The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-10-05

cess who or ,wn-d me onco with roses. Does
she, too, remember lt?" ~ 7ss5 ~ -
For mUmenL doubt was in her face; but as
he looked hxedly at her it vanished In GER
tainty. Asmile just touched her bright lips
1T was you, then, on whom forced my
asked How often I have nderad since"
She stopned, turned to the canvaa, and added
abruptly, 'but was child then, and here"
Here you are woman" said Carradine,
completing the un'pkoksn sentence. 1T is 30
kept the child in my heart showed me into what
she would ripen."
She did not look at him now, but at the pic
ture, as she asked him in . low voice. sxnd
whom am I 10 thank for such All honor?"
swered, and saw at once that it was no unfa-
miiisr word to her. "And yours? Through
oil these years your face has haunted me al
ways, but your name never knew"
She hesitated moment, then turned to
him.
''You never knew my name? Then think
Of me still as you have thought Of mo through
all these years" she said, q half emile linger-
ing about her mouth, but never lighting the
great dark that was shaded by some subtle
sadness. The look, the tone, transported
or circumstance, into the unreal realm Of
imagination in which HE wish was supreme
ruler.
g! have thought ofy you always as my life and
my love, " he said, half consciously, his dreamy,
blushed suddenly, and then palsd in an in
slant just then her former companion en-
tered the room.
II am Leila Auvernay," she said hastily,
and this is Cecil Wyndham, my-my bstrothed
Not another word was said. As the Young
man approached Carradiue fell back step and
looked at the two. His was fair, handsome
face, SO little marked as yet by time, that it
would be hard for an unpracticed eye to con-
lecture with what lines the shaping character
would vet stamp it Nevertheless, with one
keen gaze Carradine estimated both present
and future.
She said few low, spoken words to her COM
| panion, who presently moved toward Cara
| dine, and addressed him:
Il have the honor of speaking to Mr. Cara
| dine, tho painter Of this picture!"
Carradine bowed without speaking.
"Will you pardon me for asking il 1t is
fancy sketch?" continued Mr.. Wyndham.
".Partly 80. but suggested by the face of
| little girl, answered the artist
"But the likeness is 80 very striking" NUT
tered the young gentleman. II must lave it at
any rate. OF course you will part with tat
your own price?"
Tho picture is not for sale, /" said Carradine,
quietly. still regarding the young man with
that cool, steady gaze which had already caused
him to betray hesitation, almost confusion,
very unlike his usual easy confidence. He
seemed to have an instructive knowledge
that the artist was measuring him, and to
shrink from that measurement with uncon-
scious dread.
Carradine saw Leila Auvernay once more
before she returned to her home in distant
town. Then lie took his picture from the acad-
envy walls and hung tin his studio, where his
eyes could find it whenever he looked
away from his work. For he did not give up
| vy0rlr vat III fr;o IL
nounced him an altered man, and marveled
| what had caused 30 subtle difference. Al
ways SILENT he now seemed to live in an ideal
world OF his own; and, Whatever he might &C.
cupy himself with, there was that in his man.
ner which appeared to i'm ,ly that it was only q
temporary diversion until the coming Of some
event for which he was waiting.
30 passed half year, at the end Of which
there came letter to Carradiue. 1t was very
brief, but it was enough TO assure him of that
which he had been almost unconsciously ex-
pecting.
The latter was from Leila Auvernay. He
went to her at once. She met him with a
laughing light in her eyes sucn as hs had not
seen there when she stoo in the gallery be-
side her betrothed husband; light which re-
on him SO loug ago.
"Mr. Carraiine, " she said, IT told you tina,
my fortune was gone, but did not tell you
how utterly it had been swept away. am
| nOthlng better than beggar. Will you take
me for one of your students, for charity.
sake?"
He looked searchingly into her smiling face.
"And Mr.. Wyndham?" he asked, in q low
voice.
She laughed without so much as q flush Of
emotion.
mr. Wyndham has gone with the rest Of my
worldly possessions Did not say that had
lost everything? You ses, Mr.. Carradine. tina,
I am not Of as much worth now as my picture ,
The words, as she said them, did not seen
bitter. He took her hands.
"Leilis,n he said. ''does your loss make you
unhappy"
do look soe" she asked, gayly. las fol-
the marriage, it was my fathers wish, and to
crafty his dying request I consented-before !
knew my own heart" Here, a quick, vivit
color shot into her cheek, but she went on
sTnere never was love OH my side; and on his
well, money ID more than love-with some
natures. I do not wish to blame him."
Carradine's grasp frightened on her hands
"Leia," he said, ''once your answer put
bar between us when spoke words that were
surprised out Of my heart Would it be &c
now, if should say them once more? My
love, my life, will you come to meg"
evil come!" she repeated, looking up il
his eyes aud drawing nearer, until his arm;
silently folded about her.
And so Carradine fonnd his love at last