The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-11-16

l 6s
He raised his head like a horse in
sight of it's stable-Ee was home
again-he started on with longer
strides-to stop Immediately, as
founded!
"Tionsl" said he, "its lighted; she's
not abed vet, but prays, perhaps, for
my safety!"
As the words fell from his lips the
outline of q human form showed it.
self upon the half curtain that shad-
cd the little window-the outlines of
n mans form! A man in his house
Mt twelve ut night-with Catherine
Mon Dieu! if it werc-but no, lie re-
fused to comprehend or to
finish the thought that had
flashed across his mind-he
refused even to suspect his unhappi-
ness! At the same time, ;ls the howl
ing of tho wind masked the noise of
his footsteps, lie would be able to up
proach but leave them unsuspicious
of flis presence. He pressed himself
against the wall of his dwelling-he
mounted upon the stone that sup
ported the gutter-he looked in the
chamber. Catherine was there. re-
clining in her chair, beautiful, rosy
and smiling; beside her man who
at the moment-even us Yvon's eyes
fell upon him-drew his wife into his
arms and pressed upon her lips d
kiss of adiru. That man-a thou
sand llcvils!-thnt man-w;,s DOM
Unique!
Under this blow of fate thccolossus
staggered like IL beet under the
butchers hammer; he supported him
self against the window frame, his
lrgs trembling, his hands convul-
sivcly tearing at the scarf that
seemed to stop his breathing. And
thus, while he exposed his life to win
the bread for the household. his wife,
whom he had atored like ma,lmnn
Ibis wife-profitcd by his absence to
tl~achcrously deceive him! The
shock was too much-the strong
man began to cry, and many things
that had passed unnoticed by the
contiling husband returned to mind
to torture him. Parbleu! hut it had
gone ON IL long time, this pretended
hate for the whcclwright's workman
this pretended hate that was to
turn suspicion. And those marks of
passionate love given to him, the
husband? Lies ngain-vilc hypoc-
risics to capture his confidence! Bah,
the miserable guilty wretch whom he
had loved so much!
The noise of thctloor closing softly
and ii shadow moving away reused
the fisherman from his trance of
ngony-in an instant he was trans
tiyurpd-a wllirlwind of fury sur.r,l
into his brain-blood blinded him!
With IL turn of the wrist lr threw off
his heavy shoes, bent his body like II
runner making for his goal, and
bounded upon the tracks of the lover
soiull Observation-Disclosures with
himself, and who followed. careless
ly whistling u tune, with han,lsin his
pockets, Il narrow patllwaycnfinme,l
between two hedges. lie h,darrivrl
almost at the main street otthcl ham
let, when suddenly two powerful
hands closed upon his neck, clutch
ing it with Il grasp of iron. Domi-
nique gaspcd, wavcre'l, bent to his
knees-nnd lay with without amoan!
Twenty minutes later Yvon re-
turned to the strand, moving in the
direction of his l,oat. lie still car
ricd upon his shoulders fishing
sack, but so heavily loaded this
time that he walked with difficulty,
and every instant slipped upon the
pebbles, round and polished. Ar
rived ut last at his bark. he threw
down his burden; it fell with II thud
upon the piles of stones that consti-
tnted the ballast. The tide had
turned, and already the waves were
tapping under the keel of the little
vessel. The fisherman seated linn
self in his accustomed place, proppcd
his feet upon the sack in the bottom,
drew out his pipe and began to
smoke. To smokc-;lye-but not
for long-n half hour, not more.
| When the movement of the boat and
the wash of the waves told him the
hour had come, he drew up his an
cl,or, cast off his line and the vessel,
obcdicnt to- the oars vigorously
handled drew rapidly away.
The tempest had lullcd consider
ably: in the harhnr the water was
nearly tranquil, but the hnrbor was
evidently not far enough for the
sailors purposes; lie hoisted he sail
and stood for the open sea-. An hour
perhaps he sailed thus in the midst
of the shadows, but he stopped at
last, and at that moment the moon
broke from the clouds that rcilcd it
and spread upon the water IL grain
of silver.
"lt will do he murmurcd, consid-
cring it carefully, "'tis far cnoughw
and he drew from his pocket IL broad
blnded clasp knife carried by men of
his calling. knclt upon the sack be-
fore him and delivered himself to the
mysterious work that filled him, judg-
ing by the smile upon his lips, with
satisfaction. This work accomplish
cd, the sack was loaded with stones
from the pile of ballast and cast into
| the depths of the sea, the fisherman
lighted his pipe anew, threw out his
lines baitcd as they had been in the
i,eginnng of the evening and began
to fish.
Not until broad daylight, later
than his usual hour, did he withdraw
them again and start on the home
ward Journey. Catllcrine-hc saw her
from Abbreviated for him upon the
deserted beach with every sound of
profound disquietude, the way of
wives in general, and faithful wives
in particular. In transport OF dis
stimulation and tenderness she threw
herself upon the breast of her hus-
band.
"Mon Dieu" she cricd," but
thou art late. knew not what to
think of it, and the horrible
tempest that has ragged since thy de-
parture! do not wish thee to go
out in weather like this again! How
| have prayed to Our L;,dy.'
"Prayedto Our Lady, and forme?"
Yvonrcsponded wit a singularsmilc:
"nh well, thou seest thy prayer is
grlnted-l have returned, and the
fishing was excellent. But come,
have yet to discmbarrass my lines
they are loaded. Thou shalt help
me at the task. Begin!"
Had Catherine been looking Mt her
husband us he spoke, the cold and
cri,nl pvprpssiou of bia f.,cp lo rn