The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-10-17
THALIA's LOVER.

"What an industrious little thing you
are, Thalia! I, for one, fear that il
mamma relied for her three quarts Of
berries upon me she would have to do
without"
So saying handsome Ida Minturn
leans her head upon her white hand
while she watches languidly her cousins
busy movements.
Tits o sweet arch face that Thalia
lifts to her as she smilingly answers:
"Tired already? Ida, I do believe you
were born to be drone in the hive. Ev.
cry thing seems to weary you except to
going parties and"-
Flirting, I suppose you would finish
with. Well, you are not far wrong;
snd, by and bye, Thalia, had new
and delightful subject upon which to
Try my powers of fascination. Pa should
have thought twice before he engaged
such o handsome overseer. To he sure,
he is rather cold and distant; but you'll
see yet how expressive con make his
lrak eyes look"
A delicate pink rushes to the young
n girls fair face as she springs to her
feet, almost dropping her basket of ber-
ries.
"Ida Minturn, I ON ashamed of you!
Indeed, I was going to finish my som
tence in no such way. I detest the very
word of Irritation, and I do not believe
Mr.. Holmes would stoop to such a
thing"
"Thalia, how seriously you do take
things! If you could see how dramatic
you look-gory, outstretched hand and
all! But here comes Mr.. Holmes him
self. believe I will tell him of your
enthusiastic defense. I doubt not but
It would amuse him."
"Oh. Ida, please DON'T"
And Thalia's cheeks grow to the deep
est rose as she pleads.
But there is no need for fear, as, with
merely grave, courteous lift of his
straw hat, Mr.. Holmes passes on to
where, in q distant part of the field,
some ten men are engaged at their
work.
The golden summer months fit gen.
tly by and it is not hong before It is
plainly evident to all eyes but Mrs.
Minturn's how affairs are tending be-
tween the handsome young overseer of
the farm and the gentle young girl who
Tor the past three years has made her
home with her aunt.
II think he's perfectly splendidp Ida
says candidly as with many bushes
Thalia confesses the fact of her engage
ment. s'But mamma will never con-
sent, and I myself think you're very
foolish. Thalia Love is all we'll
enough, but for one have too much
ambition to throw myself away on q
poor young man. / look for coronet
at the very least, and you with your
pretty face, might certainly do better. IS
"Better! All, no! And Thalia's face
is more than pretty-bcautiful--as she
speaks. "My Harry is noble and good.
What could be better than that? And
If ho is poor, am too, but / count my
self rich in his Lowell"
Ida is right in prognosticating her
mothers disapproval.
"Engaged! And to man not worth
> penny, and of whose family one
knows nothing about! Thalia, I am
sh ocked. Ihave seen that you were
very friendly, but had no idea of this,
Tor we have all trcactd Mr.. Holmes
with more consideration than his posi-
tion calls for. And what will your un.
Gle say? just what 1 do-that the of.
fair must be stopped at once. I am
your guardian, Thalia, and until you are
Of age you can contract no marriage
without my consent. You know that
and ! now say that this engagement
must be broken"
And all Thaliats tears and pleadings
are of no avail. Mrs. Minturn is firm
In two weeks time they will 60 to Lon.
don, and she decides in her own mind
that she shall then see that her niece is
plunged into the vortex of that fashion.
able life from which as yet her tender
years have kept her.
1t is q cruel blow to Harry Holmes,
tor, relying upon his employers eviden,
friendliness, he has suffered himself tc
build high hopes.
Three years! Oh, Thalia, your love
| WAAA hONSA ouA VAVO buCu u IcSUs
"Have no fear, Harry" Thalia an
'wers, resolutely, ''for neither time
place, nor surroundings can alter my
heart, and when our time of probation
is over, and I am my own mistress
you have only to come and demand
your own-for I shall be yours then as
now"
In the belt that clasps her slight
waist nestles cluster of daises Stoop
ing, Harry distangles them from Their
fastening.
II will keep them Thalia, as q re.
membrance of your words. And now
have something to tell you. Since
your uncle told me the other day, that
after this week, my services would be
no longer needed, I have received 6
communication from Ireland, which
has decided ME to go there at once. II
is letter from an uncle of whose exis.
tence until now lave been ignorant
But read it for yourself"
This is what Thalia reads:-
"NIY DEAR NEPHEW: have only
just learned, after long inquiry, that
my sister left a son and that lie and you
are one and the same. This letter will
undoubtedly provea surprise to you, as,
from my sisters solemn vow to me as she
left home, 1 know that you con never
have heard my name. Let me explain
At an early age your mother and my
,elf were left orphans. Time went by
and your mother became attached to
one whom beyond all others, disliked,
and for just cause.
They were engaged and married, in
spite of my vehement protestations. ]
:efused to sanction the marriage or be
present at the ceremony. Margaret had
70 the full the i1npetuous character Of
our family. On the eve of her depart
ire for her future home she came to me
md said: "Stepben, henceforth do
aot ever expect to hear aught Of
me or mine. You have chosen
to wound mo in the tenderest
feelings of my nature, and to insult
him who is now my husband. shall
never forgive you. Never again to my
dying days shall your name, or any al
fusion to you, pass my lips, I sever the
connection between us. Should have
children, they shall grow up in ignor-
ance of any relatives save those upon
their fathers side, have pledged nv