The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-04-02

llSs oulACi AuS WStlOtlCI, uOWs
ever. proved threatening, and our pic
mic was postponed. Late in the after
noon. as the storm still held off, wan
dcrcd toward wood which lay inland
about half mile to the back OF our
house in search of botanical specimens.
was not very successful, and was
turning homeward, when was startled
by hearing my sisters voice raised in
passionate cntreaiy. "Oh!" she cried,
show can you ask it of me? Only re-
member poor Helen; what would she
say? what could she think?"
"What does that matter when our
life's happiness is ut stake?" said the
voice l had expected to hcar-that of
MIR. Hardc;lstlc.
go, co." said Bertha; 1.-THE rain is
coming on, and must get home"
heard the crushing of the UNDER
wood as he left her side, and only wait
ed until my sister was well on her way
home before followed her, warned by
the low growl of near thunder to seek
speedy shelter. An hour later sought
Bcrtha's room. / found her lying on
her bed, looking so unlike her usual
fairy self that all the anger died within
me. told her what l had overheard,
and then said: You must sec for
yourself. dear. that it is impossible for
our fathers and mothers daughter to
play SO contemplate part. You
must not see Mr.. Harlcastlc again, and
then it will all be us though it had
never BEEN"
Sobbing, she yielded. The thunder
storm was an excellent excuse for Ber-
tlla's headache. and short note from
myself to Mr.. Hardcastlc, indited in 10
gentle frame of mind, caused that gcn-
tlcman's speedy departurcfor Boston.
Hclcn's gentle northern eyes" filled
with tears when she told me she would
not see him until the following month,
when it was agreed that they should be
married in Boston from the house of
her friend, where they had first met.
She had wished lis to be her trademarks
but her alliance had begged for Il perfect
ly quiet wedding. was thankful when
it was over, and charmed to find ny
sister dazzlingly beautiful and bright
the following winter, which was passed
with our aunt in Philadelphia, and where
she became celebrated us Ia belle dcs
bellies. Lent fell late and by the time
we returncdto Westficldcncc we were
surfeited with balls aud parties. The
first thing which broke the quiet monot-
ony of home life was the news that the
Hardcastlcs had bought Il house about
Il mile from ours. near the Western
slope, as that part Of the coast was call
ed, where a deep ravine made Il break
in the long line of cliffs. Dearly as |
loved HELEN the news could hardly be
called welcome; but trusted Bertha
with all my heart, and was satisfied
that her girlish fancy had died natu-
raj death when she greeted Mr.. Hard
castle with quiet dignity. Helen,
thought very pale and pensive. l at
tributcd this TO the fact that she was too
much alone; her husband having pur-
chascda wild young mustang. on which
he secured the country. He was a
man who as . husband was certain to
be given to moods, and for some time
l was in doubt as to the reason of his
taciturnity, when, however, several
young men, whom we had met in Phil
adelpha. came together with my BROTH
err, to pass the first bright, May days in
my fathers house. His constant pres
ence in or about the place. the wild fury
which blazed from his dark eyes. when
Bertha was the recipient of their mark
ed attention, proved to me only too
plainly that his old madness had but
slumbcred. In my anxiety went to my
mother, who was unreasonably annoy
ed. Such things. she said, might be in
other countries, but the sanctity of the
marriage tie was respected in America
by all save the lowest of the low. Poor
mother! She knew nothing of any
world save her own. One cold evening
in the latter part of May the Hardcas-
ties, who had spent the afternoon with
us, prepared to return home. Helen
was dressed in her favoritc white, and
l, fearing the chill evening air for her.
went to fetch her soft. white, knitted
shawl, which would protcc. her. When
! returned she stood in the porch all
alone.
Horace has gone to the village for
the letters" she said, 81 will walk on
and he will ovcrtake me-" She allow
ed me to fold the wrap around her, and
l stood watching her tall. graceful fig
ure until il was lost to view by the turn
of the cliff. returned to the drawing
room, where | was wanted TO play glec
Accomplishments. Presently some one
suggested 81 dance, but my father re-
q,lestcd one song from me. l could
never refuse him; but felt strange out
of tune, and chose. naturally. sad
song. Pascals. then very fashionable.
"Rest, thou troubled heart began,
when the door was flung open and Hor-
ace Hartlcastlc stood before us. Some
thing dreadful in his face caused me to
rise quickly while the words died on
my lips.
"Where is Hclen?" he asked horsely.
''She has gone home," replied. She
left almost Immediately after you went
down to the village"
''Shc is not there he said, turning
from me to my father, who had come
forward.
'Shc followed you down to the vii.
lage, no doubt suggested papa, land
thus you missed"
No. cried l, "for ] watched her to
the turn of the cliff"
A silence fell upon us. while /, trem.
bling with underlined fear. chung to my
fathers arm, who said presently:
Ibid you 60 through the house, Hor.
ace?'
Eyes, and callcd.'' he answered.
"Cone. come.' said papa. putting me
gently from him. ''shc has no doubt
continued her walk beyond the ravine
We'll gowith you, Horace. Your wite's
all right, boy; she knows the very stone:
of the coast
Followed by the male portion of tho
company he left the room. Mother
went to procure lanterns, while Bertha
and l, avoiding each others eyes LEST
we should meet confirmation of ON
worst fears, sat with suspended brcatl
. and blanchcd cheeks. said to myself
that our fears were unnatural and cx
aggeratcd; but there are moments when
instinct is stronger than all reason, ant
this was such an one. An hour passed
ere we heard the sound of returning
footsteps. l had not the strength Il
run to the door. Bertha reached it, bu
papa's arm pressed her back; entering
he closed the door and l saw his face
colorless and terror-stricken in The
lamplight.