The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-08-28
PAULA's ROMANCE.

Two gentlemen were seated in til,
little amber-and-blue reoeption-roon
awaiting Miss Pearl Duponts coming
one blonde, faultlessly attired man O
the world, the other dark, withal trisa,
older. less handsome perhaps, but wi II
a truer character written on ever,
feature.
Il really believe that little Paula
grows prettier every day." said Roy
Marchmont. Why, she is positive
little beauty, although too charming
"For her position, interrupted Ralph
Winston, quietly.
"Pshaw, don't be a prig, Winston
Why should not a waiting maid be
pretty as we'll as any one else?"
Because their beauty too otter
proves ban"
=, His tone seemed to signify moro thu,
the mere words implied, and Ro,
Marchmont's face flushed q trifie.
What do you mean 2" he demanded.
Just what I said, generally speaking
but in this case, Marchmont, something
more. Paula Ware is pretty, but you
know as we'll as I do that You care
nothing for hcr beyond"
You are wrong. like tho girl ex.
ceedingly WE'LL"
"Would you-marrv her?"
Marchmont started, surprise, con.
sternation, hsuteur, all depicted on Iii,
handsome face; then he laughed lightly
Winston, Nv are you jestinga"
"No, / am not"
"Then you are mad. marry o wait
Ing maid, an ignorant, untutored girl
I marry Paula Ware! What induced
yon to put that query?"
ITO test you, Marchn1ont, that's all
You have sought this giA's society, wor
her favor by aattery and smooth words
and meaningless attentions, the worth
lessness of which she cannot understand
You defend your cause when would
abjudge lightly, express freely your ad-
miration and, shall I say fancy? and
then, in the next breath, scorn and ridi.
cnle her. It is not q manly part
Marchmont?"
"You are eloquent" sneered the 9TH
er. Servants are generally capable OF
taking care of their own interests"
"Paula Ware is not like the other
girls of her position. If she commits
an error it is because of her ignorance;
1T she encourages folly it is because she
docs not understand. I am heartily
sorry for her."
1t was at this juncture that Pearl Du.
points loveliness dissipated all gloom
Ter thoughts from the minds of her visit
ors, and for while Paula Ware was for.
gotten. But an hour later, on their
way out. they met her in the wide,
lighted hall.
It was not an accidental meeting, as
Ralph Winston knew, for the waiting
maids brown eyes and those of his
friend met with o sort of mutual under
standing.
Ralph had been making several OBJ
servations lately. These meetings with
Paula Ware grew more frequent as time
went oh; her brown hair with its gold
on CLEANS was worn no longer in the old
plain way, but clipped, and waved over
her forehead, and her dark, simple at
tire frightened by cluster of artificial
flowers or knot of gay ribbon.
She was little, slim creature, with
an oval, childish face. brilliant color
ing, and great, dark, lustrous eyes,
touching with their innocent, appeal
ing expression that seemed to solicit
sympathy and love.
Ralph's face nnconsciously took on q
stern look as he watched her, and
Paula, seeing this in one swift glance,
seemed to shrink from him involunta-
rily as though in fear.
Roy Marchmont had paused to ex-
change few words, and ere he left had
taken the pale rosebud from his coat
and laid it among the brown brsids.
Paula's eyes glistened with pleasure.
Are you 80 fond Of ilowers?" he
asked.
"Oh. yes. I love them dearly" she
said in her sweet, plaintive voice.
"Ibey are like living Things to me.
Aud the bright face dropped sadly.
II will send you some, since they
please you" said Roy, carelessly; but
he smiled down into the grateful face
upraised to his, and there was that in
his glance that such men as Roy March,
mont can assume to give their lightest
words the deepest significance.
"Marchmont," said Ralph, when they
were alone together, "are you not going
too far?"
Don't let my affairs trouble you"
was the light answer, and that was the
last time the subject ever came between
them for discussion.
Roy Marchmont had suite Of rooms