The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-12-18

A great hush fell upon the room a.
he finished. One could we'll believe
such a voice would "pass through the
golden gate" saw Il strange moved
expression on MIR. Hardyngo's face
tho quiet old bachelor 1 have men
toned before; and as for Miss Yer.
inder, did not like to look at her;
knew that there were tears in he,
bright young eyes.
And after "The Message he gave
us "For Ever aud For Ever" and "Thc
Distant Shore" He would have sung
all night. I tn nix. il the loud clang
OF the tea bell had not sounded out,
bringing us all back to the world
around us.
He dropped his hands from the
keys quite startled.
"Oh! it's only the tea bell. Arc we
expected to cat again? But l have ,n-
tlictcd myself upon YOU"
81 could listen forever" said the
girl, with that soft lovely light still on
her face.
l am a foolish old woman, l know;
but l caught myself hoping he was not
too blind to see it,
"Miss Verindcr. will you not lot me
get you some teap" broke in tho Cam
brid 20 man, Mr.. Hoare, rs found out
his name was. He had been watching
tho changes in tho girls face all
through the singing.
Well. he was old enough to be her
father. and he was almost blind. and
vas grave and odd-looking besides.
while she was tho sweetest. freshest
bit OF womanhood. Young even for
her twenty years. And yet somehow
those two. Mr.. Corset and Alice Yer
lndcr. were drawn to each other from
that very first night, 1 think. Perhaps
it was Jack. perhaps it was tho music,
or that child's sweet womanly heart
was moved to pity the lonely afflicted
man. She was SO watch. Ill of him at
meal times. would try in her pretty
way to interest hlm, to drive the shad-
ows from his taco; would pay HIM
such sweet Difference He was al
ways quiet. always silent and reserved.
1t Il not seem to me that he took
much notice of what would have rails
ell Il young man to tho seventh heaven
OF happ ness. l came on them one
morning out among the ilowcrs-he
walking MP and-hown slowly and care
fully. as an almost blind man does,
sh" spr.nying out in her joy-
GUS way. gown all ruilled with
embroidery. wide hat shading
her sweet faeo, tho sunlight on
the mass "f crisp hair beneath.
They said Good morn ng" to each
other. and then she spoke to the dog.
Between her two admirers Miss
Vcrinder ought to have acquired much
useful information during that sweet
summer holiday. Young Hoarc took
possession of her ut once. heard
her bli,he laugh as she answered some
remark of his. They made IL hand
some couple, thought; sho so fair
and slim, he so tall and dark and
broad shouldcred. and both with that
wonderful light of youth on their
faces.
''He is q handsome fellow" Mr..
Gorst said; and knew he had OWNED
my thoughts. He WAS wonderfully
sharp for all his bl ndncss.
! scarcely knew how long had been
writing. 1t was letter to dear old
friend of mine, and had for little
while forgotten my surroundings,
when Mrs. Colquhoun's wearisomo
voice forced itself on my attention.
She had exhausted her newspaper,
and Mrs. Vcr'ndcr having just come
in. she had thrilling piece of gossip
to unfold to her.
"Quitc shocking. Mrs. Vcrinder! 1
was SO frightened could not sleep
again. Mr.. Gorst, you know, he came
down the corridor last night perfectly
drunk, stumbling over everything.
He tried to burst into my room, but
fortunately l always keep the door
locked; and he felt about the room
and talked 10 himself half tho night.
Quite shocking. is it notP These pro-
fessional sort of people are always
and being blind seem to
mako it SO much worse. Really. Mrs.
Verinder, don't you think we ladies
ought to take some steps to show what
We think of such conduct?"
Mrs. Verinder made some feeble
sound of horror. was too pctritied
to say aDyth ny.
Ii this was story. it was rather
worse one than usual; If it was true
But what was tn 8 indignant young
figure that started up from my side?
''lt is not true, mother-I am sure
it is not true. Oh, it is a shame. to
tell such stories of anyone! Mr.. Gorst
is a gentleman; he would scorn to do
such things Oh. it is cruel! People
ought to spare him. at least"
The child looked transformed, her
cheeks blazing, her brown eyes spark.
ling.
"Allce. Alice! said her. mother.
"It is the injustice of it, mother
that 10 what 1 mind"
Mrs. Colquhoun was Strengthening
her spectacles and looking up at the
Indignant girl with NAL cious smile.
l knew what a story sho would
make of this. and though l could not
but admire Alicc's generous cham.
l felt sorry she could have
lrawn this w"man's unscrupulous
tongue upon her.
She was still standing there, with
her full young figure drawn up. and
.cr scornful face. and Mrs. Colquhoun
had just opened her lips for u crush
ng rctort. when behold standing
amongst us MIR. Gorst himself, per-
|cctly calm and unmovcd 10 all out.
ward appearance.
Had thunderbolt fallen amongst
us we could not have looked more as
Mrs. Colquhoun's face
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