The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-03-28

look at his face, heard the last
sound of his voice? And shnll never, mover
meet hiE, more? Never more! never more
Oh, words of woe insufferable! All! what am
! saying? Oh. heart, be silent: tits crime to
love him, to grieye for him: even to think o.
him now! he is the husband Of another, and
my stern duty il to go. Yes, oil have to do
lies in that little. hard word-go."
So eaying, she walked on through thelowal
hall but instead Of going up the stairs she
went into the library, and huntad until sht
found the Statute Laws OF Virginia. Sir
door. laid them upon the table, drew achnir
sat down, und opened them.
She referred first to the laws on marriage
nni she found. as she had expected, that TIN
ceremony read over herself and Oryille If
their earliest youth by the authority Of theil
parents. consisted legal marriage, indissol
uble except by death or divorce.
Next she examined the lave of divorce, unt
found TINT such an nct as Orviil,
had committed, desertion, wanton abus,
&C.. were oil set down as JUS
pleas for the legal breaking of marriag'
bond. She found also, oh, horror! that
second marriage during the lie OF the frs
with imprisonment md dishonor.
She closed the volumes and fell into deeI
and painful thought.
Four courses were open to her.
First, to remain passively where abe was
and let events take their natural direction
whatever that must be.
Secondly, to sue for the dissolution oftheil
marriage.
Thirdly. to prosecute Orville for the big
amy. of which lie would undoubtedly he con
vcted.
And fourthly. to sacrifice herself, by simply
going away and leaving it to him to divorc,
her, upon the legal ground of wanton deser
ton.
These four paths lay open before her req
She did not hesitate one instant. And'it TO
n few moments slia remained irf painful
thought, 1t was to find excuses f,sf him, AM
just cause for her o VII rel..impoiation.
IL it were not sin .Sonld willingly di
to release him. As l s.nnot die before N,
s sa mot I s leu but S"nd tt free hin
"IfI expose his unfortunate second mar
riage, it win cover him with dishonor, ENC
break biS mothers heart!
Therefore there remains but one way II
\ which can serve him. l can only save hin
by loosinE myself l will do it! Twill gt
nwny and leuve him to divorce me for m,
desartion OF him!
THAT will not dishonor him. and II it de
bnsc me in the eyes Of the world. what mnt
ter? There ia no one to be dragged down b,
my fall, for am alone. Suon death vii
come OF his own accord, and shall rest ant
be .orgotten-of all save God, who know
the TRUTH"
And thus concluding her reverie, Adelaid,
drew writing material toward her. and com
menced a letter Of explanation and farewell
TO Orville.
The writing Of that letter gave her NOR
trouble than any task she had undertaken
1t Was blotted with frequent erasures
and b!istered with many tears. i
Was written md re.written-sO anx
ious she was that while fully releasing
should let slip no word ofreproach or grie
thnt should give him pain. or mar the com
pleteness Of her own perfect selfsacriHcc.
1t was finished
Then still pale, and weak from the passag,
of that moral storm, she sat with her elbow
resting ont the table and her hend bowed dow
upon her Misunderstanding of tho marvellous
change that n few hours hud wrought in be-
distinguishing back upon what she lat
done. and looking forward to what she mus
suffer.
She waited for all to become quiet.
First. she heard Lady Elizabeth come up
stairs attended by her maid, and enter hel
chamber'on the other side OF the hall.
An hour latersls heard Orville Deville soft.
| ~ ascend the stairs and enter his he'd room
.lismissing his servant at the door. and NOV
| ing cautiously, IA in the fear OF waking her.
Finally she heard Elspeth come out OF Lad,
Elizabeth's chamber. pause and listen ut he
young lndy's door, and mntter-
Isle 10 nsleep; will not 60 in to disturb
her" and then trip away softly down th
| stairs.
Now all Was quiet. yet still for securit,
Adelaide waited another hour. Then arose
put on common cloth cloak and hood
such Us she usually wore about thu
plantation: and taking "neither scrip mol
VatA In vafk hos Lao. IL
down.stairs, aud through the hall to the
front door.
In that we'll kept house no lock grated and
no hinge creaked. At her touch. silently the
key turned. tho door opened, and Adelaide
stood upon the theshold Of the onco happy
home she was now about to leave at night,
alone, unfriended, and for ever!
As thus for one moment she stood, she look
ed forth os into the world she was about to
dare!
1t was dark and starleas night. 30 dark
tLat It vas only BY feeling tho coldnsss and