The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-06-01

shoulder. turned and saw Walter beside
me.
"Who was that?" he asked with a nod in the
direction Of the lessening sound
Madame Malines" &c.
q III.
:, THE next train for Luxembourg, monsieurp
Tomorrow morning ct 6 o'clock"
The official hustled away, the horn sounded,
and the train which had deposited us upon the
platform Of the little station Of Pastal steamed
slowly awny. an
'Your luggage, messieurs?" inquired a
tho arm with which he pointed brass plate,
eyes"
..The messieurs go to the hotel?" "
Il am not sure,'"I answered walter, one
led Walter aede, and as looked at him I
saw that the trouble in my face was reflected in
his own.
us there any other hotel in the place."
His face was white, and no pulled at his
monstache with an uneasy hand.
Then there is no choice" said. ssWe must
60 to the Eto,le."
''You may CO." he answered "Iwont I'd
rathor spead the night iu the felds.''
was angry at his cowardice, and showed it.
1t is hive years since we were here-siuce we
met Madame Maines. OF all unlikely things in
the world, it il the lenet likely that she will be
here. Aud oven if she is, we may avoid her
Yuu surely have no fear of yourself at this time
of day. Be q man. We must find shelter for
Mary, and you must 20 with u.s."
re Welded TO my arguments, and we mounted
to the ramshackle carriage, the very same as
had borne me. that day i've years ago, to my
first and last interview with Madame Maines.
Changes had come abaut since then Walter
than over dared to hope. We were IN our
fourth yearly excursion to the continent
IL each others company, aud had dis
co'ersd when tao late. that tho only
through Postal. Walter had been SO discom-
fitted by tho discovery tina. lie had been aroused
Marys anxiety, and explanation was impossi-
Bile, as we had long sinca made compact
never to mention the name Of Madame Ma
limos in her presence We proceeded in al
| III st unbrolsen silence 10 tho hotel AS we en-
tie I'd the salon could not help glancing hur-
,irdly at tho plaza where tho ren,arka BILE
W ',nan WIN had dwelt so much in my thoughts
iial last stood in my presence. The room was
empty, save for tbs hotel servant, who came
forward to welcome us.
1t was close upon the hour of dinner, and
after short ret rement to our separate cham
bers 10 clear away the st,ins Of travel, we re-
turned to the salon, to find that meal in prog
ress The guests were Of the ordinary type
of the habitucs of Belgian summer resorts
respectable native tradesmen from Mechlin
an;l Brussels au Nimur, with their wives
nd children, with sprinkling OF Germans,
trancli and Enslish, whose warning tongues
created n vsrl.aulo Babel. At the conclusion
OF elmer the majority of the guests betook
themselves 10 Il nslghburing room, to listen to
tue Htral;s o. plnno, presided at by o young
y gi'shwonlan, anl to lounge and chat and
tirf, after the .m.ncmorial custom Of miscel-
| lan.ous ASS II m,nts Of humanity in general
The hot Il garden. seen through the glass doors
Of Tho lie. IL -nlaiser which opened on 10 it,
Looked peculiarly cool and refreshing after the
sultry heal of tho d.y; and, ordering u cup of
| c'tfec and IL cigar, went tniihsr, and t1ok my
bosquet of rhododendrons and myrtle.
The moon, low down in the violet of the
evening sEv, WAS ut tue full; the air was still
ms death. and all occ.soual mntf1sd note from
the little wonl which clothed tire swelling riso
of tho hill. whose lllck-g growing clumps of
lea!a,o wore aild"l by the evening beam, was
tnas broke tue Dronding silence of the sum-
m.r night. The fretlios wheeled and dashed
| and d,rtel III ths myrtle leaves about me; and
overhead, tho stars shone out with deepening
1t was time and place for peaceful dreams,
and my thoughts wore happy. But suddenly,
half doing in my deep conieat, my car caught
q rustic of the boughs near at hand, and, as
! turned, u form guided into the moonlight be-
fore me and voice fell OH my ear.
Bon sulr, Mr. Cord M
Isp. ang to my fee half doubling my waking
state. Tho voice laughed
You have forgotten mo, then, and your
m: mory is no better than other poopie's?"
Madame Mulines?"
"Ihe same Are you glad or sorry to meet
me, Mr.. Gordon?"
did not answer tho query in my trouble,
and she laughed again.
Troubled as WAS by her sudleE apparit:on,
thonght detactel something in her hugh
Which was not all bitterness or self .moekory,
though it was principally prompted by those
so:rowtul emotions I about to. appeal
| to her, when she spoke again.
''You need have no fear OF me, Mr.. Gordon.
wi NOT harm the pretty pair; saw them
with you when you came and avoided you
till found this chance Of speaking to you
alone"
She took seat beside mo and went on
clamiy:
''Tney are happy, and my own sorrows have
taught me at least this much--that happiness is
so raro thing, and lasts short time, that
it should be loft to live out its own brief life
Trouble will como to them, as to all, soon
enough. You neo>l not think that any act of
mine Evil will hasten it Try arc happy hop0
the old days, I ever dared to hope"
"When do you go?" she asked suddenly,
after a minutes silence
'sBy the first train tomorrow morning."
| answered.
$50 soon? Then. will you promise mo ono
thing, Mr.. Gordon?''
"Cerialnly."
IT have something to show you. Will you
come to my sitting-room and sec it? No, not
now," she said, as l half rose: ito morrow
morning, before you start. Do not think it
will be too early; shall be waiting for you.
You promise? Very many thanks"
Ipromisel, wondering what this might mean !;
and she went away as quietly as she had
come after giving me tho number of her room.
Her hand, as it touched mine in parting, was
like Ice.
Whom went within my face betrayed that
something unexpected hud happened, sup
pose, for both Walter aud Mary questioned me
as to my disturbed appearance. i put them of
with some commonplace reply, and soon retired
to bed. but not to sleep, passing tho night
in thinking of the strange hazard which had
again thrown ME in the path of this strange
woman.
Early in the morning rose and performed
my toilet, looking forward to the coming inter-
view with feelings OF doubt and wonder. What
myself over and over again. At last, weary of
asking and finding no answer. left my room
and passed along the corridor leading to tho
chamber in which my rendezvous was appoint
cd. Tho door stood half open. I Knocked
lightly, and received no answer, though re-
peatsd the summons some three or
four times. I entered, and looked
about me-. Through tho half-closed shutters
fell one broad band of golden light upon the
| floor The place was empty. There was q
faint, sicliy perfume in the air, which as
surcdly was not born of any of tho flowers
whose petals trembled in the morning light
Stay; what was that? It lay back. shrouted