The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-11-07
1 YsUIelI ScIIlIgl. J

Aob IN oQto t0At SW00l0 % tno noos pan, Il
unused Jean HSost alond, clasping her hands
asoand be- lnsss, Ind looling up through ~
tres at . htas patch Of clsAr sly Ghining
dow. bstwesn ths leaves 't1Gr. Stuart y risA
md handsome;n here che siehsd without my
known reason. sspAnbe ought 10 marry him
-she must Do it-and let that stupid Jshn
Barnard 60. Iamsure e-posiavely sure VIC
4 10 match.s
II was Sunday afternoon, and Jean at cut
under abig oak tree In the front yard A book
Ayon the grass beside her, and 8 little Grip
pied chicken, rescued from thshorse lot nest
I'D tn fold of her buH linen gown.
6he was . supple, slenderg girl, olive-skinned,
srey- eyed and blsok-haired, and Just border.
ing ON eighteen.
With the calm conAdence ofinexperience and
positive ignorance, she had made up hermin 10
NEEDLE In every delicate matser-namelys love
AFFAIR.
The SCOTS were country people, owned .
good farm and lived comfortably, and John
Barnard, . neighboring farmer, had long loved
Phoebe, the eldest daughter Of the house and .
very pretty girl Of twenty. .
Tho matter had not disturbed Jean until Two
Aings occurred Her father suffered some re-
verses Of fortune, and Victor came up from
New Orleans g79
She felt peculiarly grateful to him, for he was
not only young, handsome and rich, but he
bad also saved her life on certain occasion,
when she had more reckless than wise, in run.
mig horse race with her brother
Her pony took 1t into his head to run away,
and Miss Jeans white neck might have besn
snce Of Nj. Stuart who throw himself In
front Of the unruly horse and checked him.
That encounter ledto 0 closer Acquaintance
With the family, and the young man had called
He rode up to the gate and dismounted,
while Jean sat on the grass and meditated ON
The color leaped to her cheeks at sight Of
him, and thrill shot through her heart How
happy any woman might be to win his love-
he looked 80 brave and handsome
Now she had always been little ehy before
him; but to-day she rose to meet him with .
smile, and slim hand extended
The gentleman replied warmly to her friend
sYou tske compassion on all afflicted crea-
trres!1 he remarked, glsncing down At the lit
NTH its broken leg bound up with piece Of
linen.
Jean lifted it tenderly.
"Ah, yes: Poor little weakling! It's life is
ent frail thing, but precious to it no doubt
wili mot keepyoa standing out here go -'''
1T is very pleasant, Il"
ssBut much pleasalter in the house, she
said hastily, confused by the way his eyes
dwslt upon her. "Go in, Mr.. Stuart
will you come also!"
hav no<l< <ort AL n1,S
yes, sir, perhaps. Phebei is in the parlor."
And when he had reluctantly departed, she
sat down again and hid her face in her hands,
her heart beating quick and loud
'1is only his way-only his way, and / am .
foolish, weak-minied creature to allow his
mo-"
scold herself for it
Another young man had arrived on the scene,
and she mus. prepare to meet him
81, and from her childhood Jean had known
and liked him; but to-day she must crush any
preeumptuOus hopes he might possibly enter
lain regarding Phoebe.
"Good evening, Jean"
She had picked up her book again, and was
apparently much interested in ii, for all II was
wrong end up.
''Good evening, John, in calmly patroniz-
ing tone.
us Phoebe at homer
eyes; she is in the parlor, entertaining COM
pany."
Entertaining company"
"Yes-Mr. Stewart"
.'He here sgain?" said poor John Barnard,
faint spark of jealousy in his heart gathering
head aud strength.
m the sitting room. The boys not athoms,
Sm sorry to say,
''Oh no; IN just go on back home. sup
pose that the fellow will stay all the after.
noon"
But hardly had NJ BARNARD ri ridden G defect
edly away when Victor Stuart came ont again
'sGoing 80 carly?" said Jean, arching her
pretty dark brows in surprise
Eyes have an engagement to Sine in town.
But first give me rose
One rose-but one, by those fair fingers Guild
We're worth hundred kisses pressed on lips
Less exquisite than thinc?n
he quoted, too low for her to catch the full
meaning of the words.
She hurriedly plucked handful Of half
blown creamy roses, and gave them to him.
But not another glance could he win from
her, though tell tale color stole up her soft
throat into her cheeks, betraying confusion
and tumult Of heart, and ho rode gaily away,
half crushing tho sweet rose against his lips.
4uC buu lhu OtOppCI uuCl lOW0r In L0o
west, and the yard was all in deep purplish
shade, when Phnbe came out where her young
or sister reposed on the grass, her hands
clasped over her knees, her eyes like tho eyes
Of q dreamer.
''Whst are You thinking about!" inquired
Miss Scott.
Nothing" starting up.
interesting subject. 'You have been COM
pletely abcor5ei What dull dsy this has
been! thought perhaps John Bernard would
come, looking carefully at her plump white
hands.
"He did, but sent him away" said Jean
firmly.
.'sent him away"
eyes"
"Why?"
because Mr.. Stuart was here, and did
not suppose you would care to be disturbed
s'You take good deal for granted. What
do care for Mi. Stuart. If you have offended
Mr.. John Bernard, will never forgive you
never!"
And placid Phebe's eyes flashed, aud she
turned away in anger.
'Good gracious! does she really love him,
and am acrificing my sister to heartless
atch-making machine! But how can she love
him after seeing Mr.. Stuart? Girls are queer
creatures!" unused jean, somewhat troubled at
the mischief she had made.
Shc felt positively guilty when, waking one
night, she heard her sister signing.
A week had passed, but the jealous young
farmer kept to his own grounds-at least the
SCOTS did not zee anything of him.
"What is the matter, Phoebe" Jean inquired
tenderly.
s'Nothing at ALL"
care you NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
dragging the words out hesitatingly.
"Well, am sorry you wounded tho feelings
Of one who has always been our friend"
$50 am but did it for your good Iprom-
be you will never NEEDLE again"
ssSThv did flO itSn ourioY,s1v
And then Jean made q clean confession of
her atch-lmaking.
''But, Of ofcourse, il you intend to grieve your
eyes ont about John Barnard give up the
whole affair"
Phoebe listened first rather shocked, then
greatly amused
.'O6, you blind, silly child. What q mad
scheme. Mr.. Stuart cares no more for me
than any other Indifferent acquaintance. Do
you think he loves me."
II think he would II you encouraged him
Why shouldn't he! You are sweet and love-
"
Phoebe leaned over and kissed her, touched
by her honest love and admiration.
There child, go to sleep; for you seem To-
be eight instead Of eighteen"
Now Jean longed to undo her work-to bring
back her sisters lOve-but not word of this
did che breathe. It were best left untalked Of
until accomplished she wisely thought
And fate threw the chance in her way the
very next afternoon.
Returning from the village she met John
Barnard face to face in the rosd
'sWhy, how do you do, John? Where have
you been this week pasty" she said with .
friendly smile.
az home. he rather grufhy replied.
"Why have you not been round to SEQ us?"
nidrSk I'm l>a~y