The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-09-13

by the time ROsamOnd had Invested
herself of her bonnet and cloak, Luke
AberSllaw had returned, and she
sought him in the library.
II am so glad you have returned,
MISS" and lie bowed respectfully.
Your presence is needed"
"Thcn Mr.. Mcdlicott is really ill?'
ooh. no. no; it is not OH that ac-
count; but the house is so lonely and
dull to him that he spends too many
hours in work. hope your presence
will give him little distraction; you
can play and talk to him-that il
really the reason wrote to you"
ut was very kind and considerate of
you to do SO, answered ROsamOnd,
warmly, ".and thank you very
much"
II have only done my duty" he
said, shifting his eyes from her bright
straightforward glance. MIR. Medli-
colt has been so good to mel have
never met so good a friend before
that ought to study his comfort and
happiness in everything"
GLOW cruelty unjust everybody il
to this poor young man, only because
lie has not Il pleasant aspcct!" was
KosamOnd's thought at that moment,
and she resolved hencefOrth to be his
friend and champion.
''IIns MIR. McdlicOtt seen a doctor!"
she inquired.
"Oll, yes," he answered. rather Gag
erly." sent for his medical adviser
yesterday unknown to him, and in
Cured his displeasure for so doing"
"And what did Mr. Grant say?"
"The same as l have said-tfat it
was nothing but overwork, and that
he required rest and relaxation. 1t
was upon that report l wrote off to
you"
my influence is not very great over
him, but l will do what can," IN
swcred the young girl,
turned.
He looked very much surprised ct
seeing his adopted daughter in the
hall. waiting to receive him.
You did not expect me-" she said.
"No," he answered, "but am glad
you have returned"
There was no affection and there
was not much feeling in the tone in
Which these words were uttered, but
ROSE nond was pleased to hear them.
AS they stood in the hall the light
fell full upon his face, and she saw
at Il glance how much he had altered
since she had been away. He looked
worn. and llaggard, and pale.
He walked into the dining room aud
dropped languidly into chair.
This was SO unlike him that she
could not help remarking upon 1t.
you are not well?" she said.
"Oh. yes, l am very WE'LL" he an
swered, irritably, and Immediately
Strengthening himself. "The weather
Is oppressive, and perhaps have been
working little too hard lately. A
man can't be a little out of order with
out being i'll and having doctors sent
for"
Like most men who have enjoyed
good health all their lives, Mr.. Medli-
colt was evidently annoyed that any
body should suppose he did not enjoy
perfect immunity from all the ills that
flesh is heir to.
Rosamond said no more, resolving
not again to touch upon that weak
point.
After dinner he seemed better, and
the color once more mounted to his
face, owing, perhaps. to the fact that
he took an extra glass of wine; for
Mr.. MedlicOtt was a man who lived by
rule and regimen in all things, espe-
cially in eating and drinking.
He did not 20 into the library that
night. but after they had retired to the
drawing room requested Rosamond to
play to him some of the favOrite music
of his late wife.
She had never remembered to have
seen him In SO soft and gentle q mood
before
Not since llcr dear benefactress'
dealt, had she passed SO pleasant an
evening with him.
The secretary dincd with them. and
Mr.. MedlicOtt would not hear Of his
going back to work.
NO." he said, I'VE will both take q
holiday tonight, We both need It,"
So Luke Abershaw adjourned with
them to the drawing room, and, In his
humble and deferential manner. ex-
pressed the pleasure he felt at Rosa
mom's singing and playing.
She seemed to greatly interest him:
seated in the background, lie kept his
eyes intently fixed upon her: yet, from
the expression of his cOuntenance, IL
would have been difficult to analyzc
his thoughts.
Mr.. Mcdiicott could not help remark
ing this fixed attention, and 1t recalled
the idea that had once before tloated
across his mind. to try and make a
match between the secretary and his
adopted daughter.
Befors retiring to rest Rosamond
wrote Il long lettey to Mrs Gardiner.
relating her reception by Mr.. Medli-
colt and all that had passed.
| 1T is Il long time since he has been
SO kind to me-" she said; II am SO
glad have returned: lie looks pale
and worn; the house is dull, and / am
sure lie felt much better last night for
/! the little change was able to afford
MIN"
Within q few days after Rosamond's
arrival Mr.. sIedlicOtt appear ed to have
recovered his usual health.
The doctor said 1t was through his
prescription. the secretary said it was
| tros4 the brightness that the young
iady's presence had brought into the
gloomy house., the convalescent him
self protested that there had never
been anything the matter with him be-
! yop1 the effects of the weather.
Put mig recovery was only transient.
One morning when Mr.. Medlic0tt
came down 10 breakfast. he looked
feyerisi; there was a hecsie flush upon
his cheek and a stlHnge brightness in
his eyes that quite alarmed Rosa n.ond.
As usual, lie protested there was
nothing the matter; but after vain
effort t0'eat his breakfast. lie hud to
push away the knife and fork and COLI
fess himself conquered.
Sii'l, but for both Lake and Rosa
| lpol.s.'S; persuasion lie would nave gone
10 t,,,.,iin IS as usual.
Towaru evening the feverisll synp-
toms abated, hut he could not shake
off feeling Of iassitude and debility.
lie went to the office tile leXt morn
ing, but when he returned he looked
terribly Ill aud worn, and. after much
persuasion he permjtted Dr. Grant TO
he sent for.
Nothing much the matter, doctor"
he said. loosely. ITS the fall Of the
| YQ0r mr. tho atnu,l ri, ont NJ Orlor ON n,