The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-10-17
by, bring at last the dreaded time 81

W. 0AsuS Nv A1ot VIC OE09U0O tlWo VI
parting.
"Whois the drone now, Thalia Rivers,
1 should like to he informed" 9? exclsim-
cd Ida one evening coming into her
cousin. room fully arraved in an ex-
quisite ball costume. 1T is almost
time to be going and here you sit with
that everlasting picture in your hand !!
Thalia! Thalia! haven't you forgotten
that nonsense yet?"
No, Thalia has not forgotten, al
though the last three years has been o
bewildering time to the girls shrinking,
retiring nature. She is growing more
accustomed now to the thousand de-
mands end forms of society, but they
weary her infinitely.
Not one word since their parting hos
she heard from her lover; but. as she
had truly told him, neither time nor
place con change her heart," and deep
down in its pure recesses is still en-
shrined one handsome. dark face, with
grave brow and speaking eyes.
"What do you think Renie Andrews
told me this morning?" Ida says a
month later.
"I'm sure I don't know" Thalia re-
plies, looking up from tho book she
was reading.
Well, what would you soy if my cor
oneted destiny were even now on his
way to England? Renie tells me that
her cousin from Ireland is to arrive in
time for her fete, and that with him is
to come q veritable Crmsus and heir
to q prospective title. Renie says that
he is handsome, too, for she has seen
his picture. ] tell you whit, Thalia,
feel in my bones-as nurse used to say
that this young stranger will not re-
turn to his anccstorol acres as unen-
numbered as he comes. Some English
girl will certainly captivate him; and
why should it not be your humble SER
vant?"
BY the time her cousin finishes
Thalia's face is full of the amusement
she cannot repress; but Ida is too much
engrossed with her pleasant fancies to
notice or he offended. That same after
noon the postman brings letter to
Thalia, address in bold, manly cllarac.
ters. She has never seen Harry's writ
ing, and yet her fingers tremble, and her
soft cheek fiushes, as she opens the en-
velope; for something tells her whese
hand penned her name. Inside are only
few lines:-
DARLING THALIA-Gf may still call
You so)-This day in which 1 write
brings you your twenty-irst birthday,
and the end Of the period of our pro-
baton. If you remember and still I'D.
here to the words you said as we parted,
send to me cluster of flowers like to
those Itook from you as RENE mbrance,
and which have worn ever since close
to the heart that beats now as fervently
for you, and you only, as it did then,
three years ago.
HARRY"
An address follows. The next mail
bears with it Thalin's answer. What it
is the reader may surmise.
The two weeks glide by, and n
length, to Ida's great delight, the day
Of the looked forward to garden fcte
dawns Ida looks regally handsome.
Thalia's quaint simplicity of dress suits
the girlish style we'll. The afternoon
is waning, and as yet no distinguished
stranger has made his appearance.
1t is warm, and. o little tired by g
game of lawn-tennis, Thalia strolls of
to rustic seat. Throwing aside he,
hat, she leans her head upon her hand
and for while loses herself in u lapp,
day-dream. Suddenly q step approach
es, and u we'll Remembered voice speaks
her name!
With startled eyes, ITALIA springs te
her feet to find herself drawn to 9
manipulating heart.
DO you know me, Thalia?"
"Yes, she whispered; "it is my lover
come back to me-.
He laughs-a joyous laugh.
MY constant darling!" he murmured
"And you still are ready and willing tc
leave your luxurious homo and become
poor mans wife?"
1--WE will not be poor, Harry, for We
shall be rich in love-"
A look of almost adoring affection
fills the young mans earnest eyes u.
they rest upon the sweet, downcasl
face.
II have something to tell you, little
one," he says, "that will surprise you
1 went to ireland expecting to find 9
relative, old, poor and needy; I found
an uncle, titled, and the solo reprcsen,
tative of q rich and powerful family
His letter had been worded thus to try
me. He was in need, he said of affec.
tion. Ifound him waiting and longing
to extend to mo the fathers love had
never known, and stand here to-day as
his heir, waiting to claim tho vito who
loved mo when poor and obscure, and
who thrust, will care for Mo just u.
much in my changed circumstances.
"You are lucky little thing!" Idt
says, when the truth is made known te
her, "and I think your case proves thai
after all it does pay to be constant ant
true"
And much to her worldly mothers
chagrin year latter, instead of waiting
for the often talked ofcoronet, Ida gives
her handsome self, indifference ant
listlessness left behind to q poor young
bank clerk whose only claim to consid.
GRAFTON is an honest, loving heart.