The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-04-20

Exclaimed Gertrude.
walls, and its deeply. mullloned win
dows."
"And-and arc we going to live
tkere:" she inquired. with something
like dread creeping into her breast. 80
"Yes, we are going to reside there for
u time" he answered. Eagle Tower
is quite palacious residence, and is
we'll worthy to receive ':y BRIDE"
Again she shuddered. A vague terror
was beginning to I'LL her mind.
Gertrude" Sir Basil said, with ap-
rarent frankness Of manncr,-"Gcl~
tl1lde, tut away these sad looks of
yturs-they are looks ill:befitting O
bride to wear-and let me see your
face once more decked in all its old
smiles. Be reasonable, dearest, I en-
trtst. Why, In heavens name, what.
after all, has he done, that you sh .ull
thus darken your brow ag inst your
husband on your wedding day? He
has broken 81 silly, worthless promise,
which any other man placed In similar
circumstances would have made. and
broken Just as readily as I have doLe;
in love, as in war, every scheme IS
justifiable. Come, will make another
| covenant WIN yOu
ITO be broken like the first?"
NAY; only suffer this day to pass in
peace. and in smiles and love, and I
pledge my sacred word that / will
carry you buck to Ra7ensmlrxh to-
morrow"
"St dirg messenger thither to. night
to assure my grandfather of my pres
ent safety and my whercabouts!" sue
eaet rly asked.
Yes, will send Il mounted lnessc1-
ger at once to your grandfather"
'Blt he will not reach Ravensmarah
until midnight" she said. "Oh, how
much the old nan will be made to suf-
fer for my sake, ere he Is informed of
my iEgratit,Nle anil unw0rthinessy. she
added, in self-accusing tone.
Am forgiven, Gertrudc?" Sir Basil
asked, sitting by her side. and speak
ing In caressinR accents-whfcll she,
with her young heart full of love for
him, could not resist.
She pressed his hand; and, at the
same moment the conveyance Stopped
before the principal entrance Of Eagle
Tow or, around which q whole crowd of
liveried lackeys We're waiting to re-
ceive Sir Basil Dovetree and his fair
companion.
Gertrude was not Mt ill impressed hy
all this outward show; indeed, her
heart was far too heavy to allow her
even to notice 1t.
As she passed under tile portal of
Eagle Tower cold thrill seemed to
pervade her whole frame, and her
head was bowed. us IL unable to keep
itself erect according to its wont.
Sir Basil held Gertrude by the hand,
and together they passed over the
threshold Of the ancient mansion, greet
ed by many obsequio,ls domcstics, and
l,elng formally received by Pelham
Warrington.
Gertrude started ut the sight of the
creole; she was not expecting to see
him, and his sudden appearance some-
what astOnishel her.
But Sir Basil had treasured her with
fresh promises, and she was not in
cliled to feel disheartened Or displcaseil
at this moment. The late misunder-
standing between herself aud the baro-
net existed no longer. and Gertrude.
was cnce more full Of smiles, conf
; de- nee, and love.
At midday ON the morrow Sir Basil
Of peared before Gertrude with u
rournful visage, as one who had sor-
lOwful tidings to relate.
Shit looked up anxiously. HAS tho
n eesepger returned fro,n Ravens.
u artllY' she inquired, uneaslly.
Eyes, he has," answered the baronct.
his eyes avoiding her questioning gaze
And what news does he bring
tkcEC"" e1le intcrroglted, her face RAP
idly changing color. from white to red
thence lack to white again.
Sir Basil Dovetree turned away for q
few seconds. his countenance full OF
painful embarrassment and shame. Not
yet, not quite yet, could he play 81
false part, or lie without blushing and
tlepidation.
Gertrude was awaiting his reply, he,
gaze fixed ON his shifting eyes and
twitching features.
II have some unexpected tidings t.
communicate to you, dearest" he aid
delivering himself awkwartlly, md
growing greatly confused.
"UDexpected tldings!" she repeated
in sudden alarm. about. what, 0l
wh0m?''
His lips were parched; O wicked
falsellood was struggling to find utter
nnce between them.
? ITO Re- Continuadl