The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-09-09

<SN would gladly have
<71kAA made some excuse
RPMsYE& to stay at home,
&yHVE but Mr.. Lorraine
would not hear Of
it, and at his earn
est request she consented.
"She is your best friend" said the
minister, land you must not offend
her."
'Very we'll, 1 will CO." answered
Marjorie; "but shall come home early
in the afternoon. She'll never ask me
to stay all night? If she does, can't
do it,"
"Why not, Marjorie?"
s'The Castles eerie enough at day.
time, but at night it's dreadful, and
Miss Hetherington creeps about like
q ghost. I'd sooner sleep out in the
kirkyard."
At a quarter before nine she started,
for she had three miles to walk, and
she wished to linger on the road,
which lay through pleasant country
pastures and among green lanes. The
morning was bright and clear, though
there were clouds to seward which
spoke of coming rain. Passing up
through the village, the way she had
come the previous day, she saw young
Sutherland standing at the gate of the
weaver's cottage.
"Goodmorning, Marjorie. Where
are you going to so early?"
10
Castle" she replied.
care you going to walk?"
eyes,"
"Then may 1 come with you piece
of the road?"
"Not today, Johnnie" she said,
nervously. I'm late, and must hurry
on"
The young man sighed, but did not
press his request. Troubled and vexed
at the meeting, Marjorie walked quick
ly away.
She followed the downward highway
till she came to the crossroads where
she had alighted from the wagonette.
Close to the cross-road there was a
stile, and she was about to step over,
when she heard a voice behind her.
Turning quickly she saw to her as
constituent the French teacher from
Dumfries
He was clad in a dark walking-s suit,
with broad-brimmed, wide-awake hat,
and was smoking cigar. He looked
at her smilingly, and raised his hat.
She thought he had never looked so
handsome, as he stood there in the
sunshine, with his pale face smiling
and his bright black eyes fixed eagerly
upon her.
Monsieur Caussidiere!" she cried in
establishment.
eyes, it is T." he replied in his sad,
musical voice. II have walked from
the town, and was going down to see
you"
''To see mel" she echoed.
eyes, mademoiselle and the good
man your guardian. You have spoken
Of him so often that longed to make
his acquaintance, and. having two idle
days before me. I came here, as you
behold"
Marjorie did not know what to say
or do, the encounter was so unexpected
She stood trembling and blushing in
such obvious embarrassment that the
Frenchman came to her relief.
"Do not let me detain you, if you
have an appointment. Or stay! per-
haps you will permit me to walk a
little way in your company"
And before she quite understood
what was taking place, he had lightly
leaped the stile and was handing her
over with great politeness. They
strolled along the foot-path side by
side. Suddenly Marjorie paused.
81 am going up to the Castle" she
said, land I shall not be back till the
afternoon. Do not let me take you out
of your way"
The Frenchman smiled and shrugged
his shoulders.
ooh! one way is to me as good Us
another" he exclaimed.
"But you said you wished to see Mr..
Lorraine?"
Precisely; but prefer your COM
pany, my child"
"He is at home now, and will be so
glad of some one to talk to-"
II see you want to get rid of me,
little one." said Caussidiere, paternally.
eff go will you promise to return
soon? Remember. I shall not depart
until you do return"
eyes, will promise" answered Mar
5orie. "I-1 would rather you did not
come any further"
"And wherefore, my child? Is NY
company so disagreeable?"
"No, monsieur; but the folk in this
place are aye talking, and if they saw
me walking with a strange gentleman
It would be all over the parish before
night, and then Miss Hetherington
would hear of it. and I should get no
peace"
And as she spoke she looked round
nervously, as if dreading an eye-wit-
ness.
.'Miss Hetherington! Pray, who is
she?"
'.The lady am going to see. She