The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-02-19
AERy NEN4lLE'

6YAEMRr .NEIXAN y
caught 1t. and looked at him with kind
ly interest.
III you are waiting for some one"
she said. "of course I will not trouble
you; good fortune to the brave!" and
she left him glowing with mingled con-
fusion and gratitude. She was far too
great lady to be curious, but all good
women Of her age are very naturally
interested in young romance; and it
Is not astonishing that she found time
now and again to glance in Estcourt's
direction.
For long while he did not change
his position. and she began to fear that
ne was doomed to disappointment. But
at last there was a stir near the door,
and she hurried forward to receive the
new guests.
An elderly dowager in green satin,
and equity old nobleman in star and
spectacles hobbled in and paid brace
OF homely compliments. AS they passed
on, Lady Glamorgan glanced back
over her shoulder, and saw to her sur
prise that Estcourt was coming for
ward through the crowd with look
OF relief upon his face.
The Mtlbricks?" she asked herself.
what can the man be thinking Off"
But as he drew nearer she saw that
his eyes ignored this absurd old couple,
and were fixed intently upon some one
beyond. She turned to the door once
more. just in time to welcome a very
different pair. A gentleman with IRON
nd
red ribbon across his plain evening
dress. was plotting lady through the
throng that blocked the entrance, with
a courtesy and adroitness that con-
spicuously distinguished him from all
around.
AS for the lady, whoever looked upon
her turned to look again. She was fully
as tall as her companion, but scarcely
more than half his age; her dark-blue
eyes flashed fearlessly upon all they
met; her lips were red with life and
curved with the pride and laughter of
youth; the slight flush Of her marvellous
complexion and the spring of her step
reused the beholder's pulse in sympathy
with her splendid vitality. Her dress
was OF white and gold, scarcely less
brilliant than herself; round her neck
ana on her brow were diamonds, and
sne wore them lightly, like q queen.
AM! murmured the countess to her.
self, astshe came forward, cit is Madame
DE Montaut; prize taken from the
enemy! understand. but it is bold
game for SO quiet q man."
She shook hands with her guests and
retreated little to watch their meet
ing with this audacious young captain
1t was evident at once that he was al
ready in favor with Col. de Montaut nj
any rate; the lady too. after q few mo.
ments' talk between the three, accepted
Estcourt's arm and continued her pro.
gress down the room.
"A quadrille was Just ending; in an.
other moment the dancers would be-iis.
persing, two and two, in all directions
to the seats and more secluded corners
Estcourt led his partner across to the
farther door; there she stopped him and
turned to look at the dance. Her eyes
sparkled, and her foot began to beat
time upon the floor.
Splendid" she cried; II long to b.
one Of them myself!
His brow contracted slightly. "Don',
you think" he suggested, a little timid
~, that we had better choose our seat.
before the rush comes?"
"Oh, no. thank you," she replied
laughing. 81 shall not need a seat 70,
long time yet; we have only Just ar
rived. But perhaps you have been her,
longer and are tired of dancing al
ready?"
II have been here an hour or more.
he replied. "but have not been dane
, Ing"
"And pray, IL may ask, for wha
other purpose did you come so early?'
This dtrectness confused him. q
got here too soon," he said, land ha,
to wait outside by the abbey"
: Where, Of course, you could no
dance?" she interrupted, mischievously
."And even then was almost tn,
first here" he continued; "and-and-'
And so you resolved to dance onl,
with the latest conner. by way, sup
: pose. Of striking the balance right?"
He pulled himself together, and mad
} an effort to play his part in the game
Balance or not" he said, earnestly
II resolved to dance only with the lat
est conner. II she should be Madame d.
Montaut."
. "And SO you SHALL" she answere,
merrily. as the dancers broke Off From
their first figure and made for the doc
III pdITSs that 1Ss AS soon as these poo
things have rested; in the meantime lie
. US walk in the empty room till the,
come back"
She took his arm once more, and he
touch seemed to send tremor throug!
him from head to foot; they steppe,
: forward into the great ballroom. hum
with mirrors and gaily colored flags
: and brilliant with a thousand light
that threw a dazzling sheen upon tn
broad expanse Of polished floor. Sh
, talked with animation, and he answere,
) almost mechanically: the intoxicatiol
!. Of pride mounted to his head an,
Z numbed his senses as he made his tri
! umphal progress before the eyes of tn
, elder ladies on the dais. the long lin
: Of dancers sitting out against the walls
| and the herd Of solitary men standing
/ each with folded arms. at the bottom
Of the room. Their whispers reache
him with faint incense, and he scarcel
e knew himself for a mortal like the rest
B91St. n0yxv tho ho~ o<u,,ol> ,,,, oro T.,