The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-04-03
CHAPTER x1.

Nearly month had elapsed since
the operation was performed on
Herbert, and the great surgeons
predictions of success had been
amply justified. The wound had
closed again, and healthy flush was
spreading over the previously pale
face.
For nearly month the young man
had not seen soul except Sir William
or his attendant; he had not set eyes
OH a book or newspaper; he had writ
ten no letters, nor received any. Not
a disturbing sound Of the outer world
had penetrated to his place of self
appointed confinement, and whether
he were north, east, west, or south of
London he knew not.
AS his bodily strength increased, the
traces of his once-lost mental faculty
returned. Scenes Of his childhood that
had been shrouded as by O dark veil
shot into the light Of memory with
refreshing sweetness He again re-
membered his father, of whose ap-
pearancet he had retained no recollec-
ton, and the kindly, lovely face Of
his dead mother smiled at him again.
He remembered the gladstone days at
Chauncey Towers. his boyish galnbols,
his intercourse with lads Of his own
age, and over all beamed the cOntented
approval Of happy mother. Then
came his school days. his combats at
Eaton, and his youthful love for the
pretty girl who had since blossomed
into the stately Lady Evelyne.
The evening would close with some
such recollection as this, and though
the effort fatigued the still weak brain
just a trifle, he would be glad to wake
in the morning refreshed by the men,
cries which had been after a fashion
newly born to him.
There was nothing in his surround
ings which could possibly induce his
mind to tire itself by undue efforts;
but, bit by bit, fragments of his past
life sprang upon him as If from hidden
ambushes Of the soul-some agreeable
others less so. He remembered the
rolltcking, registering Of his univer-
sity Of che days that followed. Then
came the memory Of his disgrace with
his parents, and with the parents of
Lady Eveyyne, Of his journey to the
West, and Of his struggles and wand.
erings there.
All this welled like a limpid stream
cool and refreshing. There was lit2e
that Jared, and but here and there q
sad memory left q darkish spot upon
an otherwise fair page.
He had been thinking Of Lady Eve
lyne-what o handsome wife she
would make what q distinguished
sharer Of his honors and Of his titles
o partner in life to be proud Of. YET
there was something that failed Il
touch his heart about her image. She
seemed cold and Eighty, and her pro
fessions were thin rs air, very but
terfy Of thoughtless buoyancy; q beau
tiful moth whose wings might be tori
and soiled by rough touch.
He thought that he liked Lady Eve
lyme, and he remembered that hil
boyish fancy had gone straight out t,
her and had thought her the one won
an In the world with whom he nigh
be happy.
He remembered how, during man,
q dark, bleak night on the prairies
her picture had shone upon him In hi
dreams like q beacon Of flaming hon
to guide him to derring-do. It was
beautiful picture, but it's beauty wa
marble, white and cold.
Then another face would dawn upo,
him in the haze Of his enwrappir,
dreams. A rosy, pretty, lovable, kiss
able face, with pouting cherry lipl