The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-02-26
CHAPTER I.-CoNr1NuEp)


so honor me. and thank you in all sin
certify for your homage. But you have
acted in this without due considera-
lion"
He would have spoken, but she raised
her hand to check him.
-you did not reflect that we have
not. between US. all that should go to
the making Of q marriage. You have a
mans strength Ind faith, an honorable
name. a career Of promise-it is much
to bring; have beauty, wealth, and a
high spirit: these, too, perhaps. are
worth something; you love me. and
there is I dare be sworn, no reason why
: I should not love you. But where in
all this is the string that binds the posy
.together-where is the guarantee Of our
tranquil and continued friendship after
ward? I sometimes think" she con-
tinued, "that an intimacy OF lifetime
ds scarcely enough to warrant such
risk; and you and have but q yester-
days acquaintance on which to found
such perilous hopes"
He raised his head. "I have known
you for three months" he said. land all
else on EARTH"
All that time in TRUTH" she an
Twered; "but Of what have you been
thinking in the thirty years before?
do not know. have ridden and danced
with you. have sung and laughed
with you; know your favorite actor
and the minister in whom you believe;
but Of yourself how little!
II am afraid there is little more to
Know" he said. II am like most other
men. But If you would set sny great
love against my deficiencies the scales
might not weigh SO uneven as with
some"
II believe sincerely" she replied,
that you love meas you know me;
but fear I cannot say, like you, that
am Of the common type Of my sex;
my beliefs. my hopes, my work in life
are all singular; the very circumstances
OF my birth and nationality are unusual
though you hear 1t now for the first
time. So. Capt. Estcourt," she con-
tfnued, rising to her feet. ''you see that
I'm your haste you have asked woman
to become your wife who, for all that
you know. has nothing in common with
you but the lighter feelings and more
trivial interests Of life."
He bent his head and said nothing
for time. She looked at him little
remorsefully.
els it good-by. them" he said, slowly,
like man awaking from sleep.
She reflected. looking downward in
her turn.
II will grant you this" she said, land
remember that 1t is no more and no less
than would do for any man of honor.
= will make no change for what has
happened tonight; will meet you, II
chance 80 orders 1t, upon the old terms;
but you shall promise me one thing in
return" She paused for his assent.
II promise blindfold," he said. "for
the first time in my life"
She nodded approval. '"Then I have
your word" she said. "that you too
will make no change in your career;
that you will follow your fortune where
ever and whenever 1t calls you without
allowing thoughts Of me to hold you
back"
''It is hard" he said, "for have to-
might been promised an immediate COM
mand."
But you have given me your word
She held out her hand to him as she
spoke; he stopped and kissed 1t in 81.
lence.
Come" enc said. IT hear the music
beginning; this is my last Dance"
They passed down the staircase with
out another word, and entered the ball
room once more. To Estcourt the dance
was even more Of dream than the first
one had been. To the thrilling influence
OF her beauty and her touch there was
added that regretful consciousness of
tho inevitable end which makes the
peaceful melancholy Of autumn and
gives the last perfection of pathos to
tie deep eyes Of passion.
II he na,l felt himself favored of the
gods before. he was now conscious, in
his exalted state, of an even greater
dignity-that given by the heroic endur-
ance Of great misfortune. Among
the phantoms that fitted around him.
9tbbering Of their unreal joys, he moved
I'm kind Of funeral triumph, as one
with the grandeur of a tragic doom up
on him. The whirling dance was the
chaos of eternity, and the music filled
It with exquisite sadness.
But now the measure rose sobbinR to
a final ecstasy. and lapsed again. and
died slowly away upon single note.
He found himself standing by the door,
with the colonel's bland figure in front
of him.
IF you will pardon me-" the latter
was saying. 1T is time for me to take
my stster-in-law home; unless" he con-
tinued. with a courteous gesture, "you
are free to enjoy that privilege your
SELF
Estcourt turned to his partner.
could not think Of 1t" she said;
but perhaps Capt. Estcourt will attend
me while you get your hat and cloak"
He gave her his arm; the colonel
bowed and disappeared. In three min
Ntes she was ready. muffled to the
throat In furs and satin, like the moon
among feecy. silver-lined clouds. Est
court took her to her carriage, and they
waited moment for the colonel.
You have never even told me your
0ame." she said.