The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-04-13

Great heaven, Warrington, I reall
cannot bring myself to do her such
systematic, cruel wrong! Sir Bas
cried out excitedly. BLESS her hear
she's rs pure as she's beautiful, and
should be wretch Of the blackest dyt
did | In any way attempt to sull
that purity!"
oh, what a rhodomontade, to b
sure!"
ut may seem such to your rctorte
the young barOnet, somewhat hastily.
The creole leaned lack in his cllail
crossed his legs and relaxed the mus
cles of his face.
"Rasil," he commenced. after a pn,ls
Of some duration, Il am you best fricn
and yet you will not see that am such
You are wanting 10 thrust your hand
into manacles and am trying to pre-
vent your SO doing. For all this, yo
treating me as such. Very well; sine
my honest counsel Is not required.
will leave you to work your own ruin
GUS downfall"
So saying, the creole rose with nj
Offended air and prepared to quit III
apartment.
Stay. Warrington, entreat" 81
Basil exclaimed. starting TO his feet
and preventing the creole's retreat. %
know you are my friend. but"
But what|
Sir Basil hesitatetl. He had no self
reliance-no strength of mind; he VII.
as n straw In the fingers of the creole
whom he had learned to regard as one
full Of experience and wisdom.
Have not sinned enough already: 2
he asked, with white, qulvering lips
I'D like to make amends for tina,
dreadful crime" he added, Significantly
pointing through the window In the
direction Of the green lawn, which roW
covered the place where the ornamental
lake had once been. II feel that
should not like to add one dark deed
uron another. II Gertrude's Iii. nc II
be not fit for the society Of the ceu1 tly
Thong, l will avoid such throng, nnd
make myself happy with her by our
own firesitle, and amid a circle Of chos.
en- humble friends"
"Ay. and lead q Darby and Joan sort
Of life with farmers aud their wives
as your constant companions. Heaven
preserve you. Basil. from such G Lrm.
drum cxistencc! Why, man alive, after
n couple of months sp,lt after the
fashion YOU describe, you'd quarrel with
your wife for mere pastime-by st.
George, you woodland finish the mat
ter by going melancholy mad. and
shooting yourself through the head"
The young baronet looked uncomfort-
able, and undecided as we'll. Warning
toms haunting words were beginning
to take effect upon his weak, wavcring
mind.
You know best, Pelham he said,
after slight pause. shape my af-
fairs even as you will, 1 am sure that
you will study only my interest and my
happiness"
You are right, Basil-you ere quite
right" the creole returned, In an up
parcntly sincere tone. Trust to my
judgment, and you shall nev,r have
cause to repent that trust, bait eve me!'
Il do believe you, Warrington do
believe you!" the young baronet very
earnestly replied.
Then the wicked creole and his weak
dupe sat down and together concocted
their infamous plans.
On tho morning succeeding the above
| described scene, my hero directed his
footsteps toward the cottage Of Parson
Gilruth, who was now confined to his
chamber, q helpless invalid, suffering
from n severe attack of the govt, and
from many Of the infirmities Of age as
well.
Sir Basil would be certain to find
Gertrude alone, and that there would
be no obstacle to the vile project Inc
had in view he was equally US certain
He nevertheless faltered a little over his
mission, for, Notwithstanding the terri
BILE deed he had committed, he was moi
in heart a bad man; he was impulsive
yielding and rash, owning no steadfas
will Of his own, but ever ready to fol
low that of another.
Into q sea Of guilt Sir Basil had taker
the first terrible plunge, and now deep
or and deeper into its dark waters b.
was sinking fast. He could not extri
| cate himself from them, strive ant
struggle as he would to do 80; SO h
sufferde the dark current to carry hin
onward and onward, making little re
| siStance against its downward sway.
Sir Basil entered the cottage, and q
he was expecting found Gertrud,
alone. He felt rather embarrassed
| and he looked precisely as he felt. H,
went into Mr.. Gilruth's chamber, and
| for the sake of appearance only, 81
| down with the old man for a while
Then Sir Basil left him, and saunteret
/ into the garden Mt the back of tn
house. where Gertrude was engaged II
| attending to her flowers. He was yer.
| silent he was mcditating by what word
/ ho on,pl6 min fa,s fN hio r,s,rsnnan
Leave those flowers, Gertrude, an(
come listen to me for a time" he sal,
at last.
Talk away, Sir Basil, I can hear yo1
very WE'LL" she replied, looking up from
her task, and giving him one of he
sweetest smiles.
mo, no, you cannot, dear Gertrude,
he continued, STOPPING over her kneel
ing figure, and gently raising her.
She began to blush anc tremble, an,
feeling her cheeks burn painfully, sh
averted her flce from her companion
ardent gaze.
Drawing her arm through his. he lie,
he's towards the little summcr-house-
a spot retired, cmbowered by climbing
plants, by the honcysuckle and tn
sweetbrler.
Here We can talk to enc nnothe
without any fear Of interruption" tn
young baronet added, as together the.
took their seats within the shaded re
treat. You know ON what subject
am about to speak, dear Gertrude?
he asked, his arm gradually creepin
round her waist.
She did not make him any reply
Joy and love combined together kep
her silent.
MAY 30 on?" he Intercepted, soft
ly drawing her closer to himself.
She remained silent; but her finger
resting in his palm, gave II fond pres
sure.
Long ago, Gertrude, told you o
my affection" he went on, In tone
somewhat unsteady; shut at that tim
there was an obstacle between us,an
you rejected my OTTER, and"
And here slr Basil broke Oft abrup
ly, something like shudder and an II
ward moan stopped his further speech
Presently he again proceeded; VIVA
answer will you give to my preser
L