The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-05-11
MISS MADELLE.

/
flushing, sparkle Of pleasure In hi,
large, sad eyes.
The squire laughed. He nodded us
sent TO the boys admiration. He wai
n big, stalwart. stralght-limbcd man ol
30. with well cut features, shor,
brown beard, fair, wavy hair. and 9
charming air Of dlstin .tion and gentle
i ness.
"They IRE lovely. Jamie. And they
are for lovely girl. l want you t.
take them to Rockhavcn. and glvt
them, with my compliments, to thu
pretty Miss Madcllc."
Jamie felt for his crutcll, and pulled
himself up out of the bed of soft, young
grass, where he had been lying prone
enjoying all the scents. sights and
sounds of the afternoon in early spring
III be glad to. There's no flowers
good enough for her."
fright you are, Jamie"
When Jamie stood up there was
something pitiful in the contrast be
tween him and the squire. He was moi
noticcably dcformctl, but he was under
sized and shlunkcn. The pale young
face was not without a certain girlisll
beauty, but there was vacancy about
it that induced the assertion Of the
countrywide that Jamie was mot all
right" Although there were others
who shrcwdly declared lie was great
deal wiser than he appeared or pre-
tended to be. Two years previous
ill and half starved, he had been put
off an empty coal car ut the depot
Gwynne Hilliarl-called Whereabouts
''thc SQUIRE" and the wealthiest young
landowner In that part of the country
had been moved to compassion by
the lads appearance. He had taken
him home and from that day to this
Jamie. treated with all consideration
and affection, had lived with him.
Many approving glanccs followed
Gwynne billiard that evening, when
he walked up the crowded hall. where
the great local ball of the year was in
progress. But he sought only one dark
face of subtle and oriental beauty.
MIR. Hiliiarl," said Il sweet voice.
lie started, looked down on the slen-
der. childish figure before him. She
was all in soft. misty white. Her
small, irregular featured face was lu.
minous with the pleasure Of the hour.
Her hair glistcned goldcnly in the
bright light. She carried Il sheaf OF
hyacinths.
"'rhank you SO much for the flow
ers." she said. mo one ever sent {:
bouquet before, SO l am proud as well
as pleased"
He mllrmurcd Il few conversational
words. She passed on with hcr part
nor. Hc stood still Il few minutes,
feeling dazed and bewilicrcd. Then
Henrietta Madelle was smiling ut him
acrtss the room, and he made his way
to her. But, somehow, she failed that
night to exercise her usual fascination
over linn. He was tritlc startled to
l'ncOllcrt that she must be fifteen years
older than her step-sister. He found
himself watching through the dancers
for II glimpse OF slim. airy form, in
Il soft, little white dress.
ut was SO good of You to send Jessie
the flowers" declared Miss Madelle.
Il assllr" you," with IN arch smile, for
Il moment felt almost jchlous!'
+ He smiled, hut did not speak.
The next morning he went down in
the wood in search Of Jamie. IIe found
the boy in his favOrite nook, under q
Spreading maple.
Well" he began, ''you made fine
mistake yesterday, jamie"
The lad looked up quickly.
"a mistake. STRIP
Eyes. told YOU to present those
flowers to the pretty Miss Madelle.
You gave them to her sister,"
Il gave them to the pretty Miss Ma
dellc," insisted Jamie, sturdily.
You gave them to Miss JESSIE"
"Of course. You didn't mean to give
them to the other?"
Gwynne laughed out at Jamic's In
dlgnant query.
II did. indeed"
The boy was sorrowfully silent for q
while. Then he spoke:
IL wish it was Miss Jessie. can't
help thinking Of how, n few days after
l got here, was walking along the
road when the dark one came driving
along in her pony carriage. Look Out!'
cried Miss Jessie, who was with her,
you will drive over the bOyv
".Lct him look OUT answered tho
other. What if there were one bcggar
the lcss?'"
billiard knit his heavy brows in Il
troubled frown. He had very lofty
IDEAS Of women, of their commission
and courtesy. Could this be true?
"SnOn after" went OH Jamie, II met
her in the town. She apologizcd very
swcctly. saying she had not known 1
was 81 protcgc of yours
"Ah." commented Gwynne Hilliard
Sravcly. and went away. That evening
he called mt Rocihavcn.
Henrietta was most smiling and gra-
ciOuS. sHe asked for Jessie.
1--WE sent her up to the CITY this
morning" was the reply. ITO be con-
fitlcntial, We are anxious to break I'm
the affair between her and that wild
young Murray. You must have noticed
how OutragiOusly she flirted with him
last evening""
NO." said Gwynnc, somewhat short
~, II cannot say that I noticed any,
thing Of the sort. 1 shall be in the city
in q few days. Can you give me her
ltllrcSS!"
"Oh. don't" in hesitating confusion,
don't ask it-please!'
She paused in apparent pcrplcxity.
why nOt:" he demanded, bluntly.
Il am afraid she might act rudely.
She Is ST. yOun: and uniformed, she
expresses her prcjudices openly. And
She has always had an unaccountable
aversion -"
She broke off entreatingly.
ITO me:' he questioned, steadily.
"Oh, it is absurd, of coursew she
prcvaricated.
Gwynnc billiard went up to the city.
lie searched assiduously among the
mutual friends of the Madelles and
himself. but could learn nothing of Jes.
sizes whereabouts.
And Oh the very day lie walked down
to the depot, to take the train for
home, wondering if he were not IL fool
! for his pains, fate interfered in his be-
half in the most abrupt and delightful
manner imaginable.
Three plainly-drcssal shop-girls passed
him OH their way to lunch. One-a
slim little fair-haired creature, he In
stantly recognized.
Miss Jessie" he exclaimed, lifting
his hat.
She stopped, coloring and smiling.
Tie others walked on.
Il have been hoping to meet you
among our friends" Gwynne said, "but
none knew Of your whereabouts"
1--WE been staying with my old nurse,
Diane and NOrlinr In n ,niIinorv Stnuo