The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-10-12
A SISTERS VENGEANCE.

her face for kiss; and We will not invite
the world to the wedding"
! SISTERS VENGEANCE.
"A bouquet, sir2"
| Elmer Richards starts suddenly, and
Chances apprehensively at the speaker.
Surely there is nothing to fear in the lit-
tie pink-lobed figure before him with shyly
dropping Eyes, and white dimpled hands
that were now engaged in wrapping bit of
silver leuf around the stems Of bunch Of
flowers.
Bouquet. sir?" she repeats. aHere is
one am .sure you will like, myrtle and tea
roses. Shall air ange it for your"
He benas.fogward that she may pin the
blossoms on his coat. lapel.
| He, notices how small and white her hands
are and wishes she would raise her
fringed lids.
aThere; don't you like it, she says.
The price is shilling"
Elmer draws coin from his we'll filed
wallet, and lays it on the counter.
| Keep the remainder for the ca1se," he
! says.
The young girl smiles, and raises her eyes
to his.
| Can it be that he, man of the world,
who has been admired and sought by doz.
ems of beautiful women, has fallen in love
with pretty flo wer-seller OF charity fair?
He moves away, and accosts On acquaint.
ance moving around the brilliant apart
ment.
who is this young girl with the hand
some black eyes-the fower-seller?"
George Ellis looks up at his companion
with an amused smile.
What, Richards, ale you smitten?" he
says. Well, you are by no means the first
one with whom those eyes have made sad
havoc. Her name is Beatrice Irving"
Irving! Elmer gave an involuntary
start.
All, yes, that name is familiar to him.
A sad pale face rises before him with
wistful blue eyes and trembling lips.
It appeared to him once before this even
ing, when he first heard Beatrice Irivng's
voice; it haunts him all the evening, and
when the fair is over, and he returns to his
handsome apartments, he sees il still, and
beside it CLOVIS the fower-seller's brilliant
face.
Elmer Richards starts like guilty thing
as this thought comes to him; he knows
why the sweet lire ended so early; whytth
little grave was made so soon for her whose
last words were Of him-pretty Milly
Irving.
why indulge in these morbid fancies?"
he thinks. 1T is thing of the past now,
and as such should be forgotten"
SO he dismisses the sad, unpleasant
memories, and leaning back in his chair,
lights cigarette, and, watching the curling
smoke wreathes as they float upwards he
sees in their midst dim vision Of the rose-
tinted face Of Beatrice Irving, the flower
seller.
"What, Richards. are you going to snub
your friends in this manner?"
Jerry, old boy, is it your" he ex-
claims. @'Pon my honor, I did not know
YOU! Step up into my room and tell me the
news"
Nice place you've got here" SAYS
Jerry, as they enter the luxurious apart
ment.
when did you return2" Elmer asks.
aOnly two days ago" is the reply. "Been
down to see the folks; lots of company
there-a whole household. Oh, by-the-
bye, Richards, Esther sent you an invita-
ton to come down and enjoy yourself!
Nothing else on hand have you? No?
Then Of course you'll accept. 1t will be
good chance for Sou. Almosta dozen girls,
Esther says, and everyone either beauty
! OF on heiress."
@What. are you married." Elmer in
CURES.
mo, but engaged, and that amounts to
about the same thing" Jerry replies.
"Bessie Townsand-don't you remember
her? Well. she's there, too. But say, you
haven't told me whether you are coming or
not"
eyes, will come"
"Soon as possible, mind, says Jerry. "Es-
ther will be looking for you. Au revoir!"
He goes out, and few moments later Ell
mel, looking out of the window, sees his tall
form striding up the street with the same
careless, swinging gait he remembers Of
old.
| A few days later, Elmer Richards enters
train enroute for the Trows country resi-
dence. That evening he makes faultless
toilet, and descends to the lighted rooms.
Esther presents him to the other guests,
and soon he ls engaged in a lively CONVERSE
ton with Jerry's betrothed; Bessie Towns
end. Then Esther comes and carries him
off to the conservatory. AS they enter, a
recumbent figure rises, and in the dim light
Elmer sees the yellow fash of jewels.
| Are you here?" cries Esther, Miss IrV-
ing, Mr.. Richards"
| The figure takes step forward, and rag
Of light streaming through the haif-open
door, falls upon Ter face, the brilliant face
and lustrous black Of Beatrice Irving.
| Beatrice is q charming converstionaist,
and Elmer thinks it is infinitely more
agreeable to pass the time with her in the
dimly-lit observatory than to chatter with
! this one and that in the illuminated room
beyond.
At last they arise, and join the companye
| Ashley emerge into light, Elmer glance
It his companion: she looks wonderfully
fascinating tonight.
The summer days pass quickly by, and
some Of Esthers guests take their depart
ure. Beatrice Irving and Elmer Richards
blissfull summer for him, one he will
aever forget.
One morning Beatrice announces her in
tention of returning to her old homo on the
morrow, aud that day Elmer determines to
know his fate.
During the evening, he requests her to
walk with him in the garden. and she COM
plies; perhaps she has an intuition OF what
| ls coming.
A few commonplace remarks pass be-
tween them; then Elmer Richards begins
his passionate declaration of love, and Bea-
| trice listens with clasped hands and down.
| cast eyes.
As he ceases speaking, he ventures to
glance into her hnlf-averted face. 1t wears
fierce, triumphant expression, strange
look that one would not expect girl
to wear when listening to lovers plead
mgs.
She turned and faces him. and in the