The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1888-11-01

beat in AIN uneven fashion; she sat UP
IN bed and looked at her watch-iust
IL o'clock; she mad slept, then, over
two hours sonndly, and the refractory
tooth was subdued. She was slipping
her watch under her pillow when she
started; it had been no delusion; foot
steps were passing down the landing.
Like lightning Edith was out Of bed
and had thrown on her dresslng-gown.
Her courage faltered for g. moment,
for Edith was only a girl and
hideous stories Of pistols and
hasty shooting by Iatter-day burglars
came to her mind; but it was only tor
q moment; then taking her candle in
her hand, she went as noiselessly as
possible to the head of stairs and
passed down. All was still, and from
the Pickering light of the hall-lamp she
could see there was no one left as sem
tinel or spy; SO she determined, not
without q curious sensation at her
heart, to creep boldly down, reconnoi-
tire, and then 90 back and rouse the
house. She made very little noise de.
scending, and at last stood in the
hall. The voice was still faint, and
she paused to listen before proceeding.
The next instant she was at the din
ing-room door, and had thrown it
wide open.
A smothered woman's shrek and
an oath greeted her, and a lump
seemed to rise in her throat.
Lucy" she said, in choked, hard
~ audible tones, .'your child is up
stairs and needs you at once"
Without a word, but with a face as
white as death, Lucy passed her in
the doorway, and the quick step up
the stairs testified to the existence Of
the mothers sudden dread and pain.
The man left thus stranded was
young. OF a dark, handsome type, at
tired in evening dress.
He stared at the girl before him with
a contracted brow, and looked, as he
must have felt, ~wretchedly i'll at ease.
you, sir; whoever you may be,
please leave this house at once"
Edith's hand sought the door for
support; though she kept SO bold q
front her limbs were trembling beyond
her control.
He looked at her young face rigid in
it's contempt and horror, and despita1
his anger could not but admin
She made a pretty pictuga
on her Should
here at hsz Eleave it on
ly at her re- kn66hsWered shortly
az will /, EihgE the servants and hav
you thrSa1own out" she replied.
Ard so compromise your dea
frieRyAd," he said. with a sneer. "By al
aTneans; ! am perfectly willing"
i Edith drew q short breath.
| "You are a coward" she said quiet
"; then, before he could speak, sh'
went on very slowly and with grea'
elaboration. Lucy is upstairs;
am alone with you; the scandal, there
fore, will fall on me. Now, shall / cal
) the servants, OF will you go?"
by Jovel" he muttered under hi
breath.
He had never come across this sort
OF a woman before; his ey,
just met hers, and, at the unnt
terable disgust and contempt in them
he was abashed; he took up his hat
} and saunterei out Of the room with
out saying one word. Edith followed
him and closed the door herself upor
him; then, shaking like q leaf, she went
into the d~ining-room, extinguished tn,
lights and then crept upstairs, feeling
that for ono in her life all her strength
and courage were hopelessly gone.
The event just passed had lasted
barely three minutes, but the result
was none the less painful.
As she reached the upper landing
she felt some one clasp her knees, and
then crouch down at her feet, and al
nerve returned.
With her strong young arm she lift.
ed up Lucy, who was weeping bitterly,
and almost carried her into her own
bedroom, and the rest Of the night
was spent III trying tosoothe and con.
sole the poor foolish moth who had
huttered so near the candle, and by
her aid had escaped; for before morn.
ing came Edith had learned all she
wanted to know; and, save for hel
supreme folly and weakness, Lucy
Dalton had done nothing to separate
herself from her husbands life.
Mr.. Dalton returned to his COST
home full OF spirits, and Edith met
him with as much lighthearted man
ner as she conld assume.
"I am afraid you will never leave
me Lucy's guardian again. Herbert
she said; tfor you will find her rather
shattered. She caught cold one day
driving, and I have kept her indoors
ever since
She did not stay in the room AZ she
finished this speech, but as she shut
the door shecaughta glimpseof Lucy
golden head buried on her husbands
shoulder, and she Was content.
9 think she has learnt her lesson,0
she thought TO herself, aand nov ]
will trot home to papa.
M. Lascelles welcomed his daughter
affectionately. got your letter.
Edith he said at once, land I have
asked young Rochdale to dinner TO
night. Does that suit your
Edith simply nodded.
P~unctually at eight the door was
thrown open and Mr. Rochdale an
nonnced.
Mr.Lascelllles shook hands ednsively
with the yolna man.
So dith,smy dear lie began.
ButsEdith didsnot move; she Fixed
Eher eyeso nS MI RochdAi6.
ssPapa,s & eheseaid very dietinetly. ~
Idonotd desire anrther knowledge ofthis
gentIeman; We haxe pet blore
GsorGe Reehd Grim