The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-04-02
THE SISTERS STRATAGEM.
BY ELISA N. MOORE.

BY ELISA NJ. MOORE.
1 am getting to be an old woman,
and Yesterday for the first time re-
visited the home d my childhood after
an absence of thirty-tivc years, during
which my second sister and l have not
dared to review those scenes which. full
as they are of tender rccollcctions,
could not fail to bring back all too viv-
idly dark tragedy which at one time
threatened to o'ershadow both our
lives. Now that the past is forever
buried. with my sisters full consent |
tell of that experience which we can
hardly realize after the lapse of years
was once our own.
The village of Westlicldcnc, where
VIC We're all born, was settled by my
grandfather on the rockbound coast of
Maine, and named after the Norfolk
village where he was himself born,
which called his father lord of the
manor. Digniiicd in his manners and
decorous in his life, he was the great
man of the village, and my father was
his worthy descendant. My brothers
seemed Indifferent to the advantages of
mn English collegiate education, but
when our Norfolk cousins offered to en-
tend their hospitality to me for three
years, that L might finish my education
and be presented at the English court,
gladly accepted. returned improv-
ed, though | would never be handsome,
and better able to cope with the world,
Mt the end Of the three years. If my
father and mother deemed that the sac
riiicc they had made in parting from
me had been too great they disguised
their opinion remarkably well. and
when I kissed mamma goodnight once
more in my own little white bed at
home she murmurcd her gratitude to
God for the safe return of her dear
daughter, whom she found all that she
could desire. decided that was the
happiest girl in America, while the flu
ture lay bright before me. The follow.
ing morning l had Il long talk with my
mother. The boys, she was glad to tell
me, were both doing well. one in her
brothers. law Office in Philadelphia,
and the other in Annapolis, awaiting
sailing orders. congratulated her on
their being out in the world, being OF
Shakespearc's opinion that
Housekeeping youths have ever homely wits
Gas to the girls, said. ''there was no,
girl presented during my time who
approached Bertha. / could almost
wish that she had had my chances,
mamma-she might marry anyone; and
Edith seems Il sweet little soul"
''They are both that" said my moth.
er, land your experience will he Of
great service to Bertha, who knows
nothing of the world, so you must moi
regret your foreign education
'Im SO relieved not to find her en-.
gagged" ! exclaimed. "All American
girls after IS appear to be atlianced te
some boy more OF less unmarried"
''Small chance of that in West
ficldcnc." said mamma. ''Thc onl,
engagement can announce is that O.
your old friend Helen Frecmour. She
is to be married shortly to Mr.. Hard
castle, whom she met in Boston,
us he one of the Hardcastles?"
asked, anxiously.
"Oh! dear, nor said mamma; 1.-THE,
are western people; but he's Il college
man and lawycr-poor, but Helen is
used TO that; and, for that matter, she
is not one Of the Freemours."
'That's true enough; but all the royal
princcsses rolled into one could not pro
aucc more refined type of womanhoot
Than lily-faced Helen. hope he is hall
worthy of her." said l.
II expect YOU II have an opportunit,
of Judging of that this evening"" sait
mamma. ''Thcy are sure to come t.
welcome YOU"
My mothers prophetic soul had moi
deceived her. Shortly after tea saw
Helen, accompanied by tall. dark
man, coming slowly up tho gar,ler
path. She looked very quccnly IN hcl
white robes, her heavy, dark hair dress
cd in Il coronet above her broad, fail
brow, and covered by white lace
scarf. l fastened to meet her, ant
there were tears i'll my eyes as claspee
her TO my heart and kissed her lips will
what was almost premOnition of com
ing calamity. OF Mr.. Hardcastle
formed no ilattcring opinion. He wal
dark. quiet, and very old-looking fol
"a, which was the age he acknowledged
to-just a year Helen's senior, there.
fore. We saw them constantly. Heller
in her unseliislmcss enjoyed any boat
ing or driving party twice as mucl
when either or both of us joined them.
l had undertaken the education of my
little sister Edith, SO it fell out that
Bertha was their usual companion
One of the maxims which my English
cousin had most impressed upon m.
was the duty of being watchful not O
bu: for my younger sisters, and wher
q weeks holiday was accorded Edith
and | was at liberty to join the young
people became aware, to my sorrow
and alarm that, while Horace Hard
castle was by his gentle betrothcd'l
side, his eyes were on my sisters love
ly face; and, what was more dangerou.
still, that while all the tender nothing.
of young love which she whispcret
softly were met with absent-mindct
indifference, the lightest word from
Bertha's lips caused his dark face t,
flush. He was of his guard Thousand
times, until l wondered at Helen
blindness. watched and made no sign
supposing Bertha to be as utterly il
the dark as my friend. We had ar
ranged an excursion to one Of the near
lying islands and l determined that a
the party was to be quite large one
would SO manage it that I could have