The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-04-06

'TN y H..
SIS not Roger Ballrick with you, Sir
Basil:" she asked, after mutual greet
ings and compliments had been OK
changed.
No" he answered, falteringly, his
face avertetl while he spoke.
''Thcre has been q messenger here,
inquiting for him." continued she.
"R0ger has not been home all night,
and his mother, Mrs. Baldrick, is great
~ alarmed ut his absence"
Not been home all night, Miss Gil
ruth" the baronet repeated in seeming
surprise. THAT Is strange. He left
Ravcnsmarsh before midnight"
Gertrude changed color.
Left Ravensmarsh before midnight
she echoed. what can hive become OF
lim?'
NO accident has happened to him,
hope" pursued the baronet, in a
more confident manner than Mt first.
"There was a full moon last night
Warrington and were quite envy
Ing his walk home"
Il sent the messenger on to Ravens.
marsh. thinking he might probably hear
something of Roger there" said Ger.
trude. His absence Is very mysterious
Sir Basil, is it not:'
Most mysterious. indeed" he replied
Il am beginning to feel quite uneasy
about him."
My grandfather made sure that Rog-
cr had stayed ut Ravensnarsh," She
continued. Roger is very tloughtless
over many Matters she added, by
way Of explanation. but he is sail
or, and that fact excuses many Of his
careless acts"
Gertrude had spoken the above cold
~ enough, and with some embarrass.
mcnt as we'll; but Sir Basil had not
remarked either the coldncss of her
speech or the trepidution Of her man.
ner-his thoughts were ut the bottom
Of the lake, where the dead body of
the young sailor was lying.
where does Mrs. Baldrick live, Miss
Gilruth:" Warrington .sked, seeing his
companion's face CULVER AMI grow pale,
and wishing to divert Gcrtridc's atten.
ton from Sir Basil's evident perturba-
ton.
| "Sle lives ut Pearl Brook, a distance
of three miles hence, in u cottage stand
Ing by the roadside, with a green porch
over the door,"
| Il do not know the place, Miss Gil
ruth, being Il stranger in these parts;
but, dare say, could manage to
fiGd 1t out" returned Warrington.
what say you, Sir Basil-shall we ride
Off to Pearl Brook, find Mrs. Baldrick's
house, and there make some inquiries
about her missing son.
"Oh. he's safe at home by this timc.'
the barOnct answered, in a hollow
voice. Good morning, Miss Gilrutl,"
he continued, In some confusion. and
presenting his hand. II trust, when
call here again, to have the pleasure of
seeing your grandfather"
Il sincerely trust you will, Sir Ba-
Sill" she returned, suffering him to re-
tain her fingers between his palms.
He looked ut her for Il few seconds.
His gaze seemed to fascinate her, while
her cheeks burned, and her heart quick
ened its pulsations.
She's caught Basil! The girl Is head
over ears in love with you! Warning
ton exclaimed, rs they rode away from
Parson Gilruth's garden gate.
The young baronet looked round, with
flushing cheeks, and his companion
went on.
did you not mark her bushes, Basil,
and her timid, downcAst look? Oh,
noted all!'
Sir Basil and his companion gallop.
ped onward until they reached Pearl.
brook, and stopped in front Of the gate
of widow Baldrick's garden.
Seeing two hOrsemenn pause before
| hOr door tho 10dv, fnNvy IN ~ kf1irn1r
ing they were probably bringing her
some tidings of her truant son, about
whom she was enduring all q fond
mothers anxieties and alarm.
'And Roger really quilted Raven.
marsh before midnight, Sir BASIL" con.
tinued Mrs. Baldrick. after he had in.
formed her to that effect. Dear, dear!
Where can he be? What can possibly
have happened him?" she went on,
clasping and unclasping pair of thin,
trembling hands In visible agitation.
ut is very mysterious. madam" he
turned the young barOnet, trying Ia
keep himself calm.
II have made every inquiry around
PearlbrOok, but NIL in vain; since last
night, Roger has not been seen by any
one" the widow added.
"Oh, cheer up, my dear madam
put in Warrington; "your son cannot
have been spirited away: you will sure
ly see him ere long"
''Well. yes; I suppose shall, sir,
she replied, in relieved tone. II am
I daresay. foolishly tormenting myself
but mother is apt to be anxious about
her child-and Roger is my only one
you know"
Sir Basil's heart bounded with q
painful throb, and his face bleached
white as any linen sheet.
"Oh, well, you will see him soon,
have no doubt" he said, In great dis
order. Good morning. madam"
Good morning, Sir BASIL" curtseyed
the widow.
And the two gentlemen rode away,
one Of them being sore Of mind-al.
most distracted.
Great heavens, Warrington" cried
Sir Basil, as soon as they were out of
hearing; II would rather this moment
be shot like dog, than have to face
yondep woman again. Her words were
like so many stabs piercing my breast
through and through. I think, Pelham,
l shall go mad" he added, taking of
his hat and swinging 1t high in the air.
MY brain feels bursting-fairiy burst
ing!
1.-THE worst is past now, the great OF.
deal Is over; and, taking everything in.
to consideration you have gone through
the matter with much eclat." Warning.
ton approvingly said. paying no atten.
ton to the others frenzied words.
You have nothing to think of now
save your beautiful enamorata. Cad!
am beginning to envy you, Basil; ]
am, upon my honor!"
Sir Basils f,lce grew somewhat calm
or In expression. his heart relaxed its
violent pulsations, and he pursued the
rest of the journey home In utter 81
lence, which silence Warrington die
not attempt to disturb.
All that day the master of Raven
marsh was kept in a state of painful
commOtion, for every succeeding h0ul
brought fresh messenger to inquire
after the missing Roger Baldrick: anf
finally the cOnstables Of the parish
came to learn all the particulars they
could regarding the lieutenant's mos
mysterious disappearance.
shrewd, were easily deceived by tn
baronets false representations.
Il "The truth IT," Sir Basil said, will
wonderful self-possession, "the lieutep
ant had been drinking wine rather free
~. ], seeing his state, proposed send
ing him home In the carriage, accom-
panied by man.servant; but h,
would not hear Of such a thing. and in
sisted on returning alone. 1 must con
| TESS, much against nv will: but he wa