The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-05-18
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sofa, and CO opposed himself for Stun.
ber. leaving Gertrude standing in the
middle Of the floor to sleep or to re-
main awake. as best she pleased, until
morning light should appear.
Gertrude dared not fly; however
much she desired to escape out Of the
power of the creole, she could not do
SO, lest she should pull destruction
on Sir Rasil D0vetrees head. She was
surrounded by danger, and yet she
must not raise a finger to protect her.
self. She cared little for herself; all
her care. all her anxiety, all her fears
We're for the safety Of him who had be-
DOvetree she must, then, sacrifice her.
self-sacritice herself t., man whom
she lOathel; there was no extrication
for her but death, and TINT by her own
hand!
Twice and thrice Gcrtrudc's hand
grasped the knife she had concealed
beneath the folds of her dress, and the
thought Of self-tlestruction grew
stronger and stronger within her.
But" reflected she, II must not die,
leaving the venOmOus snake alive to
sting Sir Basil; better first to exterlnIn-
ate the reptile, then can depart in
some peace, assured that Basil will be
permitted to live to make an atone
ment for all his many sins. 1t would
but be q blow" she continued, her
hand on the handle of the knife, her
eyes fixed on the sleeping man before
her. "But have sufficient strength to
strike that blow which will be followed
by the crimson current Of life? Oh, no;
oh, no; let ME not contemplate the CON-
mission of such a frightful decd-lct me
not stain my hands with crime!
While these thoughts were rapidly
passing through Gcrtrude's mind, War
ringtOn moved uneasily once or twice,
us il his slumbers were being disturbed
by some troublesome dream.
| Gertrude now turned aside, and seat
cd herself in IN arm chair; the cham
Der lamp was Pickering and Pickering
away, casting ghostly shadows upon the
surrounding walls Of the dingy apart
ment, making every piece of furniture
look blacker and grimmer than before.
A whole hour had worn itself out,
yet Gertrude was still sitting Us before,
while the creole was breathing heavily,
his senses locked in a most profound
slumber, such US u man enjoys when
his conscience is at rest, and his
thoughts are untroubled by q single
care.
At this moment the panel partly un-
closed, and Coralinc's head stealthily
showed itself. Gertrude made no move
mcnt, uttered no sound, but narrowly
watched the woman's actions, War
rington continuing to breathe heavily
all the while.
"Fly!" whispered the woman in her
ear, grasping her shoulder Mt the same
time, and drawing her through the
opening. ely ut once! Now Is your
opportunity while lie sleeps" she add
cd, sliding back the panel into It's place.
and leading her companion down a
steep narrow staircase, ut the foot of
which there was u candle Wailing and
gutteiing itself away.
i've been listening to the villain, the
woman went on, hurrietlly, "and I've
heard enough to convince me that you
and another have fallen into my wick.
cd husbands power-oh, yes, you may
start, Pelham Warrington Is my lawful
husband-I wish to heaven it were
otherwise-and there is no love lost be-
tween us-the feeling we entertain to-
wards each other is mutual, aud Of the
very bittercst kind. Hasten to Sir Ba-
sill Dovetree. l have q good memory
for names, you see-and IL he be a
guilty man bid him put seas betwixt
himself and Pelham Warrington, else
the wretch will carry out his threats.
and bring destruction on the Baronet,
and on all belonging to him."
1T IL dark am stranger to the
rOad-in fact do not know where /
am. or what distance 1t Is hence to
Eagle Tower" hcsitated Gertrude.
You are very good, and I am most
grateful to you for this timely assist
ance Of yours, but"
Il would accompany you Us far as
Eagle Tower did not still value nv
wretched life; as it is can but direct
you OH your way thither, and wish you
IL speedy and safe Journey. You must
go away, without a moments delay"
the woman added, opening the street
door as she spoke, and looking out into
the darkness. Go on straight before
you for a good mile and a half, until
you come to where another road pre-
scnts itself, branching off in contrary
directiOn-in the direction Of Eagle
| Tower, which will be still ut a distance
of four miles from YOU"
"Thanks-thanks" uttered Gertrude.
preparing to depart. II owe you q
lasting debt Of gratitude. Heaven bless
you!" she continued, selling the w0-
mans hand, and wringing it. Then
Gertrude descended the house steps,
and pursued her way as instructed.
Drawing over her head the hood of
her clOak-which garment size had
never removed from her shoulders
Gertrude fastened onward and onward,
little needing the darkness or the hour,
thinking only OF her GRAND, and If
how quickly she would be enabled to
accomplish 1t.
She knew the importance of her mis-.
sion, and felt that every succeeding
instant increased Sir Basil's peril, for
on her flight being discovered BY War.
rington, he would pursue her Mt once.
and Basil would be lost forever.
When Gertrude reached Eagle Tower.
gray dawn was just pecping. AS she
stood before the massive, time-honortsl
portal Of the house, difficulty, of
= which she had not dreamed, ut once
presented itself to her. How was she
to gain admittance without the knowl-
edge of one or more Of the domestics?
And when that admittance mad been
obtained, how was she to account to
the servant for her strange absence
from her home, and her still stranger
return to it?
Gertrude reflected for some moments,
unable to decide upon her actions, re-
garding which there was the utmost
necessity to use caution.
II she could but enter the place with
! out arousing the household-enter it by
stealtll-all might he we'll; Mt least, as
well rs matters could be, where all
things We're Ill. In the southern wing
of the building there was a narrow
door, communicating with q private
staircase; that door was fastened and
unfastcned by means Of a curious
spring, the secret touch of which was
known only to a few, amongst which
was Gertrude.
Making her way TO the southern wing
Gertrude sought the obscure entrance.
and forthwith trying its fastening. Z.
which instantly yielded to her pressure.
she soon found herself in the corridor
leading to Sir Basll's chamber, into
which (presuming upon her old priv
ilcgcs), without the slightest ceremony
Of any kind, she entered.
But the bed was empty, and Sir Basil
was nowhere to be seen.
Gertrude stood amazed with her Gaze
6ynIl nm x,annnf oou.l,