The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-03-23

ann 50 Y ~ " :;
whalesthe. creolSswas calm aud thor.
ought self poagea scd. The former
knew not the fearful abyss on the brink
OF which was standing while the lat
ter was contemplating It smilingly.
/ Gradually, but surely, was Sir Basil
falling into the power Of this arch ficnd
who would have no mercy whatever on
his victim. But Pelham Warrington
kept his cloven foot: out of sight, and
the baronet was full of confiding tr,ls.
In him. IS -
They reached the cottagc, and enter.
Ing 1t, found there a smiling, happy trio
namely, ParsOn Gilrutll, Gertrude,
and Roger Baldrick.
/. Sir Basil turned pale and certain jeal-
.Ons pangs shot through his frart ut the
sight Of his rival, who was stalwart
fellow, with an honest countenance,
bcaming and Intelligent, frank manners.
and an even buoyant spirit that set
care ut Il defiance, and put everybody
about him in the very hest Of humOrs.
Sir Basil presented his friend to the
Gilruths, and soon they were agrceably
conversing together; Lieutenant Bald
rick's voice raised high above the rest.
Once or twice Sir Basil paused to lis
ten to him: while he did 80, his hand
some lips curlcl disdainfully.
Was 1t possible that Gertrude could
prefer this boisterous sailor to his own
polished sclf?" he mentally cried. "Had
she no eyes. that she saw not the diff
ference 'twixt bOorish manners and
those gentle and rcfined?' he contin-
uetl to inwardly ask himself. as he sat
critically contemplating the young lieu.
tenants every gesture.
Presently the barOnet rous III himself
and prepared to net a part-to follow
the instructions given him by Pelham
Warrington.
ut Is u fine old place that flonsc OF
yours, Sir BASIL" Roger Bal Trick OBJ
served, In the course If converse ton
Il haven't been near 1t since was Il
mere lad; but 1 remember a lake filled
with gold fish, and sp. med by IL M.luti.
full bridge. Docs that lake still exist,
Sir Basil:"
II walked round it this very morn.
Ing"
'And the gold fish, Sir Ba.il?" pur.
sued the sailor.
Il really did not remark Them" re-
piled the barOnet. with something like a
sneer In his well tutorcd voice.
Not remark them" echoed Roger
Baldri,k. We'll, now, that's odd; and
you the master Of Raversnnll'sh"
will you come and explore the wa
tiers of the lake yourself! 1 shall be
delighted to see you at Ravensmarsll,"
the barOnet said, with stiff DLliteness.
Mr.. Gilruth," lie added, turning to the
old gentleman, ''hOnor me by dining at
ltavcnsnlarsll on wednesday next, and
by bringing with you your friend, Mr..
Baldrick."
Thanks, Sir Basil! l shall be very
happy to do SOL" the old parson re-
piled. pleased to receive the invitation.
"Gool!-at six O'clock"
1--WE shall not keep you waiting. de-
pend upon 1t, Sir Basil!' laughed old
Parson Gilruth.
Waiting. should think not, In.
deed" put In the lieutenant, checrily.
"A sailor knows how to obey orders.
l cannot tell you, Sir Basil, how glad
l shall be to see the quaint, old place
again!"
And to renew your acquaintance
with the goldfish, eli, Mr.. Baldrick ~
said the barOnet, with Il laugh.
Exactly. Sir Basilw returned the
young lieutenant, joining In the laugh
which had gone all round. "Tllat was
not 30 bad! I enjoy Il joke amazingly!"
lle added, rubbing his hands together In
high glee. -
Sir Basil coughed softly, and slightly
elevated his eyebrows, while the ere ole
produced his snuff-box, and ,luI.tll. took
thence stlndry pinches Of the nunyent
mixture
During the whole of this scare, Ger.
trlde had sat listening, saying not Il
word. She was beginning to think how
rongtAall Rogers ways appeared, when
contrastetsY With those Of Str Basil Dove
tree. Sir BdIils voice vas a winning
voice-a voice tliat fell melodi0usiy on
Il woman's ear. while that Of the sailor
was loud-toncd. and full of careless
jollity. Then there was a -,lanleless
air-an unstudicd grace-aAput the we'll
bred baronet, WHICH was mixing itself
particularly apparent t6S. her s al
this moment, AMI <cndfa{pg her
somewhat dissatisfied with. hGf sails
or lover. Once or twice; shettlstnId
away her head. and endeayored to- EN-.
ploy her thoughts with the neetileWork'
which was lying all unheedcd in her
lap; but presently her attention was
again riveted on the handsome and fas-
chatting baronet. and her stitches We're
running all awry.
Gertrude was yexetl with herself, and
she was likewise d little frightened of
the feeling that were stealing into her
breast.
Did She not love Roger Baldrick,
and was she not his promised bride?'
she repeated within herself. over and.
over again. oh, yes. sshe surely loved
him., and would be very happy as his
wife" -
Happy! Was she quite certain that
She would be happy as tie wife Of
Roger Baldrick?
Gertrude was modest, gentle and
good; she had no ambitious desires:
Dnt she had refined mind, aud, lately,
~ high appreciation Of good breeding
and elegant manners had suggested it.
self within her, and she had really be-
gun to admire Sir Basil ;Doyetree-the
man who had said he loved her, and
whose honorable offer she had but re-
Gently rejected. =:
Was she becoming fickle-hearted, that
she suffered her feelings thus to wavcr
about, and to he drawn away from the
point on which she had once deemed
them firmly fixed?
Gertrude was only nineteen years of
age. We cannot expect to find much
wisdom or serious reflection in one SO
young rs she. Besides, we must re-
member that she was country bred, and
inexperienced In many ways. Taking
these facts into consideration, we need
feel little establishment at her vacllla-
ton.
She was not dazzled by the young
barOnet's proud position, nor by his
wealth or his title; she admired him
simply for those qualifications in which
poor Roger was deficient. .ssss ;,
Gertrude sat, with pain in heart, nm
alyzing her changing sentiments to-
wards the two men before her, Every
syllable from Rogers lips were now
striking harshly on her ear, while Sir
Basirs tones each moment sank deeper
and deeper into her heart.
From this hour forward Gertrude's
sentiments towards Roger Ballrick un.
derWent complete alteration al
terltion which was plainly apparent to
the young sailor himself, whose visits
at the cottage, though frequent as ever.
We're proving far from pleasurable to
him now. Yet there occurred no omen
rupture between Gertrude and her
lover; there was only an icy GOODNESS
OH her part. and n denonstro tod oyor.