The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-02-01
CHAPTER 1x-tc...,.u.a.,

y OAAeSS
that day, when Sowerby learned that
his wife had at last succeeded to that
fortune. her before supposed posses
sion OF which ad been his only in.
ducement to wed with her; and he
learned, too, that the efforts he had
made to break her heart had sue
ceeded. and she was dying.
Pardon your repentant husband,
and embrace once again our little
Theodore" Norton SOwerby pleaded,
kneeling beside the bed Of his dying
wife, and giving into her craving arms
o lovely little boy Of about two years
Of age. =
She gasped family as she strove to
draw the child to her bosom and 90 ex-
pired.
She had already bequeathed the
greater portion Of her fortune to her
son, IL still he should be living, be.
slowing 1t on her relatives in case he
were no more. ~ '-'
For awhile Norton Sowerby -four
ished bravely with that fortune, but
long before he Ind come into posses
sion Of the Dareleigh estates, every
guinea of It had vanished from his
grasp. 's-@N: - { 2 -
Certainly. Theodore, his son, was
sent to college; and 1t was there the
young man had first become ac-
qualnted with Edwin Forester, and a
firm friendship had arisen between
them. before TheOdore's father had
become Il viscount. which had con-
.tinucti with undated ardour, and un-
affected by the dignity to which one OF
these two firm friends had been ele-
waited. - tSrr :, !
Edwin Forester. rs we have seen,
had chosen the medical profession;
and Viscount Dareleigh's son had be-
come barrister, and had soon given
promise Of speedy rise 70 emlnencs
In the way Of life lie had chosen. 1;
Perhaps the chief motive which had
urged Theodore to pursue the law as
profession, and SO somewhat to Of
fend the viscOunt's notions Of perfect
dignity, was the cOldness' and neglect
with which he had. so long as he
could remember. been treated by his
father. - A. =
TheOdore's heart had been constantly
yearning for some proof Of TINT fathers
love for his son, but not the slightest
token Of affection had ever been vouch-
safed.
Viscount Dareleigh was ambitious OF
higher worldly honors, and had re-
solved to use his son rs stepping
stone towards the prcrerment at which
he mined: therefore, 1t was that he
had sought for Theodore an alliance
with the daughter Of noble house,
| whose head could boast Of very linz
portant political influence.
And Theodore, ut first reluctant, had
soon gladly yielded to his fathers
| wishes, because he has soon become
enamored of the young lady who had
been selected as his future wife.
Theod0re's marriage had for some
time been arranged md decided ON, nj.
though day had not yet been named
| for Its, accomplishment. $50 =. -, =;
Mrs. ,Chesterton's Invitation would
not have been accepted BY, the Wis
counts son, but for the hope that, in
the society he would meet there, his
friend might. for q few hours at least,
forget his own; sorrows, Of which Theo.
dore had been told the cause,
: He could not endure to see Edwin
Forester so sad and wretched as he
had been of late. and had compelled
the young man to bear him company
In this visit to the widows house.
And Yiscount Dareieigh. too. had
arrived to make one of this nights
party. ,s-R
Only q few hours before that at which
we have now arrived had the viscOunt
nothing Of Mrs. Chestert0n, he had
to throw aside, when his eye fell on 9
few words, which had been added In
pencil at the bottom Of the note.
And those words were:
1T is necessary 1 should see you
concerning the arrangements for your
sons marriage with the daughter Of
the earl of Ashdown."
The viscount was astolnded.
What could Mrs. Chesterton have t.
do with any matters between him and
the earl of Ashdowny How had she
become informed of the intended mar.
riage, which had been and still waA q
closely guarded secretY
And why was it necessary that she
should be consulted concerning ttY
1t was to know all this that the Wis
count was that evening at Mrs. Ches:
terton's housej and o few moments
after his arrival there he encountered
prised at their meeting Mt that place.
| AuSouoEV SAPAAthCt hAAAhS AAC AAd~ Az
ceived an invitation, and for his
frienl's sake only hal accepted 1t.
Are YOU acquainted with Mrs. CheS.
| tertonY" the viscOunt eagerly demand.
ed. 81.
NOT Mt all, SIR" Theodore replied;
"and was far from expecting that
should have the honor to meet you
here h. VI 2
And the viscount sank into deep
thought, and was, he knew not where
for, uneasy and apprehensive of COM
ing Ill. .f,.5. .I.....,. -t.
He walked amidst the guests, search
ing, yet almost fearing to find this
Mrs. Chesterton.
Suddenly light hand was laid upon
his shoulder. and musical voice said
aloud: -
Look at me. Viscount Dareleigh,
and let me have the happiness to know
that you have not forgotten an old
friend" Sils,l /
For nearly twenty years he had not
heard that voice, but it's tones were
still and well remembered. ...., B
He turned toward the speaker and
beheld. as he had known he would,
Eugenia Reckless-the only woman he
had ever really loved, and his accom-
plice in that terrible crime which had,
ut last, made of him Viscount Dare
leigh. ............ .l.. s..i.,.-l
His surprise passed, he looked coldly
and sterply on his formerly 'adored
Eugenia. III s.,ss4 +
Pardon me that I did not fosewarn
you Of my presence in London" said
Eugenia, lightly and smilingly, and,
with just little touch Of irony; ':but
wished to be a witness Of your sur
prise. and see that It is very great
The viscount was forged for time
to contain himself. for people were
about him. witnesses to all that was
passing. and 30 he muttered. conatrain-
eddy, that his surprise could be sur.
passed only by his JOY at the present
meeting.
And Mrs. Chesterton smiled gra.
ciously, and thanked him, and asked
to be introduced to his son, and greeted
Theodore warmly, and bestowed. on
him a long and very approving look.
And, perfectly radiant, said: y
II can perceive, viscount, that your
son IL most completely worthy Of the
praises which everywhere are show
cred upon him. ''''is ;i'fs ~
And almost beside Mrs. Chesterton
though unnOticed by her, was one who
was watching her every look, listening
eagerly to her every word.
And that person, of whom We Will
presently speak, was saying to him
self: T--t's
"How easily dow her words-h how
/ I, I-N -