The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-10-30
b. BEATRICE WHITLEY.
QlAPTnR 1v-foont,nuea.,

81 % 90 long a time since
AAd the extreme pleasure of
b n 4l! you, Lady Jones, that for the
4 moment, hardly knew you," size
Q ~ axed. 1T seemed SO stupid, but,
eennately. ! left my spectacles on
aM@ seat below the magnolia,
X without them am nearly blind:
s1aAM indeed"
" eyes fail me, too, Miss Milford,
\ 10 In eQHy to say I don't wear
b n ssas34 but these awkward pinch
which my girls prefer, though
fau from my nose as often as /
\ moo them there"
But notice that your-ahem-your
aeSeS are suspended from your neck
H. chain, which is so very convenient.
~ spectacles frequently get mislaid.
ssAe = impossible" with gentle sigh,
TO attach apectacles."
.I Ne. Jones, to do him justice, was
renewing with tact; he looked as
n tn0ugh he was in the habit Of paying
n afternoon calls with his mother, and
appeared quite ut home ON the tiny
SnAlr In the corner, where he had re-
4 treated on his arrival, and from
nence. for the first few moments, he
4 Watched the scene in silence.
Az soon as the elder ladies' were fair
engaged in conversation, Helen
\ turned and spoke to this unassertive
uest; though she was conscious that
Ms eyes rested more persistently upon
4 nefR than was quite in accordance with
5000 manners. she no longer appeared
20 resent 1t. If she had approved her,
L ena had appeared the previous day, it
sFas not probable that his admiration
would lessen on the second sight Of the
1 9tri. who, for some inexplicable rea-
& oon, had mended her manner as much
Ssa9 she had improved her appearance.
Il Yesterday he had fancied her gauche,
seons6ained, shy; now she was gracious,
eoh-poseessed, and smiling, although
! there was something in her ceremonious
Nciytlity which baked his endeavors to
arrive at that easy, hail-fellow-well-
stage of intimacy which he usually
adopted with those fortunate girls to
whom he took liking; yet he was
not inclined to quarrel with her demea-
81 nor. After all 1t was O change, and
variety is refreshing.
2 He had come for the purpose Of in
Nytting her to the ball, and he saw
no reason for concealing his purpose,
30 he Immediately approached the sub
ject.
# my mothers brought you card"
he said, and then he urged her to &c
seept the invitation.
Her smiling indifference to the whole
question was rather astonishing to one
whose desire, opinion or remark usual
~ received the undivided attention of
I the honored lady to whom it was d.
Svulged.
0azarded. perhaps you don't so to
4 balk?"
Il was at ball last week." she re-
Perhaps you have had too much Of
It. One gets sick Of anything"
She smiled at him without answering
"a provoking smile, because it was
ambiguous
He thought those gray eyes of hers,
with which she looked straight into his,
were very clear and cold. but wonder
fully pretty;.he. thought she, looked like
. rose herself IN her pink cotton gown
and her hands filled with roses; he
thought he should like to own that
eaoth-of- gold bud with which she toyed
half absently while she talked. He
Wished she would be less uuapproach-
0blo and more responsive.
Perhaps" he began again, still
searching for q cause for her refusal,
s.you don't care for q ball out Of your
own neighborhood? Do strangers bore
your"
ION the contrary, I like change, and
therefore a change Of faces"
Then, why" doggedly, won't you
come to us?"
II am 10 sorry" with that formal
! Dir Of politeness that was artificial, he
fnew, and which annoyed him, chat
j an unable to accept your kind in
sttation."
II an most unlucky," he returned,
With smile; you will accept nothing
ct mine-not even a lift in my dog
cart"
Il was the first time he had alluded
- their prior acquaintance, and she
/ biushed little when he did so, though
che answered with that calm SAVIOR
feire and self-reliance which seemed to
place her at great distance OF and
reversed their former position, to his
advantage.
Yesterday you were stranger to
ne" she said. demurely.
$50 IL cabnan a stranger; but YOU
drive II. bis cab all right"
pay cabman." q
.sYou could pay me. If you like"
n have no money"
II would have put 1t down" he said.
;. Il would have taken out the fare in
lAnces."
= ssYNu were very Kind" with a mis-
ehievous twinkle in her eyes, ito pro-
Scoe driving me, but you could hardly
%wect me to trespass upon your good
ssss by accepting your Offer"
ut was no case Of trespassing," he
Seturned, answering the twinkle with
Q laugh. 1.-THE cart was there and the
simply seat ready for you. Upon my
Wnrd, was miserable the whole even
Ing at the thought Of your walking
/ homo. couldn't forget 1t: but It was
syour own fault"
a very steady ana expressive glance
Gtom his companion disconnected the
4 speaker.
sIfs1t wasn't your own fault, Idoh't
know. who was to blame" he added,
WITH some defiance. ''When It was
baIf way home I nearly turned back