The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-02-09

my sister nat compoaelly b. the flfe
and sewed. By any by. NE looked
up.
ut rains 20, I hardly think Charles
win 90 up ON the mountains to marry
that couple. after all"
Just then my brother-in-law entered.
who are these people you are going
to marry?' I asked. a
II have tho license In my pocket
len Mary Lee" =.
"Ellen Lee! Nelly Lee! Oh, I must
be beside myself to think Of it." +.
Think whatp
'eThat 1t could be the Nelly Lee I
used to know at e. school,"
"Oh. 1t must bel" said Charles. s.aoW
soon can you get on your fineries, my
dear?"
I'm ten minutes"
ION with you then. You shall Co."
Nelly's wedding! kept saying over
and over to myself. Often had she
promised that should bc her brides
maid; often had We planned the dresses
we would wear.
I questioned my brother-in-law close
" after We were safely under way,
him.
All he knew was TINT three years be-
fore o Mr.. Lee had taken one of the
farms on the mountain and afterward
died there, leaving his daughter Ellen,
or Nelly, quite dependent ON her own
resources.
And what did she tlo?' asked.
Brave little woman! Put up shin
gle over the side of the house where
she was living with Ellen NJ. Lee. tail
oress,' OH 1t and went to work."
mfr. Lee died dreadfully In debt, and
she has cleared up everything. You
should hear the farmers talk about her.
They think she is an angel in the shape
OF q woman"
"But who is ahe going to marry?"
"A young. miller"
'Nellie a mlller's wife!'
and why not, pray?" q"
Nellie was SO refined.
$50 she is now.'
"All-but will 1t Inst long-am0ng
these people?"
Charles looked thoroughly vexesl.
Upon my word hardly expected to
hear such nonsense from your lips.
1t would do well enough for an English
woman to speak In that way Of English
peasants. but you know, or ought to
know, what our people are.
''They have n free land to live In
and free schools to educate them; they
are themselves free. and liberty of It.
self gives dignity to the humblest.
Refinement, indeed! My mother,
God bless her! was poor farmers
wife, and there was not a duchess In
all Europe more the lady. Don't be
afraid; your Nelly will be none the
worse for the years she has spent here"
glanced forward through the driving
rain, and saw tall, lOnesOme-lOoking
frame house, implanted and unshaded
by tree or shrub, standing at one side
Of the road.
A score or two OF wagons were drawn
up under the shed opposite. A group
Of young men were talking under cover
Of w0od-house that looked down
the road. One of them eyed us curious
" and then dartetl into the house.
We drove In at the great gate, left
Hospitality open, and up to the porch.
Two or three of the young men came
forward to hold the horse while we
alighted.
One of them, n tall, handsome fellow
of twenty-five, with dark eyes and
curling black hair, helped me out Of
the carriage. Charles shook hands with
him cordially.
"Well, George. were you afraid I
was not coming?"
''No, sir, we knew you would not dis
appoint us, but were sorry you had to
come out on such a day. II you and tho
lady will step in will bring Nelly
down."
You had better take my sister with
YOU. ! think she Is an old school friend
Of Nelly's."
The young miller turned toward me
with bright smile.
IAN Nelly's friends are mine," he
said. "Will you come with me to see
herr"
We went up stairs, leaving Charles In
the little parlor with Georges parents.
Nelly's room was quite ut the top of
the house. He knocked. I drew hack
out of sight. Presently Nelly looked
out.
"Oh, George, it can't be time! And
then, this miserable rain!'
II have brought you some sunshine,
Nelly"
He stepped aside and her eyes fell
upon me.
"Jane-my dear old Janet" and she
threw herself into my arms aud cried
like n baby.
Hush, Nelly-on your wedding day
you must not cry" and George and I
led her into the modest little chamber
and soothed her until she grew calm.
. We went down into the great home
parlor," which was filled with people
whom had never seen before.
Charles stood beside table drawn
up in front Of the fire-he gave me
a quiet look out Of the corner Of his
eye as Nelly paused before him, blush-
ing and looking us II she was just ready
to cry.
stationed myself beside her and the
ceremony began. 1t was short and sim.
pie. Charles bent down and touched
his lips to the brides cheek.
MANY happy years to you, Mrs. Van
Sittarl," he said, kindly.
Nelly started.
"ts it over, Mr.. Trevor? Am really
married:''
"You really are!''
Good gracious! Why, 1t was moth.
ing SO. dreadful, after al-was 1t,
(ieorge?'
There was a burst of laughter and
! every one thrOnged around. eager to
kiss the bride. George took good care
to be first aud then stood looking on
with smile.
Supper was announced during the
conversation, and was honorcd by a
seat next to the bride. The meal being
over, our carriage stood at the door
she went with me to say go0d-by.
"Comc and see me next week in my
new home at the MILL" she whispered.
"You will like it better than this-and
| we can have good long talk about old
times"
We drove away. 1 looked back at
her slight figure as long as the house.
was in sight, and then fell into a At Of
musing.
"a penny for your thoughts" said
! for the last five miles,"
II was thlnking-what q wonderful