The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-05-11
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:llIDK - " ~ "
oll one condition. only"
II am hearkening to you" she lloarse-
~ returned.
Swear to become my wifi without
delay, and l will bear YOU hence, and
protect you with my life itself; refuse
to do rs 1 would have You, and you are
lost beyond recall"
Gcrtrude's knees gave way beneath
her, and she sank into u chair, unable
to make linn amy reply.
You could no longer remain untlsr
this roof. knowing what you do" he
added. You could not look upon the
face Of the man who sent Roger Bald
rick out Of the world"
"Oh. Basil, Rasil!" she burst forth,
Historically. "Oh, Mr.. Warrington. he
mcrciful to the poor wretch before
yOu!" she added. fi:,ntically. Open
the easement, and dash me heldlong
from. it-for death. caused by any
means, will be welcome to me-"
You are going mad" he said. quite
calmly. You are too young and too
beautiful to die; you must live for love,
and form e." he continued, with sudden
fclvor.
"Bcgone! She returned. sprin:ing
from her seat, and confronting him
boldly. "BegOne, your presence is quite
hateful to mc:'
Nevertheless you will have to put
up with it. love. BE reasonable, Ger
trudc. will be your devoted slave,
If You will suffer me to be sllcl-if
not, will be your direct enemy; and,
through my testimony, shall Sir Basil
Dovetrce meet the punishment lie SO
richly deserves. Say-would you pre-
serve his neck from the halter?" he
asked, cOarsely.
She uttered loud vail of agony,
:nd beat the palms Of her hands to-
gethcr in helpless bewillcrment and
terror
"Hc must not die" she said, rcsolutc-
ly. "If he he the guilty wretch you
have represented him to be, lie must
live in order to atone for his most sin.
full tr:lllSGtpSsions. will saw" him mt
every price--at the cost of life itself,
IL need be!'
You must not see Sir Basil more"
answered the subtle creole. Go to
your chamber, and remain there. Dis
miss your woman on any prctcNt You
please; and at night, when Sir Basil is
in the midst of md revels. l will cone
to YOU, and lead you beyond the pre-
circts OF Eagle Tower, where 1 will
have Il carriage 10 convey yOu to am
other homo. over which will give YOU
the legal right to reign mistress"
Gertrude bowed her head in token
that she had heard his words; and he
unlocked the door, and flung it wide.
You swear to act according TO my d.
II ctions!" lie said.
Il swclr::" She replied; and, with
those words, Gertrude staggered out of
Pelham WarriEgton's chamber, and
sought her own, wherein she locked
herself securely.
She then threw herself upon her
knees by the side of her bed, and tried
TO pray; but her feelings were in such
II state of cotnnlotion and terror, that
she could only moan, and wiring her
hands, and rock her body to and fro.
Great heaven! She was not the wife
tllell--Oll. what was she? Did the ere
ole speak truly when lie accused Sir
Basil Of destroying Roger Bald
lin hic' Almighty poWcis, AofpNt:
what was She to do?-whither could
she turn for advice. In this her day Ut
retrlbutton anu trial:
On, II the great hand above would
but stretch itself out, and mercifully
eNting'lish her young hfe-that life
wnch would henccforth De only Il
Irignttui buruen to her'-how grateful
W. Hid she De:
why. why had she been born to be
the innocent cause OF SO mu"l sin.
But ior her, poor Roger ballrlcK
might nave been still alive, and Sir
f;asll DOvetre"s halsds Tree ITO Tie
STAN OF s,nl.
aes' SIT basi! nan spufhcu 1T heavens
calct, ana Iulnlleu MS own. Gertfude
was convinced that ne nad necn TO
his own soul Diihd. anu so had iost It.
ANA she still loved this man-this map
who had deceived her so cruelty, WHIP
h:ld committed most arcA decd u
pite0us niassacrc-and She was abous
to preserve, him from Justice, and thA
dread punishment OF the hw-to prC5
serve him, ut the sacrifice. OF herself. 4
Ay, such Is wOmhn's lOve-such ii
the strength of her devotion!
Gertrude was not disturbed until hc7
mail came to inform her that her lionel
~ dinner was waiting for her.
Il am not well. Milford" Gertrude
replied, hiding her CHASTITY face fronS
her dOmestic's observance. Il CANNOT
cat. Should Sir Basil inquire after mej
say that l have Il headache, and tina
have given directions not to be disa
turbcd. You understand me. Mitforl:"
Yes. the woman perfectly Understood.
and quietly withdrew. Gertrude making
fast the door behind her.
Evening was now fiinains her grey
mantle around Eagle Tower. At her
charming window Gertrude was watch
Ing the fadin. landscape and the ill.,
creasing glOonl-hcr brow knitted. her
teeth set together, her fir gers clenchcd.
despair and madness In her heart and
Train; for the hour when she must quit
Eagle Tower, and contiie herself to Il
Villains power, was fast approaching.
at length she rose, and strobe firmly
to tho fireplace, over which by way Of
ornament, was Eanging many quaint
| Knives, daSgcrs. AMI firearms. Ger
t1ude secured one of the wcapons-a
oroad-bladcd knife. keen as a razor
Which she concealed about her person;
then she resumed her seat ut the will
dow and peclede out into the thickcn-
ing gloom.
AT this moment, Sir Basil Dovetrc"
and his guests were r.velling over IL
splendid repaSt served in the banquet