The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-02-15

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ltso. "a oses - Nod ~ O. 49,
d9ee WSatlne 1be hin. D ,briahk, Wolto
| i1Remilo % her lips. . "a
AHe epfan8 % H. sespe III ea$oAine
her hand, ki1aod it warmly. Z.
II could almost imagins this home
aud Won" r ies9 ~
But snatching her hand away, che
hastily retreated to tho little kitchon,
whore Letie's younger sisters were put
tinR away dishes and pots and pans.
At last Il Was all ready for habitataon,
and they went through the house q
merry inspecting party, late one after
noon, but when they ref ched tho parlor,
the younger people went on out into
| the garden, leaving Roy aud Allie alone
A small fire had been ktndled In the
CRATE, for IL was September. and frosty,
and the girl sat down before Il 10 warm
her hands. She looked rather pale and
tagged out, not from physical labor, but
mental unrest
Roy stood on the hearth rug near her,
and whom she started up unable to on,
dure his earnest steadksst look any
longer, he gently detained her.
"Your work and mine has been I'm
ished here, but must we part? Will you
not marry me. Allie-be my dear, hon
ored wife? I love you 30 truly, dar
ling!n
'You have learned the lesson Quick.
~ she said. striving hard to keep COO
"Bus none the less surely, my dearest
you will say yea"
mo, mol" she cried, sharply, findin,
It terribly hard to resist his tend erness
II have resolved never to marry. NJ
mother IL an invalid. She needs me, an(
my duty IL 10 remain with her"
Eyes, know all yIur trials. I onl,
ask to share your duties. not to take yei
from them. Your mother shall be my
mother, and together ne shall take car,
OF her. am lonely Fellow, Allie.
mo. will not be tempted. 70,
would feel burdened after awhile, an,
wish that you had been lees RASH"
He drew back, . change passing ovel
bis face.
"Do you really think tha.s Is thu
your opinion of me?".
Then I will not trouble you any long
er!'
And before she could make any reply
he had left the room, and the houss.
A moment of brcathless silence, an,
then she called to him to come back
that she had overrated her strengtii-sl,,
could not make the sacrifice. But HI
did not hear. and only the children
rushed in to tell her it was time to q,
home.
The next day she returned home, an,
to work; hut not much satisfaction did
she feel, and none at all when her moth
or, in one Of their long confidential talks
told her it was her dearest wish to sc,
her married.
Allie never breathed . word abou
down on her mothers knee, with q lonI
qnivsring sigh.
When she returned home from work
one evening q few weeks later, I.el
mo her innocentlv crushed the last liz;
gering hope she bright have cherished
| Oy telling her that q gentleman haC
called to see her.
"a Mr.. Roy Stuart from Australia. HI
called to bid you goodbye before going
to Australia"
"To Australia? Then I shall never
see him again." she thought. pale and
faint with bitter disappointment.
| After that she settled down In earn
est; and when, after a year from the
date of her marriage, Lettie wrote, urg
ling her to take another holiday, she
consented knowing that to keep up hel
strength she must rest occasionally.
Her happy friend bad Thousand
things to tell, but not once did she men
ton Roy Stusrt's name, aid Allie could
not question her.
In the evening she went into the par.
lor and sat down, as on that other
evening when she had 90 rashly thrown
her happiness away. She looked into
the fire. 60 busy with bitter.sweet mem
cries she did not hear the door open, OF
turn to see who entered-untila weil-re
membersd voice said,-
"Good evening, Mrs. Wooton, Arthur
s'Mr. Stuart ts it possible?"
Then they stood, hand clasping hand,
looking ut each other with silent lips,
but eloquent eyes.
II thought you were in Australia"
said Allie at last, her glan:e falling.
"No returned few days ago. Can
1t be true you are glad to see me?"
sis it hard to realize?" she said, In {
lowIvery low tone. her checks deeply
ooh. yes after your unkind treatmen
Last Time We were together in this ROOM
Ibid I behave badly?"
"Yes, cruelty"
"And IL it too late to make anends9'
Her eyes were sparkling. and Q dsmurs
little smile played round her lips.
mot Il you-..-.Allie, you are NC
"Dos ! look like it, All! Roy. l hay,
been miserablel" she cried, tears rush
ing to her eyes.
"a. .A9 9.! 60 have I, my darlinsl" b,
ut was all . MISTAKE. could not b,
strongmindei and sacrifice myself; ans
then-and then, it waenot desired. i
you had not been 90 hasty-"
And ifyou had not been 20 dlsteust
tul. Dear wife Of mine, kiss me, for 70
giveness. for Joy. and then for . plsdgi
OF future peace. That dream home seem
very near tonight"