The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-02-21
2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

QQQQQQQQQQQQ
demeanor and which once very nearly
frightened his affianced bride.
The result Of the young lady's self
communtngs was that she dawdled
about her toilet, that she took an un-
considerably long time in dressing.
that she lowered over her lunch, and
persisted afterward in maintaining an
animated discussion with Lord Gwen
dale, who was pleased to find his
daughter interested in a subject which
interested him and for which she had
not shown any previous sympathy.
Lady Evelyne, resorted, iu fact, to a
dozen little schemes, and as many OF
the recognized privileges of her sex,
for the purpose Of avoiding the ducll-
css' garden party, where she knew sle
would meet Mr.. Maclane. Not that
she had taken sudden dislike to the
young man. or had resolved upon u
breach Of their engagement; but her
volatile mind had discovered a novel
and pleasant indecision, which is the
cream of excitement in the life of a
young lady of fashion. It was nearly
as enticing as the tasting of some for
hidden fruit. Lady Evelyne knew that
her duty bound her to Mr.. AIaclane,
and that no image but his should OBJ
trude itself on her waking thoughts.
There was something spicily charming
about feeling a kind of stolen affection
for one man, while. in promise, bound
to another, which pleased Lady
Evelyne, and made her fingers tingle
with nearly voluptuous sensation.
The marchioness was already waiting
In the drawing room, dressed for the
garden party, when her daughter was
still In the dining room, conversing
with her father about matters for
which, at any other time, she would
have evinced not the slightest interest,
and the details and particulars Of which
she now seemed most anxious to ac-
quire. Lady Gwendale was patient
lady, and we'll accustomed to her daugh-
ter's foibles. When she found that
Lady Evelyne had made no prepara-
tons whatever for the functions Of the
afternoon, she ordered her carriage and
drove away alone.
Evelyne was happy when she found
that her strategy was successful. She
skipped up stairs to her own room, aud
threw herself into an arm chair, where
she could look out upon the lawn and
the green trees beyond, and lose her
self In a delightful reverie, while her
maid brushed and kept on brushing her
luxuriant hair. 1t seemed enhancing
to her to abandon herself to this day
dream, and full hour or more passed
before the young lady was aware of the
efhuxton OF time. Even then it was
only message from Lord Gwendale
which brought her to q sense of the
everyday commonplace. My lord, being
for the once particularly pleased with
his daughter, sent up to know II she
would accompany him in a walk
through the park. It had been so long
since the marquis had thus honored her
that she accepted the invitation with
alacrity, and the balmy summer after
noon saw the pair among the crowd Of
promenaders by the side Of the Row.
Lord Gwendale had never been a very
or the world of fashion. His inclina-
lions were purely scientific, and his
habits modest and retiring; therefore,
he was not as we'll known as his rank
might have warranted. Yet, many a
hat was lifted in respectful ceremony,
and many a courteous acknowledge
ment greeted my lord and his daughter
as they passed along.
The shady gravel walk was not as
full Of its habitual aristocratic throng
as 1t would have been had not the big
garden party, and an equally attractive
fancy fair, claimed the attention of
many votaries of fashion. Unlike her
father, Lady Evelyne boosted of large
circle OF acquaintances, and, though she
IN find lS1v&v IT.
to indulge in the musings which had
proved SO pleasant to her earlier in the
day, her attention was now fully Occu-
pied in saluting and returning salutes.
She stopped to exchange few words
with my Lady This, or to ask q ques-
ton or two of my Lady That; or, again,
to talk banali+ with the young Lord
So-and-So, while a continuous smile
played around her pretty lips. Under
the influence of this airy occupation
her previous purpose vanished into
thin haze, and was momentarily forgot
ten, when, on sudden, at the sight of
a young gentleman who was leaning
against the ratings, Lady Evelyne's
face turned pale, and her heart went
pit-a-pat in an alarum which, whether
it was painful or pleasant, the young
lady knew not.
It was handsome face, bronzed by
the sun, and two or three scars gave It
a peculiar charm without dfsiguring it.
The bright, dark eyes, flashed in ami
mated conversation with a gentleman
whom Lady Evelyne did not know.
while the brown, nervous hand twirled
a small, dark mustache with uncon-
scious dandyism.
Lady Evelyne looked the gentleman
straight in the face, but he gave no
signs Of recognition, and continued an
apparently agreeable converse. Lady
Evelyne's fingers frightened and her
breath became tardy. She nervously
gripped her fathers arm.
"Look there" she whispered, surely
that Is Herbert Chauncey?'
My lord put up his double eyeglasses
and stared at the young man, who
avoided the old nobleman's glance with
well bred ease. Lord Gwendale did not
yhn+ IN -