The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-04-06
LEA.


and u pair OF gray ones, hard and cold,
met, and Lea Caxton and her step
mother were mutually silent Tho
latter saw that her blow had told
told indeed upon the heart oi the girl,
but only flaming red upon tic oval
cheek betrayed thecruelty fthesword
thrust. "lf you think. continued
Mrs. Caxton, "that you are going to
escape from my control by marrying
DIR. Danton, you are very much mis-
taken. He will never marry YOU.
Men like him look higher for a WIFE,"
Where DIR. Danton could have
searched to have f';anda purer sweet
er, or Drcttier girl it would be hard to
say. Her stcpm6,icr knee that the
pale perfection OF the girls lace had
won her favor in tho eyes OF the sum
mcr boardcr; more than that she
would not admit. Dr. Danton was IL
rich city gentleman. Ii he chose to
spend few quiet weeks in Roseville,
and meanwhile pay afew compliments
to Lea, it was 1ioiIstisC that ti'E girls
head should be turned. More, SHE was
not willing that her step-daughtcr,
whom she had rebukcd and thwartcd
from her infancy, should meet with
any such windfall OF fortune as a rich
husband, thus making her intlcpcnd-
cnt OF her.
"iou needn't hurry to finish your
dress" said Mrs. CaXton, with sar-
casm. "ft won't make anytilYrrence
whether you wear blue or white tor tho
picnic"
Then pretty l4ca rose, shook out the
tleecy folds of the azure skirt sho was
at work ON, and went upstairs. Iii
her chamber she was ut least free from
insult; but she could not sew. She
hung up the beautiful dress she had
been hurrying to complete, and throw
ing herself upon the lounge, covered
her face with her hands, and few hot
tears tricklcd between her fingers.
Meanwhile, II gentleman with u fair
beard and ~ very direct pair of
eyes was walking in the garden und
casting sharp glAnccs at the south
piazz,t, where Lea generally sat with
her sewing i'll the pleasant autumn
days. Her dog lay there her canary
sang there; but she was not to be
seen.
He threw himself upon ~ rustic seat
at last, and uncovering his shapely
head in the shadow OF the leafy locust
tree, sat crushing his soft felt hat in
his hands, evidently lost in thought
not unpleasant thought.
Now Mrs. CaXton, i'll spite of her as
surcl words, was not altogether sc-
cure in her own mind regarding DIR.
Dantons intentions. 4 desire to be
so made her walk that way, with
black lace scarf about her head.
"Good afternoon, DIR. Danton. Are
you going to the picnic?'
"ff l.ea goes" was the composed re-
sponsc.
In fact, the gentleman had so much
the mir of /, man who knows his own
mind that Mrs. Cuxton was at IL loss
how to proceed. The former, however.
cut the Interview sh6rt by styins j,
"lf lea is ut leisure, Mrs. CaXton, /
wish you would ask her to come into
the garden for Il little while.'
Now Lea, when summoned. was very
10th to obey, and when she came down
the box-lined path and DIR. Danton
roseto receive her there was strange
restraint in her manner.
"You wish to see mc?' she asked in
a constrained voice.
"Cerluin,y ] did. l always want TO
see as much OF you as possible; and
as your stcp-mothcr said YOU were ut
leisure, | thought youhad bettcrco come
out in the sunshine
There was no responsive smile and
blush. Leafs fine black hrows con-
tractcd, and the your. man was sur
prised.
ole considers me IL playtlinv for
his leisure" thought F.ra, and was
silent.
But at 10 this girl was not stolcal
enough to resist a man like DR.. Dan
ton when he chose to be winning, and
now he chose to he very winning. in
deed. 1.ca's col,lncss melted beneath
the air cf chivalrous tenderness with
whicl, he devoted himself to her enter.
tainment; and soon the old pleasant
light was in her eyes and smile on
her lips.
What are we to do at this picnic.
Lea" wandering about in the
damp woods? Why do they never
choose II sunny place."
"POssibly on account of our com
plcxions," said Lea dcmurcly.
"That's the trouble with your pic
mics, 1.ea-not sunshine enough For
my part ! love the sun. Let us walk
down the lane under the trees"
l.ea laid her hand on his arm and
down the lane they strollcd, breathing
the balmy airnnd gathering astcrs and
golden rod; and when DIR. Danton
brought her back when the dew began
to in!l, and kissed her slender hands
at the porch door she stole up to her
chamber with her flowers and her
dreams
No, ii did no, matter what she wore
at the picnic.
When she was almost ready he ran
down in the garden for few flowers.
AS she gathered Il knot OF gold and
blue pansies IL bit OF crushed paper at.
tractcd her attention. She picked it
up. There was writing upon it and
she read it,
lis very pretty, with Il rarely,
fair complexion and silkyhl;tck hair.
You have no i-"a how rharmin. in
pale blue Of color solryinyto raven
haired women, that OF course intend
nothing serious; sh' j. only IL country
girl, but she is charming
The chlro.raphy was DR.. Dant on's.
For a momcn, Lea stood bcwiidrrrd
The .nv beds OF pan>ie> and letunias
reeied before her eyes; she sat down
upon IL rustic benril.
"What is thcma,,er with you, lea?"
said her mothers sharp voice.
Then her un>plrin, hand SiE,cled
the paper from l.". : fingers.
at is Just as you said walled poo,
Lea, in her misery. lie does not car.
for mc-he is only ,riiin..'
Mrs. Caxton read the paper and
smiled grimly.
"Umph! Perhaps you will believe
Lie another timc?''
"Oh. what shall dor
The sunlight glowri in ,h. pretty
apartment, the bees hung buzzing
over the flowers OF the window.vine,
the busy sounds OF cheerful life came