The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-11-27
cerned il there was better feeling
between Won aud your nconle.N

ChdI yOu ATc, Neil. lou were UOrn
hundred years too late. But l think
love you the better as you are" rails
ing tho taper fingers to his lips.
Yielding to Il sudden impulse. she
leaned forward and touched her lips
to tho bright, boysh brow.
And Victor went down tho road tc
the mills with lighter heart than he
had known tor months. for he loved
his couisn. and her coldness and in.
difference troubled him sorciy.
just then the morning train thun-
dercd up to the little station, half a
mile distant. and left n single passcn.
ger-a tall man in a gray tweed suit.
who nodded Familiarity to the few by
ISLANDERS, and took tho path across tho
fields to the mills.
Victor was standing surrounded by
his men, looking like young god.
His straw hat was in his hand, and tho
wind ruilled his bronze curls.
He was telling them of his arrange.
mcnts for the picnic. amidst bursts OF
applause and peals of laughter, for the
young master was "always ready with
his joke"
On the outskirts of tho little group,
unnOticcd in the excitement of the mo-
mcrt. stood the tail man in the gray
tweed suit.
Suddenly he raises his eyes to the
scailolding above Victors head, and
then. no ono know quito how it hap
pened, but strong mon were thrown
right and left, us if by giants
strength.
There was sickcning crash, and
Victor was thrown. rs though he was
a child, far out of harms way.
But where he had stood moment
before lay man they all knew. pinned
down by a heavy beam across his
Ghost.
And while they stood horror-strick
Ell and appalled,, q graceful woman's
form was in their midst.
MEN," she said, in voice so un-
like her own that those who heard it
mover forgot lean you do nothing but
stand and stare like idiotsp Victor,
he has given his lifc for you, can YOU
do nothing to relieve himp Go into
the house and sec that a room is made
ready to receive him. John Stiles.
saddle the tleetest horse in the stable,
and ride for DR.. jackson rs YOU never
rode before; and tho rest of you. put
forth all your strength and lift this
BEAM"
And thoy succeeded in rcscuing tho
man, and bore him slowly and silently,
with all the strong vitality crushed
out of him, up tho road he had troddcn
SO often-up tho broad walk that had
echoed so drcarily to tho sound of his
footsteps less than year ago-into
the house that he had been forbidden
to enter again; and before them walk
ed woman with wild eyes and white,
drawn lips.
When the doctor came out of the
room, after all was done that he could
do, she met him at the door.
els there any hope, doctcr?"
II cannot tell yet. He has a strong
constitution, and VIC will hope for the
best, said the good old doctor while
the tears stood in his eyes, for he had
known and loved Stephen Walker all
his life.
Doctor" she said. grasping his arm
with passionate force. ''you must save
him--you must, you must! Take all l
have-money. lands, everything-but
save his llfe!'
You forget, my child. that the is.
sues of life and death arc not in my
hands. Ii any skill of mine can avail
to save Stephen Walkers life, l think
you know l need no bribe.''
Forgive me, doctor! l scarcely
knew what was saying. 1 know you
will do all you can, and l am good
nurse-papa always said So"
"Hclcn, YOU must not think of nurs.
ing him. This strain on your nerves
is too great; you are ill already"
She laid slim, cool hand gently in
his.
"Put your finger on my pulse. doc.
tor. 1t beats evenly. must be brave
and strong for his sake. Ii give my
life for him it would but poorly requite
what he has done for me-"
The doctor looked into tho white,
pitiful face, in which no trace of the
old pride remained. and read her Sc
crct
.lt shall be as you wish." he said
briefly; ''but you must let a nurse help
you. 1t will be q terrible ordeal, even
il he RECEIVERS
She went into the darkcned room,
where he lay in heavy stupor. and
knelt beside the couch. Presently he
opened his eyes and saw her there. A
glad smile |. h,cd his face.
'.Nell, Queen Ncll!" lie said softly,
and then '.Victor. is he safc?"
"Safe and unframed, Stephen; but
ut what cost"
cit is better so-Eetter and easier to
die thus for Your happiness than to
live through the weary years of exile
looked forward to"
''Do not talk of dying" she moancd.
You must live for my sake, for can
not live without you!''
A sudden giadncss TRANSPORTED his
face.
''Do you know what you are saving,
Helen? DO you care for me little
after ALP"
$50 much, Stephen, that if you are
taken there will be no good thing in
life left for nc but TO lie down and die,
too--so much that could never have
married Victor, though, like Il coward,
Isbrank from telling him so.'-
81 must live. DEAR" he said; Il can
not die now"
And then lie driftcd away into un-
consciousness.
1t was long days before he knew her
again-long. days, while the iron
constitution did battle with the fever
that consumed him, and oftcp when it
seemed that the battle was hopeless.
And through it all she never left
him. In that dark time. all that was
best and sweetest in Helen Finton's
nature came to the surface. She had
no thought of concealng her love; her
whole being went out in one passion.
ate prayer that he might be spared.
And when the crisis was passed. and
ho was pronounced out of danger,
there seemed to be no room in her
heart for hc- great joy and thankful
ness.
They were married, and l don't
think the most fastidious OF Helen
Vinton's friends ever looked upon her
Us having made Il mcsalliancc, for
Stephen Walker won both wealth and
honor, and never did wife glory more
in her husbands. success than she in
his.