The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-11-22

Col. Dalrymple's tone IL harsh and
unmusical; there Is displeasure in his
whole air. There is misery too, and
even pain; but the girl, looking back
at him, sees only his dlspleasure. He
10 standing In the open window that
leads on to the balcony, and had EVIL
IDENTITY been walking up and down
there whilst the last guests were TAX
ing their departure.
"Grandpapa has done your duty for
you. I've had my scolding," says Mel
~, still looking at him over her shout
der with the odd sort Of angry con-
tempt she usually shows him." l know
1t by heart now: I've learned my les
son. Listen. I'm a shocking hostess.
I've been barbarOusly rude. Mrs. Max
well said livery deservedly} some terri
bic uncivil things about me-. I hive
no sense of decency. Nature has made
one more grand mistake; she has
picked up wretched little bourgeoise
and dung her into the middle Of the
aristocracy. He said q good deal more
that didn't hear. But that's enough,
isn't it,"
"It's on quite another matter wish
to speak to you,' says Dalrymple,
coldly.
"You wait until tomorrow, then"
says she, struggling her shoulders, and
making step or two toward the door,
"Not for an hour! Not for one min
ute! says he, with passion, coming up
to her and laying his hand upon her
arm.
"Noel!' cxclaims she, in a low tone.
She shakes his hand from her arm,
and glances at him with cleaning eyes.
For a minute they regard each other
steadily, both faces aagry, defiant,
and then he speaks.
II saw you In the conservatory with
hartford tonight. will have an ex.
PLANTATION about that" says he, his
mouth set.
For a moment he fears she Is goins
to faint. Her lips grow white, her
eyes large. Then she masters herself,
"Well?" she says, with a short, un.
certain laugh.
His heart dies within him. This IL
not the attitude freshly girl
would have taken. There Is no shrink
Ing. no pretty blush; there 10 defiance
rather. and shame In the lovely, youth.
full eyes.
II saw you" says i,s again. in a dull
sort Of way.
"And what did you see?" cries she
iercely. "You talk and talk and an
nothing"
"You know what saw"
II do not, indeed"
III you will have 1t, then" says he
Violently, II saw him kiss YOU"
Just for the moment It occurs Ia
Dalrymple that she is on the point OF
striking him with her small, .clenched
hand. But once again she subduee
herself and grinds the little doubled
fingers into the palm of the other
hand. and 80 stands staring at him
silent but breathing very quickly.
"You do not deny It," says he, his
last hope dead.
"Deny what you saw? How could
II" says she. And then suddenly she
bursts out laughing, q little neal OF
laughter, wild indeed but without mer
riment.
"Come, IL you must tell me your ex
periences, let as 60 where there 10 air.
she says, pressing her hand against
her throat. II cannot breathe here
She passes him and steps hurriedly
through the window on to the bal
cony, and leaning against the rails al
II glad Of their support, drinks In
greedily the sweet, soft night air
heavy with the perfumes Of the sleep
ing flowers beneath.
The sky Is bright with stars, and II
their midst crescent moon hangt
lightly. Eleanor. after a quick glance
at 1t, turns her gaze with an impatient
gesture to the dense gloom Of the darl
pines upon her right that look like &
dark blot upon the already gloomy
HaelkpesS Of the woods around.
rAre yon enRgeA to DartforaT
asks Dairypple, stespIy. He has fol
lowed her and = RoW trying yaiply t
read her face IN the uncertain high,
cast upon 1t BY the faint beams thrown
BY the half-Grown moon.
NO" impulsively.
'No! And yet. He proposed Il
your
No answer. r
mot even that" aays he bitterly
sWhy. It % q sorry tale. It would hav,
been bad enough II he had made 20,
IN honorable offer Of NJ hand; but a,
It 49, ~
sDo you know." aaJs sbe. turning (,
him snd speaking very slowly. Atha
It y htsrihle to hate any one % ! hat,
your. y &,
col nsysr mind me-" saYs he. II