The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-10-05
katherine B1o|Qnt hove.
BY The Duchess.

two most intimate friends, On account
a her 1airy.like prpportions-'sTita, DO
not place too much dependence upon
riches; they win fail you in the end
my dearest believe me, they will
whereas love that never dies. and q
bare sufdciency, will carry you
through all dimculties."
"As, for tngtAnce" she asked half
mockingly. But whatever his sentl-
1ents on tho subject Of that much dis
cissed topic, "a sufficiency," might be,
she was never doomed to hear them.
az at this juncture the door was once
more opened slowly to admit Archl-
bald Blount. He advanced In his u.s.
uni well-bred manner until he had
reached tho table. whereupon he de-
posted piece Of crumpled paper.
II have changed my mind Rather
inc." he said. Here IL ten-pound note
for you; SO you can 10 to this much
coveted ball, II you wish"
"Oh, papa," exclaimed Miss Blount,
rcgretting bitterly now all the hasty
words and thoughts she Ind been In
dulging in, forgive me! do not de-
serve your kindness. I know, after
what 1 said to you a few minutes ago;
but, believe me, I am very grateful
to YOU" Yet still she did not move
forward to kiss him. US perhaps a
more beloved daughter would have
done.
do not distress yourself. my DEAR"
her father replied, with the faintest re-
Election of sarcasm in his voice. II nm
SO well accustomed to your numerous
little tender speeches that they ceased
to embarrass me long ere this" and SO
saying he went out, closing the door
carefully behind him.
II have wronged him." Miss Blount
said, with extreme conjunction, when
she WINS again alone with her cousin.
II have wronged him greatly both In
word and thought; but that IL Just
like me. Is 1t not-so ready to judge, so
quick to condemn. and never hesitate
ing q moment to think before speak?
All. II could only change my nature
In some things, do believe III the end
1 might learn to be fappy!"'
And are you not happy now, Tita?'
Blackwood asked, gazing down with
Ill spcakable tenderness upon the dis
consolate little person beside him.
who. with folded hands and moistened
eyes, looked blankly out of the win.
dow; and us she sp1 Ike he took her
chin between his hands, so turning her
face toward him.
Not rs happy as I might be-" she
answered, glancing back into the face
above her own-as brave. kindly and
true face rs woman need care to see
mot rs happy us NEST OF the girls 1
know. Do you know ut times am
even miserably disconnected with NV
lot. But thereit is my portion In this
life to have trouble. I suppose, so I
dare say by and by shall get used to
it,"
katherine" said Blackwood, wistful-
", my darling. I cannot bear to hear
yoM talk like this. 1 wish to heaven I
had 1t In my power now to shield you
from every grief and pain; but Mt pres
ent what can do? Perhaps afterwarl
in tlme-if you will wait a little"-
Hush" Miss Blount Interrupted
him quickly. eagerly. laying her hand
With unconscious vcllemence upon his
arm, whit n spasm Of intense pain shot
across her face. flush, Blackwool-
you must not speak to me like that! I
will not have 1t. You are my cousin
my brother-the dearest girl could
have, but nothing more-neyer any
thing more"
The expression Of Blackwood,s eyes
changed.
DO not pretend to make any mis-
take he said, almost sternly, unloOs-
ing her fingers from his arm and hold.
ing them firmly between his own.
You know rs well Us 1 do that, for
everything the world contains, 1 would
not be your brother. You know also
that I will be to you all or nothing"
1T must be nothing, then" the Girl
answered very sadly, though firmly.
but not daring this time to raise her
eyes to his; after which she walked
away slowly toward the door without
another word. Arrived there. however.
she Observation-Disclosures the
handle in her hand, to see II he would
not make some answer to her Inst cru
el speech; but she waited in vain,
BlackwOod made no reply: md
glancing involuntarlly toward the
window. where the autumn sun was
cleaning brightly upon the upright fig
ure, she could see that the dark hand
some, loyal face was white to the very
lips.
Lakewood Craven was Miss Blount's
first cousin. US far as relationship went
but In reality lie had ever been far
more to her than that term generally
signifies; In her babyhooi he had been
her companion, In her sirlhood u BROTH
er, and ever since she had reached the
age Of seventeen-now three years
since-her steady and constant lover.
His father had died when the boy
was still in his infancy, and the mother,
dying some few years later. had con-
fded the child on her deatll-l,ed to her
orly brother, Archibald Blount, togeth-
err with few hundred pou ads, and I'm
earnest prayer that he would do the
best he could for the little one. This
prayer Mr.. BlOunt attended to as care
fully as it was in his tndolent, selfish
nature to attend to anything
uncol nected with his own personal in
terests. sending his nephew to school,
and from school to college, with the
money intrusted to his care. until the
lad lad finished his education, and had
come home Mt last. only to fall madly
in love with his beautiful cousin. Then
1t Is hard to say what would nave
become of the handsome. restless fell
low had not brother of his fathers
come forward and obtained for him
a commission in Line regiment-a
profession very much suited to the
young rams tastes and inclinations.
This same relative, dying soon after,
left his nephew two hundred q year
whereas liz might quite as easily have
left him two thOusand-upon which,
and his pay as lieutenant, Blackwoutl
Craven found it excessively difficult 10
not ~ 1xGx. =
BILE without mourning too numerous liza
bilities.
His attachment to Katherine Blount
was the one ruling passion of his life.
She was part Of his existence. He
worshipped the girl with blind idola-
, try, pouring out on her a generous
| wealth Of love of which she was scarce.
ly worthy. In his eyes, however, she
| was perfection, no flaw ever appearing
| to his stricken sight powerful enough
TO dim the faultlessness Of his idol,
while he ever dreamed fondly, unce:,s-
ingly, of the time when this woman,
who was to him very goddess, should
be his wife.
His poverty was nm :nsYrmountable
barrier In the pres mt, 1t was true. but
in time, II she would only consent t
wait llttle-and something whispered
to MIN that he was surely moe 20 her
than ali the other men who throngetl
around her and .basked In her sweet
smiles-he would conquer fortune
bravcly, and claim her honorably for
Ills cwn. So he arg,Hd; and not oil