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


should think" was his ,;omewha,
COARSE rcioinder.
For some moments Gertrude stood
mOtionless and mute. like one utterly
deprived ut sense and motion; and thu
creole all the while looking OH. wholly
unmovcd. except by wicked feelings.
You have not yet answered met
She gaspcd. Il asked you what YOU
meant!"
What should mean, more or less
than have Said:"
THAT I am not the wife of Sir Basil
Dovetrccy'
Precisely"
Great h"avpnw she exclaimed, clasp
Ing her throbbing temples; you will
tell me next that have neither eyes
nor ears. nor re:lSon-that saw moi
the priest, nor heard the holy words
which made me Sir Basil Dovctrees
for richer or for poorer. until death dc
us part? You will tell me all this,
suppose?"
Not exactly. madam; yet will tell
you startling facts-facts which l cal
prOvew
''GO onv'
Before make my disclosures,
must be promised payment Tor tl.cm.' ,
Whit price do you demand fol
them!'
"YOur hand"
''Minc!"
"ln lawful wcdlock; the ceremony
this time. To l,e celebrated in Il church
and 10y Il man in holy orders"
us it possible that have been dc
reivel by mock n.arriagry' she brok,
forth, with Il loud cry Of pain. "Oh
Ito not tell me so. Have some pity on
me. else my brain will surely BURST"
II cannot lie to you. You have thu
truth from my lips"
Il have. then. been Knocked Mt, and
have no legal right unto the name OF
Dovetree?"
Pelham Warrington bowed his head
assentingly.
And YOU connived Mt the wicked
cheat! You helped Sir Basil to destroy
me thus!"
II acted according to his Wishes
returned Warrington. not a whit
nbaslletl to own the fact. II was in
different to your beauty then; had il
been otherwise with me, should have
protected you against the infamous de
ceptfOn-snatcllcd you from out of Sit
Basirs power, even ut the risk Of my
life itself. But I have been his tool
the tool Of Il wretch who bought 70,
Mt fearful pricc-the price Of his yer,
BOul!'
You bewilder me-affright mel" Ger
trllde said, wringing her hands in ter
ror. "Oh, Father Of the orphan, sus
tain and direct me In this bitter ant
appalling hour! Leave me, Mr.. War
rington," she added. after a sllor
pause. Il will seek Sir Basil, and dc
maud full explanation at his hands.
You may do SO, IL you think fit
madam; though If you knew all. yo,
would never exchange words with hin
more-y0u would sllun him as Il leper-
you would put miles and miles 'twix
yourself and Sir Basil Dovetreew
"Merciful heaven! your words ar,
full Of terror; my heart chills us lister
to them! Leave me-leave me, l be
seech your
Pardon me IL I disobey your wish
es." the creole returned. very blandly
Il have prepared your lpind to rcceiv,
the entire and painful truth, and yol
shall hear it"
mo, no" she cried, her senses almos
distraught. From Sir Basirs owl
lips alone will accept Il confession o
the injuries he has done me!
| His lips" echoed the creole "Pshaw
Do you think he will tell you that Ii
was the murderer Of Roger Baldrick {!
Scarcely had Pelham Warrington pro
nounccd those frightful words. whcl
Il slrill, piercing shrek rang through
the room, and hapless Gertrude drOppc,
senseless upon the floor.
The creole regarded the lifcless form
without bctraying the slightest feeling
1ie was standing musingly; u darl
thought, one Of the basest that had eve
suggested itself within IL vile heart
was now impellins him to furthe
wrong poor, innocent Gertrude.
He strobe to the door, opened II
and looked down the din.ly lighted gal
lery. Not Il soul was in sight, and no
q sound could he hear in this scclude
wing Of the great building.
Muttering something unintclligibl,
he regained the side of the prostrat
Gertrude, and raising her, lie cal
ried her out Of the room, alon
the corridor, never parsing Ill
til he reached his own chamber
entering which, this arch-tlclnon place
his victim In Il chair, and then sougll
to restore her to her Senses
I'm my power, in my power" he n
pcated within himself, over and owe
! again. Il have my revenge i'll full, el
Sir Basil Dovetrce! You have M
10000, and have your beautiful Gel
trude Gilruth! Well, exchange is II
robbery, they say" saying which, Pc
ham Warrington laughed triumphantly
chatting Gcrtrude's hands ut the sam
time.
She was long before she again opcnc
her eyes to the light; when she did s
she looked around in blank conf,siO
and terror, demanding where she w:ls
And he told her, with inso!cnce in al
looks and tones.
Gertrude listened to him with blancl
cd features, thinking she was in som
hideous dream; but the touch Of hi
hand, from which she sllrunk as frol
the touch Of some venOmous snake, Il.
sured her that she was In her wakin
senses; and with that assurance cam
back tho memory Of what he had toll
her.
Sir Basil. the murderer of Roge
Ballrick! oh. horrible! horrible! An
Gertrude shudderingly hid her face /
her clasped hands and mOaned alOu(
"For what purpose did you bring M
here?" she inquired. suddenly springin
to her feet and rushing towards til
door Of the apartment, in order to qui
1t Mt once.
"Stop" said the creole, quickly intcl
cepting her progress. Don't troubl
| yourself-tle door il lOckedw
Locked! Great heaven, and this |
your chamber!"
"Ycs, spacious room enough, US 70
perceive. its window commanding
lovely prospect"
Let me go forth, for mercy's sake!
she ilnplored in wild accents.
Listen to me, Gertrude Gilrutll-
listen to me calmly, IL you can do 81
You are In my power entirely In m
powcr!'
II feel am so," she breathed, elll,
ering, and leaning against char fo
support. "Speak On!'
"YOu are u free woman"
Her head bowed itself ON her brcas
and stitled cry Of bitter anguish burs
from lfFr white linn