The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-10-19
Katherine BloQnt'S love.
BY The Dutchess.

Il think perhaps Miss Blount' will
Ike best" she answered, with extreme
hnteur. born either of her r,lffied TEN.
per or Of the new-found satln train
that rustled majestlcally behind her.
After this agreeable finish to their
conversation the remainder Of the walk
was decidedly the reverse Of pleasant,
being passed In utter silence, and Y
was not until they were safely seated
Mt the tea-table that Katherine once
more recovered her usual spirits. Hav-
Ing succeeded in making Sir Mark quite
as miserable aS man could well be,
she changed her tactics most unexpect-
edly, and raised him in a short time to
far higher realm Of bliss than he
had ever dreamt of, so TINT when tea
was finished, and they all broke up to
go their different ways. Warrenne fol-
lowed Miss Rlount through the pretty
comfortable drawing-room into nn a(l-
Joining old-wOrld apartment-empty,
waxed and wainscotetl-until they
found themselves alone In the EN-
hrlsllre OF a large oak-panelled window
that opened easement fashion. and
through which the white gllmmering
moon slone down upon their faces.
The hour and situation were ..scnti.
mental" to say the least of It, anu
Katherine. leaning against the shutter,
with soft. silver m0Onbcans lighting
up her black dress and fair loneliness,
looked almost unearthly in her ex-
treme beauty.
Katherine said Sir Mark, in low
imlmsslOncd voice and withou. Il word
OF preface. II love you." "Will you
marry me?"
Miss BlOunt. not dreaming that for
the next few months Mt least he would
come to the last scene in his drama.
was astOnished. She raised her eycs
and gazcd with mute bcwiLlermcnt
upon her latest lover. but answer she
found none.
Darling" Warrenne went OH. DOS.
sessiIg himself Of both her hands, and
speaking quickly. vehcmently, 1T IL
soon. know, to tell you this; hut
love you. aud waiting years could not
increase my love. l hold you to my
heart as never yet held any woman
for place my whole future lappi-
ntss humbly ut your feet Will you
not speak to me. katherine, ana hold
out to ME some hope?"
Miss BlOunt Withdrew her hands,
and sat down on the deep old fashioned
window seat. 1t seemed very hard to
her Just then to tell this man who
looked SO terribly in earnest that he
could never be anything more to her
than u mere friend.
II am sorry" she began. family, but
he interrupted her hurrfelly.
do not begin like that" lie implor-
Ell. DO not answer me like that Mt
all. Katherine. but takc little time to
think before you decide on telling me
what must render my entire life either
intensely happy or unspeakably bit
ter. Take until tomorrow. and prom.
ise me that you will not condemn me
hastily, but will for one night Mt least
reflect on what have SAIL"
Archibald Blount was coming slow.
ly toward them through the long room,
on which the darkness seemed to
have fallen heavily. and the girl had
only just time to whisper, II promise
yOu." when he came up to them.
what! Going 80 soon, Sir Mark?"
he exclaimed, with his pleasant, we'll
bred smile. Have l frightened you
away? Well, goodnight; YOU have n
fn- s,.e,,u .,,.-.,,-.A.r ...-ai..,, ed
the hand. while he formed In the same
moment. ut Il glance, a pretty accurate
estimate of how matters stood.
katherine" he said. when Sir Mark
was fairly gone. Twill you come into
my study before you go to he'd. and
copy out n business letter for me? l
am 40 sick of writing myself"
Il will be with you in one Instant"
Miss BlOunt answered. as lie turned to
seek his private apartment again,
whittier she followed him shortly at
terwartl, only pausing to say passing
word to BlackwOotl as she encountered
him in the hall.
Where are you OF to, Tita?" he
asked kindly. stopping the little black
rObcd figure as 1t was fitting past him.
80 copy letter for papa. And you
are going suppose to smoke Il last
cigar? We'll. in that case, will bid you
good night, now, Blackwood. ns dare
say shall not see you again."
Goodnight. my love-" he answered,
very sadly. holding her hands fast for
IL moment, as though undecided as to
whether or not ho would ask her n
question that lay very close to his heart
tonight; but after an instant's reficc-
tlon hc resolved to lc silent. and, drop
ping her hands suddenly. went on his
way with 81 quick impatient sigh.
II will be true to him." the girl mur-
INJURED with loving earnestness to her
self. rs she went into the study and
sat down to write out tho letter Archl-
bald Blount laid before her.