The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-04-17
rich, but my stepmother sa, she hates
girls, ard eoyld not be induced to give
ma a nanny


"Idon'tE III understand what you mean,
sir" she stsmmered:
"There is no occasion TO i00k fright.
ened, little one, though il is very sud
den. But took . liking to you at
once, aud I cannot endure to see you
abused. 1want you for my wife, dar-
ling" :.
Oissy had had lovers before, but nev.
er one for whom she cared.
A thrill ~ tingling sweetness shot
through her veins. She fell the spell
of those magnetic dark eyes, but
Philip was q stranger, and she dared not
yield to il.
mo, no-you cannot realize what you
are saying, or else you are only laugh
ing at me?" she cried, running away and
hiding herself, with emotions singular
ly blended by rapture and alarm.
Two weeks wore on. Cissy saw no
more of the handsome artist, but she
was continually dreaming or thinking
of him.
One morning she unexpectedly receiv.
ed aletter. Il fell first into her step.
mothers hands, who, In the exercise Of
q privilege she arrogated to herself im.
mediately tore ii open and possessed
herself Of its contents. II ran thus:
II do not expect to feel proud Of grand
niece brought up in the wilds Of Yorkshire, but
II is time you saw something Of the world.
You can CONG to me for sig weeks visit II
you like. But don't expect to become my
Amy Durrant'
"Bless mel" Mrs. Moreland exclaim.
ed, startled almost out of her senses.
ut is from that miserly old woman,
your great aunt. How did she learn
your address, 1 w6nder7 And she has
actually sent a cheque for fifty pounds
to buy new outfit, and defray expenses.
Well I never!"
Cissy's heart beat high with hope and
expectation.
IL may go?" she cried, in N eager
pleading tone.
Mrs. Moreland frowned.
II don't know how to spare you, Just
as harvest is coming on. But that
grabbed old maid would be angry if I
refused to let you GO. She lives in
London, it appears. Ten pounds will
take you there, and leave some money
in your pocket, and you'll want fifteen
more for new clothes. That will leave
twenty-five for nae and my daughter
Sarah. Yes, you might as we'll begin
to get readv."
When Cissy's preparations were oil
made, and she was about setting out
upon her journey, Mrs. Moreland said !:
"Now I want you to speak q good
word for Sarah. She amt no relation
of Miss Durrant's to be sure, but the
old miser might send her q few dresses
and jewels, and never miss 'em. Take
everything that's offered you, Cissy,
and when you come back I'll divide the
things between you two girls"
Cissy was startled by the magnif-
cence of the grand house where her
grand aunt resided.
Her great aunt, wrlnkled old crone
in black velvet and lace, welcomed her
with kiss.
"You have your mothers face. my
dear. I ON glad of that"
"Oh," criel Cissy, eagerly, "do you
remember my mother?"
"Certainly. I USED tc wish she was a
boy, that 1 might leave her my m6Eay.
But girls are not of much consequence
in this world. 1 had lost all trace OF
poor Cicely. And 30 Robert is dead :
He was q good man, but sadly wanting
in energy"
"How did you find me, aunt Amelia 2?
"That's q secret" an odd twinkle in
her beady eyes. By-the-way, I see you
wear cameo brooch that was your
mothers. It was cut in Italy half q cen
tury ago. Do you know whose head it
is?"
"Yours, aunt Amy"
The old woman laughed softly.
"Yes, dear; though it does not bear
much resemblance to me now. One
changes in fifty years. There were two
cuts at the same time. have always
kept the duplicate"
It was charmed life that opened fol
Cissy. The gay city, with all its sttrac.
tions and novelties seemed like enchant.
ed land. She was thoroughly happy fol
the first time in her life.
Miss Durrant appeared quite fond oi
her, and her sweet dreams were never
interrupted by Mrs. Moreland's sharp,
rasping voice.
Six weeks went by all too quickly
and at last she was summoned to her
great-aunt's dressing-room.
"The limit of your stay has expired.
Miss Durrant said, looking at her keen.
ly. Il hope you have enjoyed yourself.
every, very much," Cissy answered
her sweet voice choking little. II
was very kind of you to invite ME here.
"Yon are ready to return homer"
whenever you think I had better go
dear aunt"
Two or three drops fell down tn,
girls pretty face. She wiped them sur
reptitlously away, but not before th,
cunning old woman had seen them.
"Cissy," she said abruptly, "whst if ]
we're to ask you to remaiu?"
The girl sprang toward her with Al
impulsive little cry.
"Will you aunt? Oh, I would be &
glad"
"You can stay upon one condition.
have learned to love you, but my viii
is made, as wrote you. It cannot b.
altered. even to please you. The bull
of my fortune goes to my half sister,
son, very worthy young man. Cissy
you can remain as his wife!
have communicated with him, and he
very willing to consent to the arrange
ment."
Cissy grew very pale. Consent t
marry q man she had never seen? Nc
that would have been impossible, eve
if Philips image did not fill all he
heart.
II must CO." she said, sadly. "Ther
is no other way"
"wait until you have met my he'll
You might change your mind"
"Never!"
Poor Cissy dropped floods of tea,
into the box with the new clothes Mi
Durrant's generosity had provided.
At last, when the good d-byes had bee
spoken, she CROPPED her way blind
down stairs. A gentleman stood nes
the drawing-room door. As she locke
up startled cry broke from her lip
Philip Staunton!"
"You here? How very strange!"