The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-07-02

h $50 and across country in 500. but
how Is that to help me? might be
cricket professional, but 1t is not very
dlsnified position. Not that I care
straw about dignity, you know, but
-Nhould not like to hurt the old ladys
feelings"
"Your aunt's?"
Eyes. my aunt's. My parents were
Killed In the mutiny. you know, when
was baby. and she has looked after
me ever since. She has been very good
to me. I'm sorry to leave her"
but why should you leave herr"
They had reached the garden gate, and
The girl leaned her racket upon the top
Ct 1t. looking up with grave interest at
her big, white-danneled companion.
Its Browning" said he.
-.~Whatw
Don't tell my aunt that said IT,
he sank his voice to whisper-'I hate
Browning"
Clara Walker rippled off into such
merry peal Of laughter that he forgot
the evil things which he had suffered
from the poet, and burst out laughing
too.
II can't make him out" said he. II
Try, but he is one too many. No doubt
e u very stupid Of me; don't deny 1t.
But as long as cannot there is no use
pretending that I can. And then, Of
course. she feels hurt, for she is very
fond of him, and likes to read him
aloud In the evenings. She is reading a
piece now, 'Pippa Passes,' and I assure
you. Miss Walker, that I don't even
know what the title means. You must
think me q dreadful fool
~But surely he is not so incompre-
hensible as all that?" she said, as an
attempt at encouragement.
HE is very bad. There are some
; things. yon know. which are fine. That
ride Of the three Dutchmen. and Herve
Rtel and others. they are all right. But
. there was a piece we read last week.
The first line stumped my aunt, and 1t
takes a good deal to do that, for she
rides very straight. 'Setebos and Sete-
hos and Setebos.' That was the line."
1T sounds like a charm"
mo, It Is a gentleman's name. Three
gentlemen. I thought, at first. but my
aunt says one. Then he goes on. Think
eth he dwelleth in the light Of the
moon 1t was very trying piece"
Clara Walker laughed again.
'sYou must not think Of leaving your
aunt" she said. think how lonely she
would be without you"
well, yes, have thought Of that.
But you must remember that my aunt
Is to all intents hardly middle-aged, and
q very eligible person. don't think that
her dislike to mankind extends to in
dividuals. She might form new ties. and
then should be third wheel in the
coach. 1t was all very well as long as
was only a boy, when her first husband
was alive"
But, good gracious, you don't mean
= that Mrs. Westmacott is going to marry
"again?" gasped Clara.
The young man glanced down at her
With a question in his eyes. ooh. it is
only a remote possibility, you KNOW"
said he Still, of course, 1t might hap
pen, and I should like to know what
ought to turn my hand to-"
''I wish could help you," said Clara.
~But really know very little about
such things. However, I could talk to
my father, who knows a very great
deal Of the world"
II wish you would. I should be so glad
= e you would"
"'Then I certainly will. And now
must say good night, Mr.. Westmacott.
for papa will be wondering where
am
GOOD night. Miss Walker" He
:pulled of his flannel cap, and stalked
away through the gathering darkness.
Clara had imagined that they had
been the last on the lawn. but, looking
tack from the steps which led up to the
French windows, she saw two dark
figures moving across toward the
house. AS they came nearer she could
distinguish that they were Harold Den
yer and her sister Ida. The murmur
Il their voices rose up to her ears, and
then the musical little childlike laugh
which she knew so well. II am SO de-
lighted" she heard her sister say. $50
pleased and proud. had no idea Of It.
Your words were such surprise and
10Y to me. Oh, am so glad"
els that you. Ida?"
''Oh, there is Clara. must go in, Mr..
Denver. Good night"
There were few whispered words.
. laugh from Ida, and Good night,
Miss Walker. out of the darkness.
Clara took her sisters hand, and they
passed together through the long fold
ing window. The doctor had gone into
his study, and the dining-room was
empty. A single small red lamp upon
the sideboard was reflected tenfold by
the plate about it and the mahogany
beneath 1t, though its single wick cast
but a feeble light into the large, dimly
shadowed room. Ida danced off to the
big central lamp. but Clara put her
hand upon her arm. II rather like this
quiet light" said she. "Why should we
not have chat?" She sat in the doc
tors large red plush chair. and her
sister cuddled down upon the footstool
ut her feet. glancing up at her elder
with smile upon her lips and mis-
">chievous CLEAN in her eyes. There was
shade Of anxiety in Clara's face.
which cleared away as she gazed into
her sisters frank blue eyes,
Have you anything to tell me. dear:"
= she asked.
Ida gave Il little pout and shrug to
her shoulder. 1.-THE solicitor-general
then opened the case for the prosecu-
H>dsn." said she. "You are going to cross