The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-04-09

!EMY
HIHENRY NEM1lEz
on look Of dismay and disappoint-
ment.
''If you think it will fall" he said,
perhaps 1t would be better not to do
it by writing at ALL"
Camilla smiled, butmade no answer
beyond q shrug Of indifference.
Il might put It to him in words Of
the same plain fashion," he suggested,
Il have made an appointment with him
FOR IL o'clock tomorrow morning, at
Great Russell street; at least, left q
verbal message asking him to meet US.
and I've no doubt that he'll be there. %
She looked up as though she did not
quite follow him.
II could ask Carnac and Rabodanges
to come too. he explained, land then
take the opportunity to bring the
scheme before him while we are all to-
gether."
She was upon the point of vehemently
rejecting this proposal, but two consid-
erattons made her pause. She could not
but long to witness such scene as the
confused route Of her brother-in-law
and his allies. and she foresaw, in the
second place, that she might be able,
II present at the interview, to show
Dick afterward that so shameful pro-
posal had not been made to him by any
wish Of hers.
At 10 the next morning the colonel
slipped from the house unobserved, and
by 1880 he was posted at the northern
end Of the street In which Dick was
lodging; his eyes were fixed on the door
of the latter's house, but he kept him.
self completely out Of sight.
He had not been watching three min
utes when the door opened, Dick came
out, and turned down the street In the
opposite direction.
Il thought he'd be early" murmured
the colonel to himself; "and don't
think there's much fear Of his coming
back!"
He waited until his unconscious
quarry had disappeared round the
southern corner, and then FASTENED to
the house. He rang the bell and a serv-
ant appeared.
rs Captain Estcourt in?"
mo. sir; he's just gone OUT"
do you suppose he'll be long?"
shouldn't think SO, sir; but he didn't
say
The colonel looked troubled.
will you leave your name. sir?'' in
quired the maid.
Il think" replied the visitor. "that I
had better go to Captain Estcourt's
room and write note for him. My busi-
ness is rather important, and I can't
very well call again."
The girl opened the door wider and
showed him upstairs; placed paper and
ink before him, and waited by the door.
The colonel wrote an exact copy Of the
letter he had shown to Camilla, only
adding as the place Of rendezvous "No,
9 Great Russell street." and I'll o'clock
on Saturday morning, March 2lth," as
the time. Then he asked for sealing
wax and taper. fastened up the let
ter with elaborate care. and handed it
to the attendant maid. She placed It
on the mantelpiece and went toward the
door to show him down the stairs out
OF the house. He followed her down a
few steps. and then stopped. with an
exclamation. Il have left my gloves
behind!" and he ran back before she
could offer to go for him. He returned
in an instant, but in that instant he had
broken the newly made seal. opened
the letter. folded 1t simply without
fastening, and tossed 1t carelessly down
again upon the mantel-piece.
BE sure" he said, as he passed out,
that Captain Estcourt reads my note
directly he comes home. think you
said that would not be long?"
mo. sir. not long. expect" And
she closed the door behind him.
He hurried to his own house, to find
Camilla waiting for him and the car
riage at the door.
I'VE are late" she said; at is Just
upon II now
II am sorry" he replied: IT have been
round to Estcourt's rooms: he might
as well have driven down with us; but
he was not in, and could not wait any
longer"
She made no further remark, and they
started at once. On arriving at the
house they found Dick upon the door
step. Camilla, who was dreading the
decisive moment more and more. took
comfort at the sight Of his open smile
and frank eyes. and unconsciously put
more warmth than usual into her vel.
come. The colonel, too. greeted him
with ELUSIVE cordially, and seemed to
take his presence as a personal favor.
I'VE are 20 very glad" he said, as
they entered the house together, "that
you have been able. to. Join us. /
thought You would myself. and, in.
deed. I2said 80 to Madame de Montaut.
but she seemed uncertain about it,
How could you doubt it," said Dick,
turning 10 Camilla, with tender re-
proach. And he added. lowering his
voice: Surely you know that would
give up anything TO go with you any
where
The colonel laughed softly to himself,
and examined q picture with great at
tention. The other two passed into the
dining room. He did not follow them,
but stayed behind to receive NM. Car
nae and Rabodanges. whom he was
momently expecting.
Dick Was In his 'happiest mood. and
II he did not care much about the pic
Il tllfQR Ak.aanv ratio ho <koro,,ot an.