The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-03-02
Cl.AI,TEI,, L.


The village of Ravcnslnarsh was all
astir-fOr the heir Of the late Sir Mon
tayue Dovctree lad returned to the
take possession Of the estates which
had dcvolvcd to him.
The heir wore no more vesilGG of
mourning, for a period OF more than u
year had elapsed siuee his fathers spir-
it had slipped lifc's cable. and taken
mnorings in another world.
Sir Basil Dovetree leant back IN his
open carriage with an air Of naughty
languor. scarcely condcscendins to nc
knowledge the salutations OF those who
had assembled to receive with becom-
ing honour their future landlord, tho
new master OF Kaveuslnarsh.
The bells OF Itavensmarsh Church
We're merrily pealng; gay flags We're
flying out OF every cottage WINDOW;
the peasants were all attircd i'll their
holiday clothes; band of music was
playing on the village green: and, last
ly, there was Il fox to he chased that
day.
but the almost blase Sir Basil heed
cd not the harmonious chimes that
were ringing through the air, nor the
floating flags and StreImers, nor his
tenants Sunday suits. nor tho discord
ant musicians. who played neither Ill
time nor in tune: no, he still lounged
back in his softlycushionetl carriage.
listlcssly talking 10 the companion at
his side.
Sir Basil's companion was a swartlly
creole. a man handsome. fashionably
attiretl, and dis,inguishr,l-loo hut
the features OF Pelham Warrington
(such was the name of the young Raro-
nets friendly Notwithstanding that
they were regular and beautifully
formed, could wear at times a sinister
and cruel expression, when his nostrils
would curl dis,lainfully, his black
eyes flash with terrible splen-
dour. and his white. cleaning
teeth maliclo,lsly display themselves.
No one knew his nntccet!cnts. nor
whence lie came, nor by what means
he lived: hut, ais he dressed i'll richly
embroidered suits. wore rr.i'ies of the
finest Mechlin lace, used I'll gold snuff
box studded with large diamonds and
emeralds. carried his sword with man.
~ ease and grace. drank deeply. swoie
loudly. and riskcd large sums ut cards
and dice. lie passed for one Of gentle
birth and breeding. anu was according
~ received as sucll-and Sir Basil had
chosen him for his companion and most
particular friend.
\ dangerous companion for one rich,
vacilntiiig, and weak. was this Pei
liam Warrington; bur having gaugcd
the young heirs shallow understand
ing, the creole. like q lcecll. Mt once
fastened III him. resolving never to let
go his hold until compelled to do so.
Sir Basil was easy in disposition. and
wholly unsuspicious, while Pelham
Warrington was willy and clever in all
respects.
Sir Basil yawned. rs his carriage
passed slowly along the village street;
the cheering shouts around him, greet
ing him ut every advancing step. awak-
encd in him no pleasurablc emotion.
bur, Oh the contrary, seemed rather 10
to weary and annoy him.
II wish to heaven had stolen into
lsavc,slllarsil under the cover of
night" lie said pettishly. II hate nll
this sort of demonStration-it'g SO
troublesome TO respond to-
The creole slightly elevated his Shout
dcrs.
What dull. hunlrum kind of place
this ltavcnsmarsli is-eh, Warrinston!"
continued the young baronet. II would
not be induced to live here ever for an
earldom. No. nothing Oh earth could
bride me to bury myself at Ravens
marsh
Il should think not, indced!" the
creole returned, with another Of his
shrugs.
NO, nc; give me London-Lontlon,
with all It's many charms and de.
lights--cll. Warrington? Hang Ravens.
marsh. and all its stupid Inhabitants.
say l."
Il agree with you. Sir Basil"
haven't seen ltavcnsmalSh since
l was 81 mere boy" proceeded the bar
onet. musingly. II remember 1t as a
queer old place; and 1 dare say time
has not improved Its appearance"
Your late sire lived there all his life,
did lie not!" asked Pelham.
He vegctated there during the
greater portion of his existence;
SO will not I. He cooped himself
up within its gloomy walls and let his
large fortune grow larger and larger;
which example shall not follow, be-
lieve m".''
Warrington laughed softly, and rub
bed his glovel hands together.
by St. George: exclaimed Sir Ba-
sill. abruptedly starting forward with
sudden -:lwakened interest. what Il
pair OF eyes! What nair-whut lips
and a complexion like alabaster!'
What in the name Of wonder stirs
you thus" inquired the creole.
"A divinity. Warrington-a perfect
divinity! Look ut her!
lat whom:'
'At her. A girl standing under yon-
der cottage porch"
by the side Of an aged MANI"
"Ay::" replied the young Baronet
"Confound the fellow, how fast he Is
driving us!" lie went on in a complain
ing tone. "Is she not beautiful, War
rington:'
'"rruly SO. Who Is shc?"
NAY, how should know. vino am Il
stranger here! But before l am Il day
older. VOW that l will tell you all
about her."
Bravo! SO it seems that wa shall
have something to enliven us during
our stay here. Basil?"
It's: The bird is mine to pursuc:"
And to bag, IL you can. Assur1ly
1t is"
1.-The sport may serve to render Raw.
cnslnarsh somewhat cntlurable to lis
for the time that we may stay in it,
Sir Basil remarked, in i calculating
tone.
ITO be sure" agreed the creole,
blandly.
Sir basil Dovc,rces languor had
radiant with eager animation and
pleasure. No longer did he lolr bacl;
amongst the carriage cushions, looking
weary and annoyed: he had n bow and
and q smile for all around him now.
Pelham Warrington marked the
change in his companions dencannur
rs Ii. did so dark frown contracted
his features. and his glistcning teeth
gnawed his lips with frctful impa
t!ence.
Sir Basil entered his ancestral dwell
in. unn,indfnl OF its ancient structure
his thoughts were all absorbed by til,
recollection Of the beautiful girl he had
just seen in the village.
And there was another under tho
roof of Ravensnlarsl whose thought:
We're similarly engaged. Tha; Other
was the swarthy creole.
Evening was flingins its gray man
tie over the landscape, when Sir Basi
Dovetrce started up from the rich DIES
sert before him.
"IIcyday" calculated Pelham. look
Ing up at the Baronct.