The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-02-21

SCOrT.
1t was n large square back parlor. with
low ceiling, and walls darkenrl by age Or
smoke. The only two windows looked upon
| the side Of the mountain, against which the
house had been built, and which could be
reached rom them with AZ. out-stretclel
arm. From the room no glimpse o: the sky
was visible.
The ample Fireplace opposite the windows
was well supplied with great logs. which
smouldcrtl with II sulniued hrnt. that the
damrness of the house. aud the chilnrss OF
the late Sept, mLer evening, rendered accept
uh.e
From the centre Gi the iow.cciiing
hung an hoa lamp, directly over
a substantial round table of black
oak. Upon this table lay several Heavy
books; beside it. in II ru,lr. Ouken arm chair
covered with h"n,skins. sat an Individual, in
marked contrast with all his rtid. Surround
inYs.
lie wns n man considerably past middle
age. ola tall aud powerful form, with IL fine
head. thirkly covered with long. bnck hair.
threaded here and there with silver. wl.irh,
with his grizzly. black Lizard. framed in
noble face, Will, high, npuiIinc features, pale
complexion, AMI anxious expression.
His drss was one of aided sppmiur--a
rusty hlnck velvet coat, heavily cmbnssr,i
with tnrnislcd gold lace, black velvet knr,.-
hr~"ln's, ard black cloth g;,i,ers, fastened
| with .iiminui gold buttons.
| lie sat iacim" I III door. with unr hand rest-
| ing on The open volume upon the tubr, mud
| with his naughty head rnised in expectancy.
| Az the strangers rn cred he rose and stood
awmiting their approach.
My father. this is Lieutenant Devillr. tic
beripht,d traveller at whom | told yuu.'
said l.iunnr. presenting the guest.
Sutpris. aud Involuntary deep respect held
the young man silent, IL. he nude pro-
found how to his mysterious and distin.
gushe,l lacking host
| Upon bearing this name the elder man
started Violently, changed count rnance. and
! fixed an ustorisiiei gnze upon the face of his
unexpected guest.
| The utter recovered lis secpos.cssion,
mud extended his hand, saying, with stately
| md someM hat formal courtesy
| You are most Welcome, sir. to such poor
entertainment rs our mountain lodge uf-
| f0r,ls.
Il should apologize for this enforced In
triison. began the y0nng man.
sir please to im SEATED" gracefully IN.
trrru'tri ,l,r host, setting forward rongl
deal chair. and adding. lit IL very seldom
that this un rc'lurn,c,l neighbnrl.on,l affords
| us the pleasure of II lnssinG guest.
With IL second bow y0InE Drvilla placed
| his hat upon the table, and took tie offered
! c'lnir.
| you were with u. atl,lUrk's troops Mt the
disastrous amLuscade ON the march to Fort
DnGursIr, my daughter tells me-" said the
| host. rUuiteonslv.
II WAS sn unhappy us to SEQ that gallant
officer fall ani his troops cut to pieces"
replied the guest, with II scarcely ,eprcsse,l
gronn.
And you were woun,led'' suid Ills host,
with an expression of grave sympathy; add
ing. Il fear, sir TINT you have not fully re-
covered ynIr wounds
SIN truth. no; but. heing very anxious to
return home, I ret out just ar soon us was
able to sit my horse" replied the young
gentleman.
"An,l you have been exposed. in this invu-
| iii condition. to the storm; your garments |
| IRE WEI, remarked I H." elder gentleman, now |
| for the first time noticing the stcaming coat !!
! OF his guest
"A littlcdnmp: there wae not much rain on
the mountains. it passed off to the valleys;
the storm was mostly ,humicr and ,ightning. |
Pray give yourself no trouble, sir. said the
young soldier. observing TINT his host took
| u stuff that rested agninAt his char. und .
thumle,i loudly upon The floor.
"Nevert hcl"ss YOU will do me- the favor to |
change your clothing. replied the host.
His summons was answered by the en-.
trnnr" Of the dwnrfrd giant.
Vulcan. show this gentleman into my |
saii his MASTER
The giant tuckci his huge head, disappear.
| ell for mot!ieht, then r-uI'leniiny with u
| lamp. and stood waiting.
