The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-07-05
CHAPTER V.

CMAPrERv
The moon went down; the stars shone out
clearer
Eleven o'clock doomed from u church clock
in the town.
Wurdlaw did not come. and Seaton did not
| move #. IN his ambush Twelve o'clock
doomed. and Wardlaw never came and
SentOn never moved.
Soon after midnight. General Rollcston's
hall door opened, aud Il figure appeared in u
flood of light. Seaton's eyes CLEANED ut the
light, for it was Young Wurdlaw, with q foot
man at his back holding lighted lamp.
Wardlaw, however, seemed in no hurry to
leave the house. and the reason soon up
pearel; he was joined by Helen ROlleston,
and she was equipped for walking. The
watcher saw her serene face shine in the light.
The General himself came next; and as they
left the door. out came Tom with blunder-
buss. and beought up the rear. Sexton drew
resign. his purpose.
Steps and murmurings came, and passed
him, and recede,l
The only words lie caught distinctly came
from Wardlnw, ns he pnssei. ut is nearly
high tide. ! fear we must make haste"
ScatOn followed the whole party Mt short
distance, feeling sure they would eventually
separate and give him his opportunity with
Warilaw.
They went down to the hurhor and took a
boat; SentOn came nearer, aud learned they
Were going on bonr,l the great steamer bound
for England, that doomed so black, with
monstrous eyes of fire.
They put of. and Seaton stood baftied.
Presently the black monster. with enorm-
GUS eyes of fire. spout4,l her steam like a
leviathnn and then wasstll; next the smoke
puifeIi, the heavy paddles revnlve,l, and she
rushed ont of the harbor and Seaton sat
down upon the ground, and all seemed ended
tn .,.;t1
her! Love and revenge hnd alike elnded him.
lie looked up ut the sky, an,l played with
the pebbles at his feet stupidity, stupidity.
He wondered why he was horn: why he con-
scented to live single minute after this. His
angel and his demon gone home togethcr!
and lie left here!
lie wrote few lines on the paper he had
intended for Warllaw, sprinklcd them with
sand, and put them in his bosom, then
stretched himself out with weary moan. like
DIVING dog, to wait the flow ofthe tide and,
with it. Death. Whether or not his rcsolu-
ton or his madness could have carried him
SO fur cannot be known. for even as the
water rippled in, and, trickling under his
back. chilled him to the bone, asilvcry sound
struck his ear. lie started to his feet md
life and it's joys rushed buck upon him. 1t
was the voice of the woman he loved so mad
Helen Rol!eston was on tho water coming
lie crawled. like II lizard. among the boats
ashore to catch sight Of her: he did SEE her,
unseen himself. She landed with her father
So Wardlaw WIS gone to England without
her. Senton tremblel with joy. Presently
his goddess began to lnmenti in the prettiest
way. Papa! papa!" she sighed. why must
friends part in this sad world? Poor Arthur
is gone from me; and by and by, shall so
from YOU my own papa" And mt that pros.
pect she weIt gently.
why. you foolish child" said the old
General. tendcrIy what mattcrs II little part
ing, when We are all to meet again. in dear
old England: Well. then. there hive a cry;
tendcrly ~ she clung to his warlike breast;
and took him at his word the tears ran
swiftly and glistene.l in the very starlight.
But o, how Seatons heart ycarned at all
this!
WHAT mustn't he say word to comfort
her; he who at one moment. would have
Thought no more of dying to serve her or to
please her, than he would of throwing one of
those pebbles into Shiny water:
Well, her pure tears somehow cooled his
hot brain. and his soul, and left linn won
dering ut himself and his nis.leeds this
night. Ills guardian angel seemed to go
BY and wave her iewy wings. aud fan his
hot passions as she passed.
He knecled down and thanked God he had
not met Arthur Wardlaw in that dark lane.
Then he went home to his humble lodg-
ings, and there buried himself; and from
that day seldom went out. except to seek
employment. He soon obtained it us a
eo Hsn inn. ,,. oo,,o, ,... =, ~. -. i. ~.
ployed by person with agentle disposition,
but tenacity purpose truly remarkable.
Great was Seatons uneasiness when one
day he saw Hexllam Mt the foot Of his stair;
greater still. when the officers quick eye
caught sight of him, and his light foot
nscsndetl the stair, directly. He felt sure
General Rolstons premises. However, he
prepared to defend himself to the uttermost.
Hexhum came into his room without
ceremony, and looking mighty grim. well,
my lad. so We have got you after ALL
What il my crime now:' asled Seaton,
sullpniy.
".lamcs," said the officer. very solemnly,
''it in IN unheartl-of crime this time. You
have been-running-awny pretty
girl. Now that is q mistake at all times; but,
when she 10 ms beautiful rs an angel, and
rich enough to slip II fvcr into Dick Hex
hams hands. and lay him on your track,
| what ia the use? Letter for you. my man"
Seaton took the letter, with puzzled air.
| 1t was written in clear but feminine hand,
and slightly scented.
The writer, in IL lew polished lines, excused
herself for taking extraordinary means to
unO MT SeHtOIl, puL HOpcu lie WOulu cOnSlueF
that he had laid her under a deep obligation,
and that gratitude will sometimes he i'm
Fortunate She had The pleasure to inform
him that the office o!shippins clerk ut Messrs.
White 4 Co. Is was ut his service. and she
| hoped he would take it without IN hours
! further delay, Tor she was assured that many
persons had risen to wealth and considera-
ton iii the colony from such situations.
Then. MS this wary but courteous young
lady had no wish TO enter into correspond.
| encs with her ex -gardener, she added
reply to this note. A simple yes to Mr..
Hexham will be enough, and will give sincere
pleasure to Mr.. Seuton's
"Ohedient servant and well-wisher,
| "IiELES ANNE RnLLEsToN."
Seaton bowed his head over this letter in
silent but deep emotion.
| Hexham respected that emotion and
watched him with u sort OF vaguesympathy.
| Seaton liited his heud, and the tears stool
| gusitc softness, scarce above IL whisper.
''Tell her. yes and God bless her. Good.
by want to go on my knees, and pray
liod to bless her, as she deserves. Good.
by"
Hcxham took tho hint. md retired softly.
| CHAPTER VI.
| WHITE AND Co. stumbled on treasure in
James Seaton. Your colonial clerk ID not
SO narrow and apathetic MS your London
clerk, whose two objects seem to be, to learn
one department only. and not to do toe
much in that. but Seaton, q gentleman and
q scholar, cclipscd even colonial clerks ia
this, that he omitted no opportunity o
learning the whole business Of White and
Co., and was also animated by feverish
zeal, that now and then provoked laughte.