The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-03-08
blage. Her Indifference and lutter

beauty, brought her scores of admir-
ers. whom she drove almost mad
with her coltncss. She was still as
lovely as ever, but in her big, brown
eyes there was a shade of sadness,
and slight absent look which gave
n touch of soul to a face that had
heretofore spnrklcd with wit, and
glowed with gayety and high spirits,
but had feeling. Now it was perfect.
If Jack could only see her now.
One day she was taking her morn
ngstroll, and feelingianunanaccount-
able depression of spirits. Hergreat
eyes were wearing their most absent
look, and as they wandered over the
crowd that wasever coming and GO
ing, she started violently and
her delicate, high-bred face turned
as white as the filmy lace
at her throat. She fixed nn
absorbed gaze on vehicle that was
slowly passing. The occupant was
n brond-shouldered, grand-looking
man dressed in grey. His shapcly
head was crowned with white straw
hat, pair of large, distiguring spec
tacles of fcolored glass completely hid
his eyes; his firm mouth was shaded
with long brown mustache, and be-
tween his lips was the inevita hle cigar.
No whiskers hid his firm chin and
fine rounded throat. A footman at
his side wasdrivinga span of spirited
blacks. In an instant the cqilipa"e
was hidden by thecrowd, but Ruby y
eyes would have known that face, that
form, it had been far more fleet
ing glimpse. Sl"lrcwa long
and by lifetime shcrcnchcd her hotel,
and looked at herself in her room,
she was startled at the Joyous bright
ness that sparkled in her eyes and
hcamc'l from every feature. All day
her face wore an eager, rxprctant
look, her eyes were ever searching
for something. At the hop that
night it wasstill thcsamr. She with
drew early and sought her room.
weary and hcartsick.
"Oh,' she said aloud, in IL troubled
voice, does l." know | am here, and
still remain aloof"
She sat there alone. white and sad;
her face wet with tears: her heart
torn with conflicting emotions, aud IL
terrible fear that he had forgotten
her. The next morning, aitrra sleep
less night, she started out alone. her
cheeks pale. her spirits dropping.
She shipped her course for II hidden
retreat behind the rocks. where she
had often dreamed away hours ,nir-
terrlpted. AS she nr,rod the place
Ruby saw that her favorite rocky
scat was already occupied by IN in
trn'lrr. He sat in Il dcspon,ling nt :
tiIude. with his head resting on his
hand hls gaze directed towards the
sea. Occupied with herown thoughts.
Ruby was about to turn AWAY with
out taking amy notire of him, when
he changed his position, removed II
cigar from his mouth, blew forth n
cloud of smoke and Ruby snw who it
was.
Her footsteps had given no sound
on the soft sand. lie had not heard
her. She stood perfectly still. trcmb-
ling SO that sll" could scarcely stand.
| i'Sit NiS WV WI NllttS''
presence :'l" had lon.c, for
all these sad years. and now she
dared not speak to him. lie NIGH,
receive her patience with scorn, and
he might be married! Terrible. cruel
thought! While this was passing
through her mind she was startled
by hearing some one coming that
way whistling. Not wishing be to
seen she sprang behind n convenient
boulder. just in time to escape the
eyes of he new conner, who was the
same man she had seen with Jack
the day before.
The man came up and stopped I".-
side jack, who said, impnticn,Iy,
"Why did you come for me SO
soon
why, sir. you said come in an
hour. and it is up SURF
81 don I believe it's up Jack cried
violently. "hut because am II poor,
blind stick YOU think ,voncan ioolmc
but you can't. Go away and let me
l'c in peace if you can. and don't dare
to come near me again untleran hour
from now. DO you understand? an
hour from now, il whole hour
"ies. sir. | understand" replied
poor Peter depreratingly, preparing
to move off, after casting a glance at
the watch he wore to makesure of he
time.
"Stay.n called Jack. irritably.
First tell me if any one is anywhere
in sight. don't want to sit here rs
~ show for any one if tan help it.
"N0t soul, sir, to he seem, re-
spondcd Peter, cheecrily.
Then clear out" was the gentle
reply.
After Johns rctreating form was
lost to view Ruby stole forth pale
and trembing-hcr checks moist
with tears ofpity. How wr"trhe,l ne
lookcl--llow s;l--how she pitirl
him. She forgot everything but her
love for linn and wished to comfort
him. On he impulse oi he moment.
she went to him pu, both soft.
round arms around his neck, and
laid her cheek against his, Her sud
den embrace aroused him eilcctually
from the gloomy thoughts he was
indulging in and gave him Il little
shock. But as soon as lIe could col
lcct his scattered senses he became
aware that it was II woman. Amnd
woman no doubt! Did she intend to
strnngle linn, or WHAT The novelty
of it pleased him. Tie remained per
tcctly still and awaited Developments
like Il philosopher.
"Jack--.Jack Hunter. don't you
know me-" said Il fearful voice. in
his ear
"IIcnvcns. That voice. Ruby" he
cried, doubting. hut nevertheless
throwing botharms around her and
drawing her to him while he rained
kisses on her face At last he drew
her gently down on the rock beside
him and said: My darling. words
are not needed to tell me it is Ruby.
or that YOU love me. But tell me
you are as free as am
lie did not ask how or why she
happened to be there. He did not
care. That she was there was the
one supreme thought OF that happy
moment.
81 am still Ruby Howard she
murmured in reply,
Thank GodH' he said, revcrcn,ly,
"an,l for this hour. And now-will