The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-05-15


been so long delayed.
CHAPTER v.
ssS Past, Present and Future.
u Greatly AFFLICTED was the baronet by
The loss Of his old and faithful servant.
and greatly shocked by the manner of
his death.
And with James Frampton had per-
ghAps forever disappeared all chance
ut knowing that which the baronet
had for years been very eager to dis
cover.
Sir. L0ghlen, convalescent when his
nephew and niece returned to him,
from rather serious illness, was near
10 suffering relapse when the fatal
s1ldtngs concerning his old servant were
Wrought to him.
s But he bore up bravely. The crush
Ing calamity Of his sons death had
somewhat steeled his heart to after
faMiction; for, after that one terrible
sc0mparative fghtness.
81 It was on the third day after the re-
turn of Frances and Stanley to their
:Nncle's residence, some few miles from
Wexford, that Frances. looking from
SDAkC VI llo WluNlUNS, ultcISu So 1Ouu
exclamation that Sir Loghlen. seated
by the fire in deep thought, was start
he'd by her cry from out the reverie
into which he had fallen.
While Stanley Claremont bounded
from the chair in which he had been
sitting opposite the baronet and hur-
ces was still gazing. her face and neck
nd
full expression increasing the brilliancy
slustrous eyes.
One glance toward Frances, ard her
cousin had been prepared for that
which he beheld on looking from the
window.
& He saw Sydney Drummond seated
on a car which was jogging up the
avenue toward the house. and with
difficulty suppressed the execration
(which had risen to his lips.
II is the gentleman Of whom have
already spoken to you. UNCLE" said
Frances hurriedly. and with much con-
sfuslon of manner.
II am glad of it, darling" was the
sbaronet's response.
Frances, in a great fiutter, yet be-
sateving that she was acting calmly and
with becoming dignity. rang the bell
and instructed the servant who an
8Wered it that the gentleman who had
Just arrived was to be received with
every respect and conducted immedf-
Ately to her uncle's presence.
And presently Sydney Drummond
entered the room, carrying in his hand
BY the strap which was around it the
snall- well secured box. which we
have already mentioned as containing
certain important documents and q
vafher large sum of money.
COlilly and haughtily bowed the bar
Onet's nephew as Sydney entered the
room; while Frances. her eyes cast
down as IL she were particularly ex-
nmining the carpet, timidly extended
her hand to her agreeable companion
Of the Dreadnought.
81 have ventured hither to-to-to-'
.stammered Sydney, and could proceed
mo further.
And Frances, glad SO to relieve the
.yOung mans embarrassment, and per-
haps discovering that she was not her.
self at ease, led Sydney toward her
.uncle. who lad already risen to re-
-celve him.
Sir Loghlen, while his niece was go
ing through the form Of Introduction,
started slightly. and, drawing back a
step, fixed his eyes steadily for mo-
.ment or two on Sydney's face, his own
c0unAenance at the time wearing q
very puzzled expression.
While Stanley Claremont, on his
mart, was keenly and darkly watching
the baronet.
1t length, as If recalled to that which
was required of him, Sir Loghlen hast
.fly recovered the step which just be-
fore he had receded, and grasping sgd
ney's hand, welcomed him warmly,
and earnestly thanked him for the at
.tentions which, on board the steam
sboat, he had bestowed on Frances.
sydney bowed and muttered some al
most inarticulate words; and felt how
little he merited the bar0net's graft
A tude, since all his attentions to Fran.
ces had arised from most selfish and
interested motives.
On learning that the bankers clerk
had still a couple Of weeks or so At
his own disposal, the baronet entreat.
ed that the young gentleman would
for that period become his guest.
very feebly, in spite Of all his reason.
atty which he would have to pay for O
prolonged acquaintance with Frances
O'Meara.
Frances herself had Joined her en-,
treaties to. those of her uncle. and
;had said that, IL Sydney would remain
\ with them for q fortnight or less. FOL
& which lis company had been solicited
~ hcr.uncle, That then he would havs