Cavalier County farmers press. (Langdon, N.D.) 1920-1921, 1920-07-29

was the house-door wide open and
the gray light drawing another door
upon, the inner wall. And when I
looked again, there was Edie's room
open also, and De Lapp's too. and /
saw in q flash what that giving Of
presents meant upon the evening be-
fore. It was a leave-taking, and they
were gone.
My heart vas bitter against Cousin
Edie as / stood looking into her room.
To think that for the sake Of a new
conner she could leave us all without
n kindly word or as much as a
h%andshake. And he, too! I wa angry
and hurt and sore, and I went out
into the open without a word to my
father, and climbed up on to the
moors to cool my flushed face.
When 1 got up to Corriemuir I
caught my last glimpse Of Cousin
Edie. The little cutter still lay where
she had anchored, but q row-boat was
pulling out to her from the shore. In
the stern I saw a futter Of red, and
I knew that it came from her shawl.
I watched the boat reach the yacht,
and the folk climb on to her deck.
Then the anchor came up, the white
wings spread once more, and away
she dipped right out to sea. I still
saw that little red spot on the deck,
and De Lapp standing beside her.
They could see me also, for I was out
'1iraI opofrocf, tho clyu or1 fhou both
waved their hands for q long time,
but gave it up at last when they found
that I would give them no answer.
1 stood with my arms folded, feeling
as glum as eve I did in my life, until
their cutter was only a square, flick
ering patch Of white among the mists
Of the morning. 1t was breakfast
time, and the porridge upon the table,
before I got back, but I had M heart
for the food.
There's a letter here from him."
said my father, pointing to a note fold
ed up on the table. 1T was in his
room. Maybe you would read it to
u.s."
1t was addressed, in big letters, to
''The Good People Of West Inch," and
this was the note which lies before
me, all stained and faded, as I write:
My Friends: I didn't thought to have
left you so suddenly. but the matter was
in other hands than mine. Duty and
honor lave called me back to my old
comrades. This you will doubtless I'M
derstand before many days are passed.
I take your Edie with me as my wife,
and it may be that in some more peace
full time you will see us again at West
Inch. Meanwhile accept the assurance
Of my affection, and believe me that I
shall never forget the quiet months
which I spent with you at the time when
my life would have been worth a week
at the utmost had I been taken by the
Allies. But the reason of this you may
also learn some day.
Yours,
BONAVENTURE DE LISSAC.
Colonel des Voltigeurs de la Garde. ct
aide-de-camp de S. M. IEmpereur Ma
poleon.
I whistled when I came to these
words. written under his name; for
though I had long made up my mind
that our. ledger could be none other
than one of those wonderful soldiers
of whom we had heard SO much, who
had forced their way into every cap
ital Of Europe, i've only our own
still l had little thought that our roof
covered Napoleon's W aide-de-camp
and a colonel of his Guard.
80" said I, de Lissac is his name,
and not De Lapp. Well, colonel or
no, it is as we'll for him that he got
away from here before Jim laid hands
upon him. And time enough too" I
added, peeping out at the kitchen win
dow, "for there is the man himself
coming through the garden"
| ran to the door to meet him, feel
ing that l would have given a deal to
have him back in Edinburgh again.
He came running, waving a paper yer
his head, and I thought that maybe
he had had a note from Edie, and that
it was all known to him. But, as he
came up, I saw that it was a big, stiff,
yellow paper, which cracked as he
waved it, and that his eyes were dane
ing with happiness.
"Hurrah! Jock" he shouted. "Where
is Edie? Where is Edie?
What is it, man? 1 asked.
Its my diploma, Jock. I can prac-
tice when I like. It's all right. I
want to show it to Edie."
The best you can do is to forget
all about Edie," said /.
Never. have l seen a mans face
change as his did when l said these
words.
What! What dye mean. Jock
Calder?" he stammered. He let go
his hold of the precious diploma as
he spoke, and away it went over the
hedge and across the moor, where
it stuck Tapping on a whin-bush, but
| he never so much as glanced at 1t.
His eyes were bent upon me, and I
saw the devils spark. glimmer up in
the depths of them. a.,s5
"She is not worthy Of you," said i.
He gripped me by the shoulder.
"What have you donei" he whispered.
'aThis is some Of your hanky-panky.