The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-12-18
OF SKILL.

the village: he did not offer to help her;
she followed close at his heels. He
seemed afraid Of another silence and
talked fast, but on the surface OF
things; she answered In low monysyl-
tables. They had passed the village,
and were entering the shadows Of tue
glen. How the time rushed by!-these
bitter-sweet moments which, the bend
Of the road once passed, would be at
end forever. Her heart was thrIbbing
fast with pain; he was so calm, 80 self
contained, while she could rot COM
mand her trembling voice &C as to an
swer him. Once she had had her
chance: once she might have had all
for which she now pinned, but che had
flung it away. "He that will not when
he may. when he will he shall have
nay" How was she to know that his
calmness was born of something like
despaira that Of all his troubles, the
bitterest by far had been caused by
her! He, too, was realizing that these
moments were almost over; he, too.
had n pain like knife in his breast.
Suddenly, on an impulse, he broke out,
with fragment of moan. He was
by nature, frank and unreserved, and
the darkness through which they
walked made confession easy.
II used to think Twas such a lucky
chap; everything always went straight;
I never lad the heartache in my life till
till last July, Helen. Then my luck
changed; and now you know-at least,
you must have heard-how badly
things have gone with u.s."
He could not see the quivcring face
she turned away from him, but he
heard q smOthered sob.
':How sweet you are" he said; "you
are sorry for U.S."
'Not for you" she answered, desper-
ately. but for myself"
''Why for yourself?' very gently.
Because, because-I may only watch
storm at sea with you, and I want to
help you through other-harder-
storms" She spoke distinctly.
'That is pity
NO." she returned, with something
of her own spirit, at is not
What do you mean, Helen?'
II mean that when you left me, when
you deserted me, broke my heart"
do You know what you are saying Z?
Do you know that this is cruel! that
your pity makes me mad?"
PITY? tell you it is not pity.
WHOM SnOulO plCy!
ME"
why should I pity you?"
"a ruined, Tilted, obscure man gets
pity. If not contempt"
"Don't talk like that; will not listen
to you. I pity any one who pities you.
never understood. I was puzzled.
was angry because did
not know what made me like you; hut
know now; have heard now; the
whole world knows what you have
DONE"
THAT'S as l thought" he told her
gravely; "that is what feared. You
have got hold of some exaggerated tale
about this business as women
love-and have made q saint out of q
sinner, a hero out Of an honest trades
man. And now you fancy things; in
Your generosity you would say any
thing. Before, when nothing stood be-
: tween us. you would not look at me-"
Wouldn't /? You only tried me
once, and then you went away, and
and"
"Hush! hush! don't talk like this
now. It is too late"
The panied agitation of his manner
was her best consolation.
am not gong 10 make love to you
any more" she said with an imitation
OF her former vivacity, the effect of
which the break in her voice destroyed.
If you won't have me when throw
myself at your head, It is very disa-
greeable and rude Of you.''
lou don't understand what you Of
fer"
Excuse me, but I understand per-
fectly."
II have nothing; have to begin
work as an unpaid clerk in a mer-
chants Office; my mother will live with
me. 1t will be uphill work for years
and years, even II I am most fortu-
nate"
eyes," she said, 'and Won are a man
of expensive tasteg: Won have ,,aad
luxuries as necessities. Poverty will viii
he Terribly hard On Won. Won Win ont
bad rendered: Won win want = vent eut
for yu,Ir anger-have mev,
T6ey had EMERGED from the shadow
Of the glen and reached the rariien
door. and throneh the dim twil,oht her
brave ewes. Wet with tears. smiled At
a - - =. " 1902. 5000. -