Li.utenunt Drvillr. understanding that lie
| was 10 follow tlis strange guide arose, and |
left the sitting room.
| Vulcan led Ill" strnngerEilrst into the hail. |
ut the back of which broad hut rudy .built |
staircasc conducted them TO an upper hall. |
corresponding exactly to the lower one.
.1k
young mnn to cllaml"r immediately over
the sitting-ro"m they had quilted.
| This apartment was furnished with Spartan |
| simplicity-an iron cnmlrle1stead deal
clothes-press. n wusllstnn,l. with appen,lnges,
| and two chairs com nlrrl its appoint melIte. |
The windows. in II line with those below, lc0k.
e.l out upon the same dark mountain side.
| In he fireplace. ut the opposite en,l of the !
room, II wood fire was already kntlled
The dwari.giant went to the clothes-prass
took out 81 faded srt o. maroon velvet. aud '
, Ibid it on the led. and stood in silence wait.
ing orders.
/ MIR. Deviile quickly iof:el his damp gnr.
] ments, With Vulcan took and hung across .
I the luck of IL chair before the fire. liz then
put on the dry suit and announced himself /
/ ready to return below.
| Vulcan took the cnndle and led the way
downstairs, and young Deville rr.rnterptl the
sitting room. His host received him with IL
| smile. and offered the vacant chair, which he
| Immediately took
One circumstance Ierplexe,l. and even en-
| lnrrusscd young Devie-th0ugh hs host re-
ccived him hospitality. ent-rt uinc,l him cordi-
ally. convrrse.l with him freely, yet he had
/ not announced to linn his name. Was il
from inrsct:uness. dstrnst: or caution. or
| was it i'll the expectation that he -Drvillr-
would ask it? It might hr the Inter- At
any rate. the young mnn resolved to net
| upon the slpposition. for lie found it excess
lively awkward to maintain IL heightened
. conversation with one Whose name lie did
not know. lie commenced. and with his
most persuasive smile and deferential tone.
| lesnid-
II have yet. believe. to learn the name
Of the honorcl hast who has so promptly
extended the shelter oi his kindly roof to the
stranger
A dark cloud gathered upon the brow o.
once or twice over his forehead aud then. re-
moving it, fixed his eyes cnlmly upon the
luestiOncr. aud answered.
Il am called Dcla!orct.'
His guest bowed. II shall never forget
the name" liz said.
Then he musc,l-
$50 my beautiful dark huntrcss is named
!.ionne Denloiet II pretty nnme and like
her. Stop! il means something. too! 1t
means oness %! the forest" Here il some
subteruec. lie said he was called Della
inret. lie did not say his name was sucll!
True. he il of the forest;' hut that is not his
name. Here is some mystery. into which by
the way have no right to pry.'
His transient rcv"'ie WINS broken by thc,n-
trance OF Vulcan. who thrust in Ills huge
head. oLmnc'l his mouth with one word
''Surpcr!" aud Disappeared.
Come, MIR, Devillr.' said lie, 'of the for.
est. rising ani leading his guest across the
hail to the spacious kitchen Immediately op-
posite.
There, at the head off great oak tnblc.
the beautiful tionne presided overa substan
lial supper o: coffee. homemade bread and
but ter. aud venisOn steaks.
Soon after supper the guest retired to
dream OF Lionne.
CHArTERIv.
Even 70 quickly may one catch the pague!
SHAKESPEARE.
"LloNHE: I.:onne.'
After II night Of :evcrsl, visions, half rap.
ture, half torture. Orvi!le Devile nwoke with
this name upon his glowing lips.
He nwOke with pale cheeks aud heavy eyes,
slnouldering beneath their langui ills with
suppressed fire. like burnngroals under their
veil OF white nslrs; lie awnke with Leuting
brain. and burning heart. and uuivrring
pulses. in real fever. the combined effects q
i!l-hen'rl Wounds, exposure fatigue. und pms.
sonal excitement.
lie threw on the heated caverlets, arose,
and looked ont from The windows.
ND glimpse Of the sky could be srrn-notl.
ing hut the grey rocks aud tEe lMnrfed CO.
dars of the perpendicular mountain siic,
within three feet OF the windows. met his