The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-05-29

up to the porch. The very old steps
where, guess, Nellie's mother and
father sat together and talked of love
and the happy, undiscovered future
during the days Of t,sear honeymoon
long, long ago. I used "a think
sometimes as I watcllo6 .yohn ind
Nellie walk how that it would >be q
pity to spoil tt,st match, for John was
Just good enough for Nellie, and Mel.
ie-well, she was entirely too yoSa for
anybody except John. All these re-
fections and many more, passed
through my mind while Nellie sat in
the parlor and talked to her miserly
old lever; end Aunt Margaret sat in
a low rocRlhg ehfit with her knitting
lying idle on her lap, willie ancle con-
tinued to read the news. -.
By and by another loud knock re-
sounded through the house, and pres
emily Andrew announced Q visitor to
see Mr.. Brandon Immediately.
looked at Aunt Margaret; she had
clasped her hands t1ertottsly togetfler.
When unele left the room ehs asked
almost bessechinsly Of me-,
81 wonder who it ean be, Margie,
can you think?"
knew her nervous state of anxiety,
and determined at once to find out
about the visitor, and, if possible, re-
lieve her fears. I crept softly into the
back parlor and tip to the folding doors,
which; owing to IN arrangement Of
heavy curtains, was often left a1ar,
through which hoped to get sight Of
the visitor. / had no sotner stolen up
to ths door than I heard footsteps III
the hall, and t:ncls ushered his visitor
into the room. It was eco late to re-
treat; what could I do? 10 pass
through into the front would be to in
trude upon Nellie end her company; to
come out from behind tie etrtsin would
he to appear like spy; SO there ftced
stonestill and waited. The first few
minutes I was too much surprised and
uneasy about my own situation to be
ftware Of WHIT was going on in the
room, when at last caught the sound
of the strangers voice; lie was saying
something like this:
ut is q very unfortunate piece OF
work, sir. I beg leave to sympathize
with you and your family; but business
is business, you know. / was sent
here to settle this matter in a respect
able manner, if possible, and I must
proceed to do it at once. Your son,
am sorry to tell you, sir, but perhaps
you know lie has lived little fast OF
late-rather too fond Of wine and evil
company"
eyes, yes," uncle said, as if impa-
tient to get at the worst.
II am sorry to tell you, SIR" Che
stranger continued, "but I think it hap.
pened while lie was under the influence
of liquor, and likely surrounded by his
evil companions. To be brief this is
the whole story: Your son has broken
into the money-safo and robbed his EN-.
ployer of $1,000.
"Robbed! o God, my boy rob
berp
shall never forget the groan with
which uncle sank back upon the hair,
from which lie had risen ut that start
ling news.
II own it looks bad, sir, but have
come to see il we can't arrange it some.
how. His employer, as you know is
your friend. He bid me say that he is
not only willing bnt anxious to shield
your family name from disgrace and
your boy from tho penitentiary, If il
can possibly be done. But the mon
ey must be efunded-there's no othel
COURSE"
Give thousand dollars impossible! =
uncle exclaimed. at would be to take
everything-to ruin my family"
II suppose nothing can be done
then, the stranger said deliberately ant
arose as If to depart.
But, wait q moment; let me think,
uncle said, leaning his head forward OF
the table by which he sat. By and by
getting up, he SAID: II will SEQ wla
can be done," and left the room. Iwa
trying in vain to think what he coulc
be about, when suddenly he re-enteret
tho room, accompanied by Mr.. Wells
Alas, thought of that miserly old MAJ
as our only means of help. Then they
oil three talked together in low ton.
of voice. 1 could only understand
word now and then of uncle's tremulou
voice. Puttingit all together, I know
he meant this: Joe must not be sent t.
the penitentiary-that would kill Aun
Margaret. The farm-the old home
stead-I know was so dear to him mus
60 before that should be done. Woul,
Mr.. Wells advance the money? TAX
ing uncle's arm he drew him aside, 8,
near by the curtain beneath which
stood concealed I thought they coult
almost hear my breathing; his voic
was low, subdued to whisper, but
could hear the name of Nellie; some
thing should be done if Nellie woult
consent. Great heavens! l thought ant
shuddered, can it be possible he will asl
for Nellie's hand in return for that
Will uncle sell one child to buy another
II cannot tell; it shall not be unles
she is wiling" Uncle said, and left tn
room. 1t seemed like an age to ME tina
stood there trembling with indigna
tion and horror. If she is willing
Will they let her be the sacrifice t
save themselves, and then say that sh
is willing; but then I thought of poo
Aunt Margaret, with bowed head an,
broken heart; something must be don,
for her. Yes, after all, it would be
noble thing for Nellie to do.
just then she entered tho room will
her father. I Icaught sight of her fac
she knew it all. had never seel
her look like that before. am sur
Uncle did not realize the extent of til
sacrifice his daughter was about t
make. would not wrong him by sup
posing that he did.
"She is here to affirm that she is will
ing," uncle said. Tie stranger locke,
up in bewildered pcrplexity. MI
Wells came forward to meet Nellie s.
ing:
'You have been made aware
importance of this step.
there is no time for need
about the matter; it,
father must go
, with the money
, need of tle'
! but if yor
riagc-
; per-