The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-03-23

warm hearted ana A1eCtlOn8CeA as such
natures usually are. A train of ad.
mirers always followed in her wake
and she had received so much adula-
ton that she had become just little
vain. But vanity was certainly ex-
cusable in her, II in any one, for she
was the acknowledged belle of the
place.
Now, knew Dolly was a wee bit of
a flirt-it was quite in keeping with
her general character to be so-and
/ felt very anxious for my boy. The
machinery OF his inner nature was
delicate, and I feared it might not
be so perfectly adjusted as to stand n
severe shock. slept but little that
night, and dreamed that q huge lion,
with q face like Dolly Stevens, was
Just about to devour Charlie. My
struggles to save him awoke me, but
such a dream could leave no pleasant
impression.
The weeks went by, and Charlie was
quite assiduous in his attentions to
Dollie, and for awhile he mad the field
all to himself. Boating, walking and
driving took SO much time that I am
afraid the youth sometimes neg
lected his business a little. And
so the summer passed away. In Oc-
tober Arthur Wilson, Charles pet
aversion, came home from the West.
They had been rivals from boyhood
up. Soon ate. Arthur's return 1t
was announced that q grand ball was
to be held in the largest hall IN the
village. There was quite an excite
ment OF preparation among the young
people. The day after the posters
were up Charlie came home earlier
than usual and flung himself upon the
sofa without speaking.
care you i'll, Charlie?" asked I.
"No, not much"
Cant l do something for you?"
said !, really alarmed, he acted so
strangely.
II never want anything done for me
again" said he, in a strange, choking
tone of voice.
II saw he was very pale, and went
to him and placed my hand upon his
head. He bit his lip to keep back the
tears that started to his eyes.
sis it so very bad, Charlie?" said l,
hardly knowing what to say.
II may as well tell you, auntie. I
went over to see Dolly this afternoon,
to invite her to the ball, and she told
me she was going with Arthur. He
has been hanging around her ever
since his return, but never thought
she would notice him. thought she
cared something for me, but was
mistaken. l wish had never seen
her."
Don't feel so hurt about it, Char
lie." said I. at may not be half as
bad us you imagine, after ALL"
''lf she hadn't given Arthur some
encouragement, he wouldn't have ask
ed her to this ball; that is enough tor
again."
"Dear Charlie, don't know what
to say to you. except to beg you not
to do anything very rash or foolish. /"
Never fear for me, auntie! No one
but you will know how feel. lam
glad mother is away. SO she will not
be troubled for my sake. Cousin
Katie will go to the ball with me, and
shall be one OF the gayest there.
can overcome this, and I will. You
will help me all you can, won't you,
Aunt Betsy, and let me come to you
for sympathy when want to give
way to my feelings?"
He put his hand in mine in that
trusting, childlike way, 80 irresistible
in the boy who stands on the verge
OF manhood, and looked into my eyes
for an answer. 1 was too deeply
touched for words but the kiss gave
him seemed to assure him.
"1t's all right now" he said. If
Dolly feels that she cannot be happy
with me, will not stand in the way
OF her being happy with another,
even if it is Arthur Wilson; but that's
the worst OF it ALTO think that she
should 90 with HIM" and his blue
eyes grew almost black at the thought.
Then, seeing l looked anxious, he add
ed, "Never fear, auntie! I'll control
myself, can promise you that
He went out, and us looked after
his retreating form, wondered how
Dolly could possibly have preferred
Arthur to my boy.
1t was nine days wonder to all
the gossips in town when it was known
that Dolly was going with Arthur to
tho ball, ind much impertinent curl
osity had to be batflled by q dexter.
Gus mental sleight-of-hand. The an.
nouncement of Grace's engagement
to Will turned the attention OF the
public mind from Charles affairs,
and he was left in peace for the time.
A great change was noticeable in
Dolly. She seemed as bright and
cheerful as ever, but excluded herself
from society in q great measure and
devoted herself to study-a freak
which astonished her good mother
not q little. met her one day at q
neighbours, and we came out together.
She had to pass my house on her way
home, so asked her to come in and
sit awhile with me. She knew that |
was alone at that hour and accepted
my invitation. We talked awhile of
her studies, and then the conversation
dritted into the general gossip of the
place.
II suppose the chief interest OF Mrs.
Grundy just now centers in Grace
feelings engagement, does it not?"
said l.
"les. Isn't it stranger" was the
reply.
"Do you mean that her engagement
is q strange one? l do not consider it
So"
at seems so to me, it was so soon
after her other engagement was brok-
en-"
"Her other engagement! l don't
know what you mean.'
"Why, her engagement Toto
Charlie" stammered Dolly, coloring
deeply.
"Do you mean Charlie Dayton?"
said I.
"ies; understand that Grace and
and Mr.. Dayton were engaged at one
time, but he got tired OF her and
broke it off,"
"Now, Dolly Stevens" said / wheel
ing my chair directly in front of her,
~ want you to tell me where you rot
all this trasll-for there isn't q word
OF truth in the whole story, not one
single word. There was u time when
he and Grace were fond OF each other,
but it never went beyond n boy and
glri liking, and they both grew out OF
it at about the same time-Grace, lie.
cause she found Will Brooks more to
her liking. and Charlie-well, there is
certain young lady in this town
whom he just adores, but she gave
him the slip not long ago in the most
significant manner, SO now he wears
| hA v1tS1I