The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-10-09
CRATER II.

M Miss Mitford's voice, face and man
nor were SO unexpected as to be lit
u ne startling. But the young man III
antly stood aside and raised his hat
u nth an ratiating smile. He smiled,
not because he found her manner
musing, but because it. was his habit
y smile where women were concerned.
Ehcy were always SO very gracious to
him that he had never yet found &C.
s@casiOn to frown in their company. He
f-0ffered his hand to help her to
allght from the carriage, but he was
g10st moment too late, Us she was al
q Ssteady on the platform.
sss She found that the train to Noel
Gombe was behind it's time 1T would
\ not be in for half an hour. During the
earlier part of that interval Smithers,
who was now :exonerated from suspi-
#ciOn, and Helen formed the nucleus of
q group consisting of several of6cials,
the policeman and Smithers' master,
who, to that young persons annoyance,
I had entered with iotflcious interest into
the discussion concerning her loss. He
was 4 young man of some energy, and
energy to those who live idle lives, IL
asSuperduous possession of which they
( are glad to find opportunity to rid
4 themselves. Besides which, Miss Nit
8 ford was an unusually pretty girl and
IN distress. So he took the investiga-
! tiDn OF the affair into his own hands,
directed ever yiueasurc which was
adopted for the recovery of the proper
sty, asked q hundred questions, and
showed some talent for the detective
Sfxade.
The cross-examination to which she
II Eas compelled to submit was not the
gaeast unpleasant part of the unfortun-
sate day. At length the subject, ex-
eshaustive as 1t proved, was brought to,
- abrupt conclusion by the arrival of
tile Plymouth Zulu. Helen withdrew
the ladies' waiting room, where she
lf sulking In the sitting heat of the
/ Erowded room. She was cross, hot,
tired, but she was glad to escape from
sIef undesirable notoriety, and still
/ more quiet to be quit of the persistent
aze and searching interrol lions from
u HIST complacent con of the lOW-born,
n urse-proud Sir Adolphus Jones. whose
attention swere intoler-
B able.
gsg Beggars cannot be chocsers, and 1t
4 generally understood that they
& s(hould be very grateful for any favor,
however small, which is thrust upon
than. Indeed, Helen was glad-truly
4 Eankful-to he spared the discomfort
EAecegsarily attending journey which
VaaSto be performed without tickets,
Il money or companion.
Beneath an armor Of pride which
eountarfeited self-relisEce, Helen con-
Y oole0 q courage no stouter and nerves
- tougher than these owned by her
sSonf5e sisters; her braveness and her
4 S0mposure were but skin-deep. When
Il porter came into the waiting room
4 ma told her that the train In which
- 49, to travel was due, and when
80 found her self-elected conductor
aiting her at the door, she was glad
4 hies protection. 4
The train won't be In for ten min
Ii e a he said, at cnce. II hope you
Y 70: tmind me having sent for you, but
A xlinnRtt you would like q cup Of tea
aOmething before you co." i
SsS 0uIA anything be kinder or more
4 6tnSt darate2 The very words, - cup
4 are refreshing to the female
q Aelen's head ached, and she real
h 66 that5 she was extremely thirsty:
q ~ Inn S1ned the comfort Of q cup Of
4 a And ut rho preferred her thirst
MA hef5Mear1neSs to accepting another
Y TT e rs hands OF this stranger.
@ |Nsa oWeSl l0o ting ut her intentiy, rath-
perhapx had he found her In
: "a tliatS NJ governess-a
81 81 whsEe she would