The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-05-25

changed manners ut is enough that
claim Il free passage hence; and IL
such be refused me, that shall force
it!'
"Psl.aww exclaimed Warrington, re-
covering his self-posscssion. What can
your weak wonlan's fingers do against
thcse?' And as he thus delivered HIM
self he held aloft his own two muscu-
lar hands, and shook them in the air.
You know the consequences which
await your opposition to my will; there
fore, you will do well to depart with
me at once before the domcstics are
astir, and by the door of the southern
wing, through which door you effected
your entrance, and mine! Gomez"
II will not stir, save Mt my own will
and pleasure, and then will direct my
step withersoever 1 please! 1 do not
fear you-you have done yoir worst!"
You forget! have not yet informed
against Sir Basil Dovetree! have
not vet published the fact Of his being
the destroyer of Roger Baldrick, your
somewhile lover. whom you, an tickle
us you were"
"Peace-peacc! in mercy's name!
Gertrude cried, her whole frame shud-
dering with terror. ''rhere!" she add
Cus NAloNiuS uOWu lhC NlukSs SphG
him and will be your slave forever"
pom, and put it away. Then he uttered
the word "Come!" and quitting the
room, led the way down the private
staircase, Gertrude mechanically follow
ing him, inwartlly resolving that the
arms Of death should encircle licr rath-
@: than those of the detestable creole.
He conducted her across the ncishbor-
ing plantation. BY so doing quickly
reaching the highway, where lie had
Il man and couple of horses awaiting
him.
mount" lie said, at the same time
lifting Gertrude into her saddle. You
can find home on foot, Denpster," lie
continued. addressing the man, who
nodded asscntingly; then, touching his
companions horse with his whip, War
rinston started off With her by his side.
They proceeded ut u brisk gallop.
Gcrtrude's hood had slipped off, and
her unbound hair was floating in the
chill morning breeze. Her face had
grown haggard, and her eyes shone
with q strange unnatural lust-c, which
gave to her whole counter lnce q cer-
tain wild expression, such US it had
never worn till now.
She did not ask him whittier they
were journeying-she did not ask him
IL single question; she was too heavy
hearted to utter Il syllable; besides
which, her thoughts were full of him
who had received her-full of guilty
Sir Basil Dovetrce.
Suddenly Gertrude's horse halted,
and refused to move a step further,
kicking and plunging every time the
creole struck him with the whip.
He has something in his foot" War
rington observed. ut will be almost
useless to urge beast in such a coll
dition: nevertheless, he must be made
to walk along. shall be able to man.
age him better than you will; so alight,
and will remove your saddle to my
horse, and mine to yours"
This being done, Gertrude mounted
her companions steed, he hers; and
once more they proceeded along, very
slowly this time, the lame animal stout
~ refusing to move more than q step
at time
Warrington chafed considerably at
this unavoidable delay; but all his chat
ing awaited him nothing-it only rem
dered bad matters worse.
Turning the corner Of a road, they
Ctlllc 6tluuCuuy ia SlSslL Va u lOuc uOI 6Se
man, galloping at full speed, every mo
ment bringing him nearer and nearer
to themselves.
Warrington, busy with his limping
stccd, took no heed of the advancing
horseman; but Gertrude, attracted by
something familiar in his bearing, Kept
her gaze fixed upon him.
Presently Warrington looked up. and
uttered an exclamation of surprise. Sir
Basil DOvetree, pale with rage, con-
fronted him.
"Aliscrcant" cried the young baronet,
drawing forth Il pistol and presenting
it at the creole. lat length / have
overtaken you, madam" he continued,
satirically addressing Gertrude, with
out Withdrawing his eyes from War
rinston. II am sorry to interrupt YOU
OH your journey; but have i'm account
to settle with your amiablc companion
here, whom cannot suffer to go hence
until he has received his due in full.
You shall both die-for you have, both
of you. deceived and wronged met
And with these words. Sir Basil fired;
but his arm was suddenly thrown up,
and his bullet only penetrated the bark
of Il tree hard by.
Gertrude was on his breast. Fly,
Basil!" she criel-"let us fly together!
This man'-pointing to Warrington
lis striving to destroy us both! He has
threatened to-Oh, heaven! 1 dare
not repeat what hG has threatened to
do. But heed him not; will cling to
YOU through everything. Let us fly,
Basil-lct us fly from him for ever!"
"Begone" returned lie, tllrustins her
from him, and looking ut her dis,lain-
fully. II have nothing to say to one
so cunning and false rs you; 1t is with
Jour companion that 1 must parley."
"But he is your enemy, Basil"
| II know as much"
During the above words, Warning
ton was sitting on his horse, apparently
quite calm. His swarthy visage be-
, his heart, from fear. had considerably
/ quickened its pulsations.
Now speak, thou poltroon-thou
Judas, thou fiend in mortal sllapc!'
furiously said Sir Basil Dovctree, APP
| preaching close TO the creole, who still
sat erect in his saddle, prepared for all
the baronet had to say.
Il have my sw0rd-you have yours,
| Pelham Warrington, and tho road is
an unfrequented one: our weapons shall
settle this matter between lis"
Jhe.creole alighted.
II give you warning that l shall dis
arm you ut once" he said, with the
utmost GOODNESS. you have neither
muscle nor skill to oppose against mine.
You have never before fought for your
life; have, and have saved 1t over and
over again; for my wrist is wrist of
iron strength. insensible to fatigue,
which, even though 1t had to WELD
giants axe for hours and hoErs, would
not give way Il single second"
Gertrude shuddered at the creOle's
words. She was fearing the issue of
the projected combat.
Sir Basil had already alighted, 80.
also. had Warrington; and both were
preparing themselves for the fight.
behind clulnp of trees, which on
tirely concealed them from the high