The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-10-26
, colonel" )" RESPONDED the sisi Sbientne II
great 10y at his arrlvsl. 81 q alons,
and q companion like thySGR = much

colonel" RESPONDED the eln %1ot41t1B 4
great Joy at his arrltsl. sI ~ Alone,
and d,a. companion like thyssR = much
"Why dost thou Aastsr mo sliafss9
But Win speak the truth. Inever Nv
thee more ssbeAutiful than thou art 20.
night. Thou has robbed the AoWefs o1
their beauty, and-"
ri thought thou wert going b speak
the. truth, colonel: but
"Do not. I orav thes, godds. Of
sesusy, . g. sddtsss ss.1a me BY my military ssls'
"Weil, Pierre, them" she huehsd.
'But let Us be seated. mon cher. !
have something important 10 ny 70
thee."
The rosy theeks Of the empress maid
of honor grew pale d tIe. c,lonels last
remark, and shs turned kef Hsco from
him that he might not mark the cltaugs.
She knew what that something impor.
tant" was to te. and she decided TO hear
it. Colonel Joclyh fiaa long pretended
to love her, and as he was d avoHite Of
the emperor's, she had permitted bis
visits. She knew that he was one Of the
most notorious roues in the city Of Paris
snd that he hsd repeatedly used her
Meuo ~ tuo CatU 0uN W!n0 soUs0ot
smong drunken associates. The emper.
st. Pierre knew him: and he intendsd
to besto1 upon his fsvorite the bseuta.
FIJI and titled maid OF. honor. 1fasts
would have fed the palSee St tho thought
Of receiving visits FROM this dissolute
ipan; had che not been 90 attached to
the empress and her little son, the
king of Ronye. SO che received the coli
onel, and put on & cheerful counte-
nance, while she secretly l6stl,ed him.
The colonel led the trembling gill to q
seat, and began a string of fiatteries. in
the midst of which she interrupted him.
pierre, youth and beauty are twin
sisters" she sid; f'knd ! will not listen
to any more Of thy ffattefies. Thou
saidst thou fadst something important
to say to me, and am eager to hear II" !"
"lerhaps thou would'st not be 90 ca.
get thou kpewest what It was," he said
at randoh. ,--s
Marie's cheeks aeain grew pale, and
the colonel saw the change: =.
II am not bearer of evil tftiMga," !"
he said. sFor aught I know to the
C. ntrary, thy relations in Burgundy are
living. I left my officers at the supper
table to nit by thy side"
She knew that he had lately drained
the cup. for his bfesth was pregnant
with the perfumes of claret.
-" must be great attra ,tion To- draw
thee from thy brother officers" she
said. allowing him to take her hand.
."Ihe greatest attraction on ear tn
Marie," lie responded. "But do you
know why came here to night?"
He had grown excited. and had laid
aside the lover.like expressions.
." do not. Pierre" answered Marie,
unless It was to tell ME something i'm.
portant."
-, "Ah! you have guessed It," be cried.
sans and 70 esss ask . 5ssona SSs
Thou art surely jesting, colonel"
words. dyes, / know thou dost Jest.
You wouldst not wish to rob the EN-.
press Of her first Maid of Hpnor?'
Yes, Marie; the empress will forgive
me-"
But the King of Rome, never. He
is devotedly attached to me-"
He is young, and will soon forget
you: But you have not answered me.
Will YOU exchange your position Tor the
love of a colonel?"
1T would depend upon whom the
colonel was"
s'Myself, for instance"
eThe I answer negatively"
The words were firmly spoken, and
the soldier perceived ttlat she no longer
jested. His disappointment was instant
iy changed 10 rage and, aided by wine,
it quickly broke fortl.
The young girl was forced to close her
ears with her delicate fingers TO shut out
tho abuse the intoxicated officer heaped
upon her. At last, finding that his oaths
were not heard in furious ,,assion tile
colonel strobe from the apartment.
"Fire Of Heaveny' he cried, when he
gained the street: III have lost my bet!
Curse my i'll luck! But" hS ground his
teeth in very rage, 'sbe shall yet be
mine. Her other lover, Major Vramont,
must be put out Of the way, and the
sooner the better. This very nioht.-
yea, this hour 1 Will to work. He etfec.
tually silenced, and the. great obstacle ID
removed. 10 work, fifffe J0ciyn q
charge can easily be trumped up."
He walked away towards his bafracxs.
while Marie covered trembling in her
apartment