The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-10-09
Tat ! Err
OF SKILL. !

F SKILL [. j 5
saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaae&
among lesson books and naughty chill.
dren. He was intensely co,nnassionate
over her fate. Unfortunately. she wne
slightly uncouth and abrunt, but IA
doubt she was shy and littlo over
whelmed by the interest he had shown
in her misfortunes.
MI. Jones, young, good looking, pop-
ular among his fellow men. ana heir To
prodfgious income, was not likely ia
be humble nor blind to his own nd.
vantages. The kind maidens. ana
their still kinder mothers, with whom
he came In contact at every stage Of
his life, had flattered and caioled him
into the belief that his personal at
fractions were irresistible.
He would like to see her smile; her
smile ought to be very sweet: there
was suspicion Of dimple indenting
her pale cheek. How white, how tr.lv-
el-soiled, how grave she looked! He
was SO sorry for her. But her conduct
was disappointing; for she, with frigid
politeness, refused his offer Of tea, and
turned to re-enter the ladies' waiting
room.
'Why not wait here?'' he inquired
earnestly.
Il should like to rest until the train
is in" with what he called her un-
fortunate govemess manner.
"You can rest out here" pointing to
an adjacent bench; ''thefe is more air
out here. It is much better for you
than being stifled among all those
women. Do come, you are looking SO
awfully done up, and I viii bring you
a cup of tea down here"
But the waiting room door had
closed behind her before his sentence
was ended. It was evident that she
was very gauche, but 1t was also evil
dent to her observant and good-na-
tured companion that she was tired
out; he was convinced that she had re-
fused his offer from some other mo-
tive than disinclination for the prof
fered refreshment.
ut Is On awful thing for ashy girl to
accept anything from a strange fell
low" he reflected. 81 was clumsy; I
must manage it better. She shall have
her tea, swear, for I know she is
dying for it," and he walked of to the
refreshment room.
A few minutes later a maid, accom-
panied by Smithers, and carrying tea,
cake, biscuits and plate filed with
white-heart cherries, entered the ladies'
waiting room. There, at Smither's d.
rection, the tray was placed on the Ia
BILE by Helen's side, with the words:
1.-THE gentleman desired me to bring
these, ma'am."
The retreating figure showed no con-
seriousness Of Helen's quick disclaimer.
ut Is q mistake I ordered nothing
Il want nothing"
That tea and those seductive cher
ries stood untasted at this foolish girls
elbow. She looked at them wistfully,
but she touched them not. When her
train came into the station she felt
that she was turning her back on q
terrible temptation, as she hustled out
upolEthe crowded platform, where she
was Immediately Joined by Mr.. Jones.
'sThis way, IL you please. I've got
you a carriage. Ny man will see to
your luggage; it Is with NINE"
And he hustled her on till they had
reached an empty compartment, the
door ofwhich was held open by Smith
ers.
ST am travelling third" she said,
glancing within the carriage. s'This is
first"
1.-THE mantle who do-you-call-it at
the ticket Office" stamering over the
prevarication, gave me a first-class
ticket for you.'
r As indeed he had done, and had paid
for 1t, too.
Thank you, but I like third best; it
1T Is coolest
GAS you please" The girl was less
shy than disagreeable, after all. II
am going in there" indicating the
smoking carriage next door, $50 you
would get this place yourself. The rest
Of the train is very much crowded"
J Helen hesltated. She believed that
the white ticket which she held had
been provided by the generosity Of the
railway company; she also believed
that by q fortunate coincidence-not by
bribery and corruption-the selected
compartment happened to be empty
the only empty compartment in the
full train.
Smithers, with respectful mien, pa
tiently held the door open. Take your
seats!" shouted q porter at her elbow.
An eager crowd Of excited excursion
lists surged past; q drunken man stag
gered close to her. Mr.. Jones said
nothing, but preserved an Indifferent
air. The drunken man settled the
question. Helen shrunk away In dis
gust from him, and saying, II really
think I will go In here" entered the
carriage precipitately, and with some
loss Of dignity. '4
'There was an excursion to Exeter
from Barnstaple to day." Mr.. Jones ex-
planned '.They 60 back by this train.
We shall getrid Of the crowd there"
He was standing ON the platform.
still with his hand on the sill Of the