The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-09-05

Inc door opened quietly and o dark
figure stood in the doorway. A soft
voice asked:
"Are you there, Freda3" and q the
baronet sprang eagerly forward the girl.
ish figure started violently.
"Sir Algernon! You here! Have you
seen anything Of Freda2 Welost her out
riding. She is so reckless / am afraid
she will come to . bad end one Of these
days"
I have not seen your sister. but, Lady
Dolly, please comein. Ihayes go wished
to speak to you-to see you alone again.
Take this chair. Give me the chance
to finish what I only begun to say this
morning"
The graceful girlish figure in the rid
ing habit advanced readily, and seated
itself against the dim light. The veil
tied tightly across the face could not
conceal the we'll known contour OF cheek
and lip which had from the flrst 40 be-
witshed him.
Lady Dolly-dear sDolly!" he ex-
liest woman in the world!"
Had he not been so preoccupied by
his own emotions, he might have heard
faint giggle from the object of his ad-
Grafton as he made this admission.
Yes, the lovliest-the most adorable.
Ny heart has been on fire ever since
first SOW your face"
"I'm afraid you must have been aw.
fully uncomfortable, said the soft voice,
that seemed to quiver little.
II have been living ever since that
time in strange sweet dream, in which
have been haunted by your fair face
as-as-as one is haunted by vison in
f-in-in-"
"In q nightmare" concluded the soft
voice, still tremulous; II alh very sorry" /"
Sorry! Why should you be sorry /?
Il has been the joy, the delight Of my
whole life. Dolly, dearest Dolly, !" in q
moment Sir Algernon had flung him.
self upon his knees ather feet, and had
seized her hand aud covered it with
kisses, "you know that I am yours, that
love you with my life and soul. Say
that you can love me, too, q little.
Dolly, bid me hope-say you will be
mine, and shall be Of all men, the
most happy"
But the usually self possessed and
gentle Dolly seemed quite taken aback
and frightened by this sudden declara-
tion, and tried to draw her hand away
and escape,
'tOh, don't knowl How can I telll
Oh, do let me go. Think here some
body coming"
'tSsy that you love me! Say you
will be mine!" pleaded the young lover
with ever-increasing feryor. ooh, my
love, my darling, say that you will mar
~ mel"
"oh. yes, yes-anything you like;
please let me go. Oh, yes, I'll do any
thing-only I'm sure somebody's COM
ing. Do. do go away-I know it's
Charley"
The dreaded name acted like spell.
Sir Algernon vanished like o dream,
Carrying with him the pleasant sense Of
. victory more easily gained than he
had anticipated.
Charley entered, shaking with laugh
ter.
"Well, you've been and gono and did
il now, Freddie. never enjoyed any
thing more in my life. 1t was as good
as ten plays"
"Oh, Charley who could have
thought he'd propose? I was horrid
when he began that. What did he say?"
"You accepted him, my dear. and
very wisely. too. It would have been
too bad to have blighted Dolly future.
You acted wisely and we'll"
"But he'll think he's engaged to
Dolly!" cried Freda, and therell be
some horrid scene at the dance tonight.
ought to tell Dolly, but don't like.
She'll be SO wild"
"Don't you soy word" advised the
willy Charley. I'll keep an eye on
them, and il row seems imminent I'll
summon you, and we. can explain, 1
think they will soon make it up be-
tween them afterward."
EVENING.
Sir Algernon was in state of costa
tic Joy as he dressed himself for the
dance that evening. He had done the
deed ct last. He had proposed, and
had been accepted, aud as Dolly's be-
trothed husband he felt himself as bold
as . lion.
aPoor little love how frightened she
seemed-she who has always been 80
self-possessed and calm. Perhaps she
was not as much prepared for as I
thought. Well, will finish all I have
TO say tonight. We will make up for
that second interruption. That dread
full brother shall not disturb us a third
time. Now that she has promised to be
my wife. I can face the whole world
NY tenderness shall drive all her fears
away, sweet darlingp
Sir Algernon descended TO the draw
ing-room, where waltz was going on.
Dolly was dancing, aud she was engaged
seven or eight deep already; but the
lover patiently bided his time, secure in
the strength of his position.
At last no h~,l her in his arm and
glided gently over the smooth floor,
first in the silence of satisfaction, but
with growing desire to hear her voice
again.
dolly, my darling!" he softly whis-
pered in her ear.
She drew herself slightly away, and
looked ct him in . way he did not under
stand,
"My sweet love-my Dolly, no one
can hear me. Do not be afraid. You
know you have given yourself to me"
"sir Algernon, you forget yourself
strangely" said Lady Dolly, drawing
mp her head in her most stately way.
Sadly dismsyed at such Q rebuff, Sir
Algernon drew his offended partner in
tO small room which opened from the
one in which they were dancing.
my dearest-my own Dolly-you
cannot forget what took place between
M in the boudoir to-day. We were in
tefrupted, know, hut not b.dore you
had sid
"I said nothing which could warrant
such language e you hAvs Just en-.
plcysd. Iam much surprised and dir
Pasassd I'D Dolly. u her haushtist
I sDul Dolly, deAs, Dolly. !. Il
Es Iady Dolly, hyne pJsale.ss
. Il Y Y