The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-06-05
NlSNE'Tl.

A succession of decidedly audible
raps upon the door of her room broke
the enhancing spell OF auietuNo that
filled the. cosy little boudoir, and
aroused Eleanor Duncan from one of
those delicious reverics into which we
are SO apt to fall, on cold winter
evening. and bury ourselves away
from things material. With Just tho
shadow of q fruwn cloudinx her brow.
she raised her pretty head from the
crimson velvet pillow of the lounge
and, supporting herself with her 81.
bow. she asked:
''What is it, Nam map"
"Make yourself presentable, Eleanor
your coming"
Her lip curlde, then a panied, hunt.
cd expression passed swiftly over her
face.
He here! o why does ke persecuto
me with his 2ttentionsP WHY does he
rome on this night of all nights, when
want to Think" And she buried her
face in her hands.
Are you Coming. Eleanor!'
The fare Was raised, and wore an
expression of hesitancy, but it was
quickly chased away by a resoluto
compression of the lips, and she an
swered:
mo; 1 have no desire toy
"But what shall l tell Barringtonp"
"Oh, tell him anything-that / am
Ill, have retired, am not at home, that
| am dead-anything to get rid of
him.
"Eleanor are you demented? Have
YOU forgotten your engagement
.'No." sullenly. 81 remember only
too we'll, but tonight I wish to for
get 1t ~
y "Anl Barringtonp''
"rell him to GO, and also that if he
is not careful | will cast his ring and
presents into the steet."
A pause ensued, followed by the
sound OF retreating footsteps, and all
was as still as before. On the lounge,
her trim figure the least bit huddled,
lay Eleanor. sad aud fearful.
Poor VIC" she murmured, 1.-TWO
years ago tonight drove him from
Tie: because felt his superiority Of
will and mind. How he loved me.
and him; but my pride! A queen
could have been no prouder than +
Naughty, ambitious. too proud to take
advice, too weak to SEQ MY own faults.
Poor vici" She paused, and her ewes
blazed viciotisly. ''Stlli, was NOT
wholly to blame. He angercd me
with his lofty ways" He was too fond
nf giving advice. He called me lit
tie fool, told stories of my tlirtatlons
among his crQaies, and then advised
M to feform. Bah! But now, If I
could only see him, ease his pain.
nurse him in his illness, comfort him,
kneel to HIM. We are strangers for.
ever-there is nothing left but mem.
DRY. nothing but the recollection of q
dream"
She arose, the foom being q trine
cool, and threw white shall around
her shoulders in a most becot,ing
manner. She passed tho long mirror,
she paused to glance at the reflection,
and q very attravtivs and pleasing
picttre it was A pretty face. with
soft brown eyes. and full, impulsive
lips, while the wealth of dark brown
hair, unfettered, fell in waves upon the
white shall, contrasting we'll and forms
ing the browning beatty IF the pict:
lure: A half smile came to her iips.
"That picture, she miirmured; 81
could not be more like it if [ tried, and
he loved that picture SO we'll! Oh, Vic!
Vic! if you only knew!'
She stood before the mirror, her
hands clasped before her, her ewes
looking steadfastly at the image in the
glass, her face grown sadder and more
repqsed:
II thought heard voices in Elean.
prs's room," said her mother to Mr..
Duncan; and, ascending the stairs, she
listened at the door few moments.
Hearing no sound whatever, she re.
tired. wondering at her daughters in
applicable conduct.
A few moments later the door of the
room opened noiselessly, and Eleanor.
with tho shall still about her, stole
down stairs, opening and closing the
street door quietly as she passed out
into the night. Men watched her as
she passed them, nearly flying through
the almost deserted thoroughfares. and
casually remarked that some one must
be sick and needing the services Of q
physician.
Darlington, a tall, dissipated-appear.
ing man, with brutal cast of counte.
nance and an evil eye, was coming
out of cafe, when he caught q
glimpse of her face as she sped by him.
For moment he stood in blank amaze
ment, rubbing his eyes to assure him
self that he was not dreaming. then,
with q mIttered curse, he hurried af-
ter her, his teeth set, his eyes CLEAN.
ing angrily.
Il am SO sorry that you cannot go,
Victor; the services at St. Stephens
are always SO grand and impressive,
and you are so fond of music" and
Mrs. Cakes bent over her
son rs he reclined in an invalid chair,
and smoothing back his light hair
kissed him rs only a mother can.
II am sorry as WE'LL" he answered
with grateful smile; "but then it is
better that l should not 60, it is SO
cold. o, it is maddening, this help
lessness. this imprisonment. think,
that II you leave the door ajar
1 can hear the music from here. That
will do"
why, that's an idea! Well, try
and content yourself while we are
gone. for then you will be entirely
alone"
Poor vic," murmered her hus.
band as they left the house,
II fear that the worst is not over
yet. He looks 80 wasted and frail."
EYES," said Mrs. Cakes. the tears
falling from her eyes. land his illness
IS something that can only be
cured by Eleanor. Ever since she
threw him over he has been failing.
II she knew of the ruin she has
wrought, the honey Of her life would
turn to gall" -
-. -.