The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-10-30
OF SKILL.

AAe Ahussneus Suey WeFc SullluS uu.
pleasantly near the wind; he must
change the subject.
$50 you came in the guise Of par
eel? What fortunate carrier! I am
glad you were spared the walk, though
am inclined to think you deserved to
suffer for refusing my escort" then,
with q sudden happy thought: "You
pass through pretty country on the
way here, don't your
Exceedingly" with disappointing
lack Of enthusiasm.
You do not know the Rivers Meet
Vale, near here?"
you must see it."
Eyes; l should like to go there.''
Its q perfect bit of scenery. 1t
country, and have done q tiresOme
bit of knocking about in my life. The
rivers come IN contact in narrow val
ley between a brace of granite tors.
There Is such a tunult over the meet
ing Of the waters that you can hear the
splashing and the roar half mile off.
powders from the cliff have rolled
down into the bed of the river, and the
water lashes at them NIL day long and
sends up clouds of spray which keeps
the air cool, even in the hottest sum-
mer morning. The Osmunda RECALLS
grows eight feet on the banks. Inland
you get a view over the moor, and sea-
ward you can see right away beyond
Morte Point"
"How beautiful
"Indecd, it is beautiful"
Scenery was stimulating and STIR
ring topic. Mr.. Jones felt that he had
not hitherto fully appreciated the beau
ties Of North Devon.
THE morning after the ball we are
going to drive up there for q blow"
he continued. 1--WE are all going. a
largish party. We shall take lunch
and make day of it. It's rather q
difficult place to get at; the roads are
execrable. You will come with us.
won't you? You would love the Vale.
and my mother would be pleased to
have you"
Helen's eyes had sunk to the roses
on her knee; she hesitated, and he
eagerly pressed his advantage.
Il will get the carriers cart, IL that
Is the only conveyance you fancy; and
If mayn't drive you, at least I may
walk by the horses head and crack the
whip occasionally"
May I leave it open?"
"No," he said, boldly; ''that is lust
what you may not do. hate uncer-
tainty worse than misfortune. II you
will come, it will be very kind Of you;
but will make up my minG to bear
the disappointment
1T must deperd upon my aunt"
with an accession Of dignity that the
young man did not seem to remark.
Il thought it depended on you" he
said, frankly. IF it depends upon her.
1t is easily arranged" and forthwith
he arose from his chair, quilted his
nonplussed conf anion, and, turn
ing his shoulder upon her, address.
ed Miss Elizabeth. He had hardly fin.
ished his petition for permission for
Helen to join their Rivers Meet pic
mic before It was gratefully accorded.
Whose picnic is It, Alberto? asked
Lady Jones, rising as she spoke, pre-
paratory to taking leave. IT hadn't
heard word Of it. Dear me! I fancy
you must have made g. mistake. for I.
do not think we are invited"
Its all right, mother" he replied,
calmly. "The girls are going, and ali
the people In the house. It Is our own
picnic, but it's rather premature to
talk Of it, for the waather's so uncom-
MOI, monty 2 unsettled down here in the
When the visitors had gone, the elder
Miss Milford waxed eloquent over their
charms and flooded her discourse with
their praises.
"Such genial and friendly people,
love; the young man SO handsome and
SO easy! If poor Lady Jones is not
quite what we are accustomed to In
polish, yet her deficiencies are conceal.
ed by good nature. People are sadly
unkind about them. Jealousy, love. "a
at the root Of all unlkindness. Between
ourselves, Helen, I think that nice
young man has taken q fancy to you.
You have no idea how he started when
you were bidding his mamma good
by-it was almost uncivil; but then he
has such handsome eyes!"
HE Is very self-satisded and con:
ceited," said the younger lady, with
cold deliberation.
Dear, dear, you astonish me, Helen!
From your manner and general air I
quite thought-well, well, really. could
not tell you what ! did think; old maids
II wonder il they are as fanciful as
young ones," thought the girl, dipping
her sweet face down in the basket
Of roses before her and smiling rather
grimly. -, H.
CHAPTER v.
Upon the afternoon Of that duy which
had been fixed for the ball at Newton