The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-02-19
CHAPTER I.

! !; !
m T WAS A BRIGHT
frosty night toward
~ N the middle of
NGMIMM/{N March. The moon
%~WLZ had risen an hour
SkA&O ago, and hung like
NRHSlN round mirror of
IS@ - FURNISHED silver
AK close above the
e9M) " glittering stream
10~H Of Thames. as he
E9@ swept broadening
down to West
minister Bridge. The Abbey towers rose
sharply into the clear air. and caught
the moonlight full upon their heads. but
beneath them. on the farther side, lay
= wide region Of silent and mysterious
shadow. In the shadow paced the figure
Ct Q man. BY the slow and monotonous
regularity Of his footballs as he passed
backward and forward you might have
taken him for sentinel on guard. But
10 closer look, the long, high-collared
coat, the quaint and ample outline Of
his hat, and a certain balance in his
step betrayed the seafaring man, and
gave hint Of his rank. His figure and
the easy swing Of his movements pro-
claim him strong, but the obscurity con-
.cealed all other characteristics.
Up and down. up and down. he paced;
always the same measured step. al
ways the same distance to a yard. Moth
ing about him spoke Of impotence, and
yet he was evidently expecting some
one or something; for each time that
his beat ended at the angle Of the north
1rn tower he stopped. and looked first
10 the right across the deserted square
up to the entrance of Whitehall. and
then to the left, where, on the edge Of
st James Park, the lights Of Glamor-
gan House shone through q few gaunt
and leaf1ess trees.
For this was in 1921, and in 1921 Gla-
enorgan House was still standing. And
ton1ght It was especially in evidence.
for the open gates and the unwonted
illumination Of the garden court showed
plainly that some festivity was in prep
axation within.
Minute after minute passed, till sud-
denly from overhead came the deep
sound Of the clock striking the half
hour. At the same instant q carriage
rolled into the square. The watcher had
Just turned his back, and was retreat
ing for the fftieth time toward the
doorway Of the Abbey. when the vibra-
: ct the approaching hoofs and wheels
ten upon his ear. In a moment he was
hack at the corner Of the building,
where he stood motionless, with his
head thrown forward like dog strain
eng in the leash.
The carriage passed close before him,
wheeled of to the right. and disap-
peared into the court Of Glamorgan
House. He made a quick step forward
~ if to follow, but checked himself,
and stood for q moment irresolute.
While he was hesitating, a party Of
ladies muffled in opera cloaks and
ahawls, and attended by several gentle
men, crossed the road from the en-
trance Of Deans Yard, and took the
same direction as the carriage. The fig
ure in the shadow hesitated no longer,
but followed in their wake with long,
resolute strides He came up with long,
as they reached the portico and passed
into the cloak room with the gentlemen
OF the party. There coat and hat were
laid aside, and he stood revealed as an
0dicer Of the kings navy, wearing a
captains epaulettes upon very stall
Wart pair Of shoulders.
AS he entered Lord Glamorgan-a
tall, old man with bushy eyebrows and
. jovial red face-stepped in front and
shook him warmly by the hand. Then
putting a big hand upon his shoulder
With fatherly air. he wheeled him for
ward. and himself turned to face his
wife. "My DEAR" he said, with half
6ow, II present to you Capt Richard
Estcourt Of his majesty's ship -.
Well, well! Dick, which shall it be, eh ?'
His lordship had been lord of the
admiralty in the last ministry, and
though now for some time out Of office,
he retained perhaps exaggerated idea
Of his own influence in naval affairs.
Lady Glamorgan received the young
man with all the graciousness for which
she was deservedly popular. capt.
Estcourt." she said, lis slower to fol-
low an advantage on shore than at sea;
his reputation had been here long be-
fore him."
Estcourt flushed. II have been four
and three before that in America"
Since he had been almost the first in
the room, 1t seemed impossible that he
should miss the person for, whom he
was waiting; but when the stream OF
incomers had apparently ceased, and
Lady Glamorgan found time to leave
the door and look at the dancing, her
eye fell on him at once. still on guard
In his solitary corner. She came toward
him Immediately. bent on the hostess
.congenial duty Of introduction.
"Capt. Estcourt." she said. "you are
positively not dancing! A sailor too
.and at sea lords ball!'
"Pray do not trouble about me, Lady
Glamorgan." he replied: II am in nc
hurry to begin"
''No. MOI" she said. II must find you
some pretty craft at once; have good
patronage to bestow just now. and You
may choose between strong ally ol
. rich convoy. both making their first
voyage" .&a& a
His grave eyes lit up with smile in
answer to her playful tone. New
ships" he said. "are never lucky: I'd
rather have one taken from the en-.
X envy
There was an undertone Of unex.
dressed meaning in the words; she