The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-06-28
secret.

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money % hsr mothers family, when
there 10 PROOF that she; 10 really dead,
hut Il people talk such stun to my
fathersM :you did this afternoon II d
not likely that anything reasonable
Will convince him, = replied Grace, -.
verely. III. e Is,
II don't know Why you should call Il
stun" returned Miriam, QuietlyS
''people don't disappear 40 your sister
did unless they go away to return
at some time or other, or unless they
are murdered. Therefore, until It IL
proved that she ID dead, we may rea-
sonably hope she 10 alive"
Grace shrugged her shoulders.
She would not discuss the matter,
but intimnted that It was time they
should begin to dress, and her maid
came forward to attend her while tho
girls all went OF to their own rooms.
"How very horrid Miriam IL In her
manner to QfatHT' remarked Lizzie
GONlburne to her sister, as they were
dressing. without the help Of any
maid; ''she seems to do all she can to
vcx her" go ~
EYES," replied Amy; 'but I don't
wonder Mt NIL; I nm only surprised at
her being here at all"
II wonder she cared to come to the
wedding Of the man she was engaged
to herself, and am not surprised at
her constant reference t. poor Kate
I4ilburne, for Kate and she were
bosom friends. and you must admit
that the way In which Grace tries to
assume that Kate Is dead L. Irritating
to those who hope, II they do not be-
lieve, otherwise"
eyes. perhaps you are right; and
don't think It would take much to win
Sir Victor back to hia old love-"
$50 little that would not risk a pair
of new gloves on the chanc, Of our
wearing those costly gowns to.mor-
row."
And she pointed to the two brides
maids costumes that lay on the
shelves Of the open wardrobe.
1--WE shall keep them in any case"
laughed Lizzie; land they will serve
us for evening dresses for the rest OF
the winter. After all, loOkers-on see
most Of the fun"
"They see It hut they don't take
part In It." sighed her sister; stand
girls like you and me seem to have no
chance Of ever being anything but
lockers on"
ooh! our turn will come" was the
hopeful rejoinder. "And there goes the
second gong; do make haste, or we
| shall be late, and that will be dread
full"
II don't see anything dreadful about
It; hut I am nearly ready"
They hurried so much after this
that when they entered the drawing
room they found the room quito
Other people soon trocrcd In. how
ever. and very soon the Goulburle
girls found themselves sufficiently
sought after, despite their plain attire.
The rivals of the evening, however
We're the bride-elect and her chief
bridesmaid. n,,iam Hindman.
Grace VIVA lrcsss.l In l.lle blue. rx-
qiilsitelv trimmed with cream lace
and blush-roses, while her golden hair,
her gold Ornamental, and her bright
blue eyes made tcr lcCk l,cwitching In
the extreme.
But her beauty WINS quite eclipsed
when Miriam appcrl ed.
The brunette wore rose-colored
satin. half covered with costly black
lace Topped with lilies-of-t tt CIV alley,
while pearls and diamonds were
clasped round her throat, and lilies
and diamonds shone In her Jet black
hair.
Independent Of ornament, Miriam
was wonderfully beautiful, but rich
colOrs and sparkling gems added very
much to her natural charms, and she
used laughlilgly to say thnt she was
thankful she had been born too late
to be expected to wear white muslin
gowns, short in the waist and tied
round within sash, until the time when
she should be married.
ut was almost enough to drive a
girl to marry the first man who asked
her, IL only to obtain the privilege of
wearing silk and SATIN" she would
say laughingly. Happily in our days
we can wear whit we like without
caring for the opinion Of the male seq
or for that OF Mrs. .Grundy"
She seemed ito care for the good
opinion Of one member Of the male
sex this eyenlae. however, and he for
hers: and though his marriage with
his hosts daughter was fixed for the
following morning, Sir Victor seemed
to be unable to resist the attraction of
lfiriam's black eyes.
Grace watched the couple jealousy
/ Wu0nCNCA ouC SAOuSuS u luGluS Uul
something more important than the
temporary detection Of her lover filled
her thoughts. She was planning how
to get away from her guests unobserv-
ed and stay long enough to be able to
ascertain what lay at the bottom of
the dark shaft into which she had
thrust her sister.
II shall have no opportunity after
tonight" she thought gloomily, '.for
tomorrow I shall have people about
me the whole time until 60 to
church, and after that shall 60 away
with Victor.
Eyes, It must be tonight. When the
conjurors engaged come into the hall
to play their tricks shall slip away.
shall be less missed then than at
any time"
She smiled as she came to this con-
cluslon, and turned to answer q ques-
ton which gentleman at her side
had asked.
/