The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-02-13

She was rock to arguments and per-
madons. She was her fathers own
daughter. After all, her spirit and de.
termination demanded admiration. I
gave it grudgingly enough, feeling as if
l should enjoy scolding her soundiy and
then kissing her.
took the box and chose to leave her
with the impression that I disapproved
totally ofherself and her determinations.
sat down to hard work over the pa-
pers, and when morning dawned could
talk definitely about the state of affairs.
| Well, they were in very bad way,
indeed. ! made no effort to mince
things to Josepha, who had made me an
early call. She gave o little gasp,
turned her back on me, and walked
straight to the window.
fell-drizzle, drizzle, drizzle. She
could see the gray shaft which marked
her fathers grave. Il was dreadful!
The clock licked on and on.
"Josepha!" (Anything to break this
stormy silence.)
No reply.
"You are not legally bound to pay
these debts. All tie law can do is 70
claim the estate"
Perhaps she heard. She turned her
head tribe.
II do wish you would be more like
people. Here I am with more money
than I can use. Borrow of me. Your
false notions will benefit nobody, and
q for your pride, call it foolishness.
At any rate, stay here at Deerwood. I
will go away willingly if it will be
pleasanter in any way for you. Letme,
% your fathers old friend, advise you. -
"Did rate your friendship land as
it is very, very dear to me) above the
duty I owe to the dead my conscience
should prove unworthy of it. Risking
the loss of your regard, major, I must
still adhere to my course"
She scratched off two advertise
ments, handing them to me as she rose
"Wanted-Position as governess," and
''For sale-Hanlilton place." were the
headings. Ibid my best to obtain her
consent to tearing up the first, but all
she would say was, ''Do not urge me-"
How like she was to Oswald, with
that square jaw, that firm, clear tone,
and imperious pose.
And so perhaps because of the remind
err Igainsaid her no longer. Governess
she should be, if she wished, and
Josepha went home as pleased as any
headstrong girl who has had her own
way.
In pursuance of plan to head her off
l sent telegram to Reg. The idea of
her not loving such fine, manly true
hearted fellow. the best man ever inside
q lieutenant's uniform. He had only to
ask to wed anywhere. Hecame as soon
as he could get leave. They were off in
q fortnight.
I told him Of Josepha's resolves.
"There is one power that will stop
her."
"And that, uncle?"
''Love." Profound sigh from Reg,
but no disposition to open his mouth.
"Do you try your luck again? Re-
member the old rule about two neg
atives. I have observed the young
woman pretty closely, and think you
will succeed. Tell her that in case she
consents to make us the happiest ofmen
you are to give up your commission and
come into my firm at once. Pshaw,
boy! Don't look SO dazzled, I have in
tended it all along; only take time by
the forelock, you know. There, you
young bear Would you hug me to death?
Go along with you! Tell Josepha when
you find her that ON eccentric old duff
fer who has taken fancy to the place
offered G25, 900 to-day for it. and that
being by oil odds more than she can ex-
pect to have offered again, Itook him up"
Cali right, uncle; anything more?"
He was already half out of the library.
'TeH her-no, never mind"
Reg was by this time beyond hearing.
For an hour I walked up and down
my lonely, luxurious drawing-room.
Free from restraint of Reginald's
company, the fever rose again in my
blood, my pulse beat fast, my step
quickened. Then formed hundred
plans which would aid in crushing down
my heart. I would travel; I would
trust to time; with seas and years be-
tween I would grow calmer in my feel
ings. Iwould come back and find my
happiness in Reginald's and hers. I
would give them Hamilton place for
their wedding-gift; and I imagined my
self in after years frolicking on those
green terraces with Reggies Oldest or
youngest, as the case might be. But
the fever rose again, the longing was as
strong as it was vain. was not in the
frame of mind to meet my nephew, and
as soon as my roam was saddled sprang
to her back and was off-away-I cared
not where, so I could ride this mad
ness down.
I came home late. The hardest bat
tie had ever fought I had won. had
such grip on myself that after seeing
Bess comfortably stabbed and rubbed
down, went to Reggie's room without
the least fear of self-betrayal.
But the lad was not there. A note
sticking in the mirror frame attracted
my attention. It was addressed to me.
It ran with many blot and erasure.
DEAR OLD UNcLE-It was mistake.
Josepha never really cared two pins for
me. That boy and girl affair wasn't
love at all. She told me so before, and |
ought to have known better than to go |
W AAoA 0"AOOS Ouo Jou-oAoAOS L uoA
blame you, uncle. How should you
know? She was very kind-if you can
call that sort of thing kind, and I
dare say I shall get over it, But I'm
awfully cut up, and I don't feel as if I
could face even you yet; SO I'm of, with
out waiting for you.
A line or two more SO badly blurred
as to be illegible, and great scrswl
which bore but faint resemblance to
"Reg."
Poor ladi Poor ladl He tried hard
to be CHEEKY in the farewell letter he
sent before he left the shores of old
England, but saw the heartache be-
tween the lines.
In few days I was called suddenly
to London on business, being detained
there some little time. When I re-
turned to Deerwood it was to find my
erratic young neighbor flown. Mrs.
Harwood, my estimable housekeeper,
had message for me from Miss Hamil-
ton-"she would write regularly, but I