The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-07-17

II seems 10 me, uncle, that you Qre
very prejudiced against poor Sydney
Drummond, and have resolved to be-
lieve in nothing save that he is guilty. -
Frances had said this roachfully
and angrilly; and hardly had she ut
tered the words when she regretted
that she had spoken so disrespectfully
and unbecomingly to her uncle, and
with dOwncast head was awaiting his
rebuke for her inconsiderate impetu-
osity.
But Sir Loghlen, without replying,
had walked to the window, at which
he stood for several minutes, his back
toward his niece, that she might not
perceive the emotion her words had
caused.
The baronet was thinking Of the
agony he had felt when, in that house
to which he had so joyfully proceeded,
he had seen in the son his heart had
been so yearning to embrace, the guilty
and degraded bankers clerk.
And in that unexpected apparition,
In the torture he had endured, he had
beheld, as he believed, certain sign
that heaven would pardon him his past
iniquity. He had, he told himself, re-
ceived blow it was impossible he
could long survive.
When his features had, as he knew,
resumed their usual placidity, Sir
Loghlen again approached his niece,
and taking her hand, said sadly to her,
II am greatly uneasy concerning your
future; must, Frances, before die,
see you in the arms Of protector-of
husband"
"a husband!' exclaimed Frances,
with terrified looks, and shrinking
away from the baronet. ut is, then,
but too true! You would make of me
Stanley Claremont's wife!'
"What Gun there appear to you that
is strange in such proposal?" de-
manded the baronet. STANLEY, be-
Fsides being your cousin, and q most
disinterested relative, is also a worthy
gentleman"
Frances O'Meara's features were
overspread with an expression Of the
most profound loathing and contempt.
Sir Loghlen had not observed that
look, and continued.
1T Is not permitted me to doubt tt
that mission whose issue has caused
me so much grief and torture; that
mission which James Frampton, SO
shockingly dying, left incompleted, my
nephew undertook to fulfil"
A light broke in upon Frances
O'Meara's mind, and, speaking hur-
rfedly, 'It was, then, Stanley, who con.
Quoted you to the door of that house.
said to you"
Enter, uncle, and you will find there
him whom you are seeking" said the
baronet, interrupting and answering
his niece before she had completed her
question.
Frances now saw plainly the motive
which had urged her cousin so to act,
although Sir Loghfen did not.
Gould Stanley suspect" cried the
baronet, that he was about to con-
front me with Sydney Drummond?"
Perhaps" replied Frances, and very
pointedly.
For shame, Frances! angrily and
Indignantly exclaimed the young girls
uncle, turning from her and once more
proceeding toward the window.
While Frances, glancing round, saw
Stanley Claremont just entering the
room, she could not for the time pro.
coed with her uncle as she had in.
tended.
So, turning from her hateful cousin.
she threw herself into q chair. at the
very farthest extremity of the apart
ment.
And Stanley Claremont, observing
the constrained manner Of uncle and Of
niece, felt perfectly certain that he had
been the subject Of their recent CONVEX
sation.
Gliding to Sir Loghlen's side, he said
smoothly, what has happened, uncle?
You appear much agitated."
And the baronet, glancing angrily to-
ward his niece, muttered that her in
justice was revolving to him.
II am to understand, then that the
question between you was Of that
union to which my happiness is at
tached?"
Frances rose from her chair, and.
walking toward her cousin, her lin
curling scornfully, looked him full and
steadily in the face, but did not speak.
And she had no occasion, for Stan
ley rightly understood the look she
fixed upon him, and replied to 1t.
Yes, repeat my happiness, nj
though you may not be able to be-
lieve it, but your felicity IL the dear.
est OF my wishes; and It Is from time
from yourself, Frances, that would
obtain consent which the impatience
Of our uncle would perhaps cause him
to wrest from you. will wait,
Frances"
And the Baronet was more than
ever delighted with his nephew, and
harshly reproached Frances, that she
would not render Justice to her cous.
ms sentiments.
And to. her uncle's upbraidings
Frances replied that speech might be
masked as well as the face; and what
could 1t matter to her uncle, she In.
quired, what were her thoughts, since
he well knew that her gratitude and
respect were laws which compelled
her to obedience Of his win, however
harshly 1t might please him to exert
1t.
And very wretched was she; aud ID
the solitude Of her own chamber told
herself that her cousin must be very
certain that Sydney was for ever de
stroyed, since. he had said 90 con
tentedly to her that he would no,
hurry her to a consent, but was will
ing to wait. IS .f,
Left with the baronet, Stanley Glare
mont proceeded, without . moments