The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-11-28


Aayhsp she would die Of tue fright
New York Morning journal.
THg BRiVEST ARE K0lLRST.
Lena. You will surely not disappoint
me in this; you will not dance with
Captain Lemore again?"
But I will, Clarence;I have prom.
ised him the very next waltz, and he's
q splendid dancer! And why should ]
not be as civil to him as to others? He
is gentleman"
aH he was, he would never have made
you the subject of an unmanly boast.
Lena; refuse him all dances tonight.
ii tor no other reason, because ask it
because you are the one love Of my life,
Lena!"
The brown eyes Of the girl softened,
and she laid one white hand on his: the
light fell gently upon the two young
faces, one so fair and proud, the other
dark and wondrous lovely, as Clarence
Amherst lifted the white hand to his
lips; and then, before Lena Dale could
give the promise that trembled on her
tongue, light foot fall sounded on the
marble OF the conservatory floor, and a
tall. military figure advanced toward
them.
"Aliss Dale, our waltz" he spoke in
clear tones that told of habit of COM
mand ;and the girl, with q sudden move
ment, drew her hand from the clasp oi
her lover and, with Q warm color on her
dark cheek laid it upon his arm-the
newcomer's.
The act was prompted by q sudden,
uncomfortable shyness, ss she met the
captains cool, half-surprised glance she
had no intention of dancing with him,
and yet. how could she now decline
when her hand was on his arm and he
was leading her away2
A moment later and Clarence, who
had followed to the door of the ball
room, saw her gliding through the
waltz with the man who was his rival,
and paled to his very lips.
"You wish your engagement broken ?
You hold my conduct as blame-worthy
Sir. it is unfortunate that you allow me
to see now--before too late-how ty.
rannical you can be! Consider the
words unsaid that bound us. Here is
your ring.
Tall and beautiful, with flashing,
dusky eyes, and swiftly -pulsing bosom
she stood before Clarence; and, draw.
ing Off the cleaning circlet thst adorned
her hand, offered it to him.
elena, beloved, you do not under.
stand! L but wish to spare you future
modification! Let me explain!
Captain Lemore is waiting. lam to
dance with him. You will excuse me
from the boredom of intemperate
speeches at present. All, Captain LIE.
more!"
Clarence took no notice of the tall,
handsome captain who gave him care
essnod as, drawing Lena hand through
his arm, he led her away-that peculiar,
foreign face was anything but bea utiful
in his sight Just then.
leave me here moment. Captain
Lemore. if you please: and I wish you
would bring me an ice."
Il will be back in moment. Are
You comfortable there? I have been
selfish in urging you to dance SO often,
but 1 shall ask now only the last waltz.
/ may have that. may not?"
Lena smiled indiffereutly, as she
leaned back in her curtained corner and
gave languid assent. The tall Cap
tain pressed the hand lie had been
holding aud vanished, leaving her be-
hind the falling curtain, completely
hidden from sight.
"Captain Lemore will win his wager. !"
said voice just without her hiding
place; "he made bet to-day with
Gray and Vane that he would dance five
waltzes with Miss Dale, and he has
danced four already. Half of the men
present know of the wager and all
look for him to fail"
But matters look as if he was going
to win" said another voice. "I,wonder
what Amherst will say when he hears
I learned to-day that he is engaged to
Miss Dale"
IF he is he ought to call the captain
out; / would in his place!"
A low laugh reached Lena for reply
IS the two friends moved away; and she
crushed the spray of crimson flowers in
her white hand till they were mass of
shal,eless leaves; the red of indignant
pride surging to her dark cheek.
But Captain Lemore was instantly at
her side, holding tiny salver will, the
ice he had been sent for.
Captain Lemore," the girls voice
was low but clear as silver bell. She
moved slightly, SO that her great mid
night eyes rested fairly ON his face.
Captain Lemore, 1 have always looked
among the bravest for the nobfest. Was
I right?'
The captain smiled as he drew tiny
table to her side and placed the salyer
on it. Then stood before her towering
high in his handsome strength.
The brayest should he noblest. ~ he
said, still smiling. Always think them
so, Miss Dale.
"And yet men call you brave, Cap.
tain Lemore!"
A sudden wave of color swept his
cheek at her words. ~
And you are 80. I have heard of
the gallant charge at l., which won
your laurels; have read your name,
along with tho names of those who led
brayely and led in the cause of God and
the nation. Why, then, did you trail
the glory Of such u manhood in the
dust to-day by boasting wager, in
which woman's name was spoken !?
Why, when ]: 80 admired you IN the past,
must I despise you in the future?"
The red wave had now receded, and
his fine face was white az death; he
folded his arms across his broad chest
and looked down upon her. with dark,
burning eyes.
at was unmanly," he said, slowly ;
"unnlanly and ignoble! Beyond your
pardon, surely; and yet you do not know
the circumstances under which il was
made"
She stopped him with gesture, her
lip cnrling.
Circumstances never excuse such
things,n she said coldly, "is it neces-
cary for me to tell you that you
have lost your wager? I danes no
more.
would. not have wont" he cried
eagerly, lifting his head for q moment;
81 would have released you from your
promise, would have managed in some
wsy to have besn- true to what is within