The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-04-06
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III1 Ia s i


institute search In all the likely and
unlikely places round about; for wher
a man be missing, we must find him
II we can"
ITO be sure" said the creole very
blandly.
And then the cOnstablcs departed.
Two more days having elapsed will
out any tidings being gained Of thu
missing man, his mother caused print
cd handbills to be posted all round thu
county. advertising the loss OF her son
and Offering a reward to any person Of
persons who could bring her any infor
nation concerning him.
But, as you may imagine, the trouble
she put herself to was of no avail; FOL
no traces whatever Of Roger could b,
found.
All this while, Sir Basil D0vctret
manifested the profoundest interest II
this affair. which had awakened til,
attention Of the whole country; and III
was to be met at all hours, riding hith
or and thither. engaged in pretended
quest after the haplcss man whom III
had flung into the lake, in whose deeI
bosom he was lying buried for aye.
A whole week went by and the child
less widow now sat by her home fire
side alone. her eyes red with constant
weeping, her heart heavy and sore
She felt that she should never see hin
again that her darling son was gon.
from her for ever.
For a time Gertrude looked pale and
sOrrowful over the loss of her lover
but Sir Basil's daily visits ut the cot
tage soon dissipatel all her regrets
and restored the roses to her cheeks
again.
Sir Basil marked the blushing smiles
with which Gertrude now ever wei
coined his approach; he felt her hand
trcmble In his whenever he greeted her
or babe her farewell; and he knew tina,
he was beloved by hcr-that that which
he had coveted. so sinncd for, was al
length all his own.
But he was gllartlcd-the creole had
c0unselled him to be so-anh, for Il
time he made no mention 10 her of his
own feelings. Yet, If Sir Basil's ton
que were silent on the subject Of his
affection. certainly his eyes We're not
so; and had he used all Tic words in
the dictionary, he could not have OK
pressed his sentiments in a clearer or
more fOrcible manner than he was do.
ing now.
Gertrude's love for Roger Baldrick
had been much like that of sister.
Roger and she had been acquainted
with one another from earliest child
hood. and Gertrude had thought she
cared for him well enough to become
his wife, and hence she had been prom
ised to him. But now she really un-
derstOOd what 1t was to love with all
the earneStneSs and devOtetlness of her
seX-to love as woman ought to love
and Gertrude was changed being.
She regarded Sir Basil with an absO.
lutte reverence and worship. Without
his presence, the day was dark; but
when he appeared-ah! then all was
sunshine and brightness.
And, under the influence of her new.
ly-awakcned feelings, Gertrude's
charms seemed to expand themselves;
and, on each succeeding day, Sir Basil
noted in her some fresh beauty, some.
thing new to admire.
Gertrude was no rustic maid-War.
rington erred when he called her such
she was tolerably educated, some.
what accomplished, and had an innate.
~ refined mind and disposition. in
fact Gertrude was thoroughly femi.
nine, and thoroughly charming as we'll
and was quite worthy to become the
mistress of Ravenmarsh.
Time, the healer of all wounds, soou
lessened Sir Basil DOvetree's terrors
and, by degrees, his mind seemed to be
restored to something like its former
state Of peace.
But though the outward surface wat
clear and smooth, there lay in the hid
den depths of Sir Basil Dovetree's sou
an ever-surging sea Of stormy tribula
ton and terror, which in the lone hour.
of darkness often made itself sharp
~ felt.
He had many a sleepless night
many a night Of terror and DESPAIR
but he struggled with his conscienc,
and to some considerable extent h.
cOntrived to hush its keen upbraidings
His passion for Gertrude hourly In
creased; and he grew impatient to ash
her hand-that hand he had SO dearl,
purchased.
At this period Sir Basil commenced
making many alterations ut Raven
marsh, and scores Of workmen were
engaged In repairing and refurnishinl
the old place. The grounds underwear
complete change, and trees were GU
down, fower-beds were planted, an
Gent terraces were swept away; ant
lastly the lake was filed up, aud it.
waters drawn away.
The young baronet breathed moro
freely now; for a smooth greenswart
was covering the spot where his vic
tim slept, and he deemed himself thor
oughly secure; and his dropping heat
raised itself, the old light returned t.
his eyes, and his step was as buoyan
as Of yore.
Il am getting quite weary Of Thu
place, BASIL" yawned the creole, on,
day. Il am longing to taste the de
lights Of town again! Looking at greer
trees and fields may suit some peopl,
very well, but such a prospect does no
satisfy me. Come back with me t,
London, Basil.'
May, cannot do so Just ut present
Pelham. What care for the gay me
tropolis Gertrude is all the world t.
me, and she is here"
The creole was silent for q few sec
onds. He was arranging the mode o.
his proceedings; he, the spider, wa.
weaving his meshes more firmly abou
his poor weak, fly, lettering its limb.
and its wings In his subtle and clingin,
web.
Eyes, she is here, az you say; bu
when she is yours, you will surely car
~ her up to London Warrington said
interrogatcly. You'll not think longc
OF burying yourself here in this gloom,
place."
Il have not thought of where I shall
henceforth abide" Sir Basil replied. NIB
sently. perhaps may choose Ital,
Tor my home-at least, for some time
may wish it"
HAS anything been decided or
'twixt you and Gertrude?' asked til,
creole.
Nothing at all. 1 have not ono,
spoken to her of our future. hay,
matter"
Good! Now, what are you intentions
; "Marriage" answered the youn,
naronet, without q moments hesita
ton.
"Ah. marriagew repeated Warning
ton. taking snuff. ITO be sure. maj
riagc; but not legal one?'
Yes; as legal as the law can max
The creole laughed jecringly. "Yo
are testing my friendw he said, 81 On,
not believe that YOU are earnestly cor
templating introducing Gertrude to tn
world as lady Dovetree. No, nc
Gerty Is a pretty toy with which I
decorate some country bower, or auie
suburban retreati but, as 1 have sal
before, she will never do to mix in hig
life as the mistress Of Ravenmarsi
| You would NOT like tn oxnnao yo,,.so,