The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-06-18

CHAPTER u.-(CoNTINUED).
cit wants to get at Eliza" said the
youth, in a confidential whisper. "Mas-
ter says she would give him more'n he
brought" He smiled affably at the two
little stiff black figures, and departed
In search of his mistress
"What-what did he say?" gasped
Bertha.
Something about a Oh, goodness
gracious! Oh, help, help, help. help
help!' The two sisters had bounded on
to the settee, and stood there with star
ing eyes and skirts gathered in. while
they filled the whole house with their
yells. Out of high wicker work basket
which stood by the fire there had RISEN
= fiat, diamond-shaped head With
wicked green eyes which came flicker
ing upwards, waving gently from side
to side, until foot or more of glossy,
:scaly neck was visible. Slowly the vi
cious head came floating up, while at
every oscillation fresh burst Of shrieks
came from the settee.
-'What in the name Of mischief!
cried a voice, and there was the mis-
tress Of the house standing in the door
way. Her gaze at first had merely TAX
standing screaming upon her red plush
sofa. A glance at the fireplace. how
ever, showed her the cause Of the ter
laughter.
:misbehaving again."
'tI'll settle her. answered masculine
voice. and the young man dashed into
T. 80 !,
in his hand, which he threw over the
basket. making it fast with piece of
Irvine so as to effectually imprison Its
tnbate, while his aunt ran across to re-
assure her visitors.
ut is only a rock snake" she ex-
dained.
''Oh, Berthaw ooh, Monica" gasped
the poor exhausted gentlewomen.
''She's Matching out some eggs. That
Is why we have the fire. Eliza always
does better when she is warm. She is a
sweet, gentle creature, but no doubt she
thought that you had designs upon her
eggs. suppose that you did not touch
any of them?"
"Oh. let us get away, Bertha!" cried,
Monica, with her thin, black-gloved
hands thrown forward in adherence.
Mot away, but into the next room"
said Mrs. Westmacott, with the air of
. one whose word was law. This way. If
you please! 1t is less warm here" She
led the way into very handsomely APP
pointed library, with three great cases
Of books, and upon the fourth side
long, yellow table Uttered over with
papers and scientific instruments. "Sit
here, and you there" she continued.
THAT Is right. Now let me see. which
OF you Is Miss Williams and which Miss
Bertha Williams?"
Ell am Miss Williams" said Monica,
still palpitating, and glancing furtive-
II about in dread of some new horror.
''And you live. as understand. over
1T the pretty little cottage. 1t is very
nice Of you to call so early. don't sup
pose that we shall get on, but still the
Intention is equally good, She crossed
her legs and leaned her back against
the marble mantelpiece.
'sWe thought that perhaps we might
be Of some assistance" said Bertha,
timidly. "If there is anything which we
could do to make you feel more at
home"
ooh, thank you, am too old trav-
4ler to feel anything but at home where
ever I go. I've just come back from a
few months in the Marquesas Islands,
where I had very pleasant visit. That
vas where got Eliza. In many respects
the Marquesas Islands now lead the
world"
Dear me" calculated Miss Williams.
I'm what respect?"
I'm the relation Of the sexes. They
have worked out the great problem
upon their own lines. and their iso-
hated geographical position has helped
them to come to a conclusion Of their
own. The woman there is. as she
should be, in every way the absolute
equal Of the male. Come in, Charles.
and sit down. Is Eliza all right?"
"AM right, aunt"
'"These are our neighbors, the Misses
Williams. Perhaps they will have some
stout. You might bring in couple Of
bottles. Charles"
''No. no, thank you! None for us!'
cried her two visitors. earnestly.
s'No? am sorry that I have no tea
TO offer you. look upon the subservi-
ency Of woman as largely due to her
abandoning nutritious drinks and invig-
Grating exercises to the male. I do
neither" She picked up a pair Of fif-
-teen-pound dumb-bells from beside the
fireplace and swung them lightly about
her head. "You see what may be done
ON stout" said she.
| "But don't you think" the elder Miss
Williams suggested timidly, don't you
think, Mrs. Westmacott, that woman
has mission Of her .own?"
The lady Of the house dropped her
'dumb-bells with crash upon the floor.
''The old can't" she cried. ''The old
'ehibboleth! What is this mission which
lis reserved for woman? All that is hum
bic. that is mean, that is soul-killing.
that is SO contemplate and SO ill-paid
that none other will touch It, All that
is woman's mission. And who imposed
these limitations upon her? Who
.cooped her up within this narrow
sphere? Was it Providence? Was It
nature? No, 1T was the arch' enemy.
1t was man., ~. ,,.e- ~. :.
ooh. say, ;auntie!" :: draMied: her
"1t was man. Charles. 1t was you
and your fellows. I say that woman
Is colossal monument to the selfish
.Peks OF man. Whct IL all this boosted