The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-03-26
CHAPTER v.-(CoNr1xuED).

PkSSSAuS uer Closely, ana lfleO 10 ulS.s
able him by a straighter thrust.
II don't suppose you are blind fol-
lower even Of Lord Glamorgan," she
said to Dick; "you probably do not wish
the emperor released?"
IT would not benefit him If I did,"
he replied; "but am sorry for him IL
he suffers as they say"
This was worse than ever for Dick,
ana the colonel was prompt to seize
the opportunity.
''He does indeed suffer-" he said. "It
y our greatest grief, for Madame de
Aontaut is entirely devoted to him."
my DEVOTION" retorted Camilla. al
most Indignantly. sis natural enough:
but the loyalty that binds me can have
10 hold upon an Englishman."
There are more kinds Of loyalty than
sne," returned her imperturbable an
eagonist. IT. for instance, am loyal TO
the emperor, not only as Frenchman.
o0t even more strongly from my loyalty
10 you, who have made his cause your
'oWn; and this, or something like it,
may conceivably be the case with 9TH
era"
Camilla looked unutterable scorn.
Capt. Estcourt." she said, turning to
him with bow full Of graceful mock
cry at her own question, will you, as
2 kindness to me, carry the emperor or
erom st. Helena?"
Dick was relieved at her apparent re-
turn to lighter mood. II can hardly
undertake to go so far myself" he res
oiled laughing: you had better COM
0ission my friend tombstone, the snug
ger. to do 1t for you"
tGood!" exclaimed the colonel, join-
ting in the laugh with the loud tone of
enc who wishes to emphasize Jest.
Capital advice. Camilla, and you can't
10 better than follow It,"
She did not for the moment grasp
Ills intention in saying this. and made
20 reply beyond a distrustful glance.
Dick. meantime; had been looking at
ets watch. and now held out his hand.
T am afraid" he said. "that must be
going home; have trespassed too long
upon your kindness. and the doctor
said must be in by sunset"
Zone moment" said Camilla. hoping
10 gain an instant's privacy in which
% give him some kind Of warning.
Stay moment: Col. de Montaut viii
scder the carriage for you.''
TT is at the door," replied the colonel.
and he bowed Dick out before him, and
followed him downstairs.
Camilla heard the front door close
and the carriage drive away. "A long
stlence followed. The colonel had evil
IDENTIFY gone to the length Of accom-
eanying Dick to his own lodging. The
mischief might be done by this time,
and here she sat powerless to prevent
It. She fretted under the thought at
drst, and her indignation chafed her in
the absence Of an object upon which to
spend itself: but at last 1t seemed to
have worn itself out for a time, ana she
tell into q quieter mood.
All the same she started guilty when
the door opened almost without q
sound. There stood the colonel. like
some willy emissary Of evil: following
90 his calculated opportunity at the
most deadly moment Of weakness.
He appeared to have entirely forgot
ten his late struggle with her. In his
'aand was an open letter, which he held
up to her view.
'-I have just heard" he said, from
Carnac. who has received letter from
St Helena"
She held out her hand for It.
you are tired" he said; II will read
It to you. Be prepared, for It is far
from pleasant hearing and he began
II once:
The letter-or. at any rate, his read
ing of it-ran as follows:
My Dear M. de Montaut: A packet
dispatched from st: Helena at the end
1e January contains the following mel
ancholy intelligence In the cipher Of
Gen. Bertrand: The emperor, having
Suffered severely in health from want
e active occupation. on Jan. % re-
Sumed his riding exercise. after an in
teEmision OF two years. The effect OF
ea,as violent change Of habit was un-
Happily the reverse Of beneficial, and he
rs been more or less PROSTATE for q
week past"
The colonel looked at Camilla. and
went on more slowly:
His majesty has become subject to
Its Of profound depression, which are
die despair Of his physicians. He BIT
ferly declares himself deserted and be-
frayed. and his reproaches are terrible
to hear. He talks openly Of commit
ting his lat wishes to paper"
In her agitation at this news Camilla
forgot everything else. "oh, moi" she
:ried. clasping her hands as though TO
-eutreat the cruel fates. I'VE shall be
u time: we must. we must!,
I'VE must!" he echoed gloomily; "they
expect US on the 9Th Of May"
"And when do we start?"
Before the beginning Of April: we
Aave hardly more than q week left in
.1hich to gather our forces for this hnal
attempt" gfi aasF / ,
She was silent. and seemed unwilling
to venture further into the region Of
.1etail.
'"The vessel u All but ready, con-
:tinued the colonel; "a mixed crew can
. collected In day or two ct Deal or
s. paused. a. IL expecting /. question
6Om her: but she was still silent. and
- went on again.