The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-05-08

who. BY their youth, were fitted for
and BY their birth were worthy Of
the honor designed them-tor such
reasons 1t was, we shy, that Francei
O'Meara and Stanley Claremont, both
OF them at the time little more than
children, had been admitted by the
Baronct as additions to his family.
The parents Of both these cousins
had readily consented, as q matter Of
course. that their children should re-
side for some few years with their
wealthy relative.
Frances O'Meara soon became, un-
happily. IN orphan: her father and
mother both had died.
For Stanley Claremont's parents,
they were we'll satisfied at having sue
ceeded in placing their unworthy son
with his rich uncle, and ceased then to
trouble themselves concerning tho
young gentleman; convinced, no doubt,
that he would know how to avail HIM
self to the utmost of the advantages
which were to he derived from his
position he had then acquired.
The three cousins grew up together,
and of Frances Sir Loghlen had, in q
year or two, become as fond as though,
instead of being his neice, whom mere-
ly for convenience sake he had adj
mitted into his house, she had been
his own most precious daughter, who
had never. from the moment of her
birth, been once beyond his sight.
The Baronet had never greatly cared
for his nephew, nor had Frances ever
entertained the slightest partially for
her cousin; for the young lady, even
when a child, had possessed great per-
cepttve powers, and very early came
to thoroughly understand the true dis
position of Stanley Claremont.
Processing, now. ardent love for his
beautiful cousin Frances. she had been
to him, before the death Of Sir Iogh-
lens son. an object Of most palpable
Indifference, II not Of utter dislike.
And the pretended change in his
feelings Frances could very easily, to
herself, account for. So long as the
Baronet's son had been living his
uncle's wealth had awakened no am
bilious thought in Stanley Claremont's
mind; Frances O'Meara was for him n
little. insignificant girl, whom he
would permit quietly to dwell in the
neighborhood of an immense fortune
in which it seemed Impossible she
could ever share.
But, at the age Of twenty. Edward
O'Meara, who was of fiery tempera-
ment and quick to take offence. UNI
happily provoked a man older than
himself and more experienced in such
| matters, to engage with him a duel.
The result was fatal to young Edward
O'Meara; and when the young man
had been thus suddenly snatched from
his fathers tenderness, Frances
O'Aleara's Importance was, in STAN
svnar co6 fn oJy1,n
limited extent.
Frances had become very wealthy
heiress; and very natural calculation
showed to Stanley, in q marriage with
his charming cousin, the union of the
two branches of the family, and of
the two halves Of that inheritance,
which the death Of young Edward
O'Meara had left to be divided be-
tween them.
And to mercenary calculation had
Frances rightly attributed her Cousins
very sudden affection for herself; and
soon had she reason to believe TINT
Stanley, with all his skill and daring,
would utterly fail at any time to
reach the golden end at which he
aimed.
When time had softened the great
grief he had endured at his sons
death, the Baronet one day called his
niece to his presence, and said to her,
"You will soon learn, Frances, to I'M
derstand the human heart; for believe
ing you to be a rich heiress, aspirants
for your hand will spring up in crowds
around you"
And then, affectionately drawing her
to him, he told her that it might be,
indeed he hoped, that no great portion
of his wealth would fall to his neice's
share.
There was in the world, he said.
person towards whom he had to re-
pair a mighty wrong-to that person,
could he but find him, the Baronet's
fortune would belong.
Sir Loghlen had we'll judged Frances
for on hearing this communication her
heart had felt neither regret nor jeal-
ousy; but she thanked her uncle for his
confidence, for she would be able to
say to those who should solicit her
hand. rs It Frances or the heiress
whom you importllne? The last ex-
lists not: do you still desire the otler?"
And Frances assured her uncle. and
was by him entirely believed. that she
could renounce without regret a for.
tune which she had always regarded
without envy. and without q desire
| for its possession.
Go Be Continued.)
MUSHROOMS AND TOADsTOOLs.