The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-06

stepped close up TO me; ne said, IN his
quick rough way: Clara, am going
to the African coast. If I live, shall
come back promoted; and we both
know what will happen then He
kissed me. I half frightened, half
angry. Before could compose myself
to say word, he was out in the gar
den again-ho was gone! I ought to
have spoken, know. It was not hon.
orable, not kind toward him. You
can't reproach me for my want Of oour-
age and frankness more bitterly than
I reproach myself"
"My dear child, don't reproach you.
I only think you might have written
to him."
II did write"
"Plainly?"
eyes. I told him in so many words
that he was deceiving himself, and that
could never marry him.
plain enough, in all conscience:
Having said that, surely you are not TO
blame? What are you fretting about
now?"
Suppose my letter has never reached
him?"
''Why should you suppose anything
of the sort?"
What I wrote required an answer,
Lucy-asked for an answer. The an
swer has never come. What is the
plain conclusion? My letter has never
reached him. And the ATLANTA is ex-
pected back! Richard Wardour is re-
| turning to England-Richard Wardour
will claim me as his wife! You Won
dered just now if l really meant what
said. Do you doubt it still?"
Mrs. Crawford leaned back absently
in her chair. For the first time since
the conversation had begun, she let a
question pass without making a reply.
The truth is, Mrs. Crawford was think
ing.
She saw Clara's position plainly; she
understood the disturbing effect of it
on the mind of young girl. Still,
making all allowances, she felt quite
at loss, so far, to account for Clara's
excessive agitation. Her quick observ-
ing faculty had just detected that
Clara's face showed no signs uf relief.
now that she had unburdened herself
of her secret. There was something
clearly under the surface here-some-
thing of Importance, that still re-
manned to be discovered. A shrewd
doubt crossed Mrs. Crayford's mind.
and inspired the next words which she
addressed to her young friend.
my dear" she said abruptly, "have
you told me all?"
Clara started as if the question ter
rified her. Feeling sure that she had
the clue in her hand, Mrs. Crawford
deliberately repeated her question in
another form of words. Instead of an
swering, Clara suddenly looked I'D. AT
the same moment faint flush of color
appeared in her face for the first time.
Looking up instinctively on her side.
Mrs. Crawford became aware Of the
presence in the conservatory of young
gentleman who was claiming Clara as
his partner in the coming waltz. Mrs.
Crawford fell into thinking once more.
Had this young gentleman (she asked
herself) anything to do with the I'M
told end of the story? Was this the
true secret of Clara Burnham's terror
at the impending return of Richard
Wardour? Mrs. Clayford decided on
putting her doubts to the test.
"a friend of yours, my dear?" she
asked innocently. Suppose you in
troduce us to each other?"
Clara confusedly introduced the
young gentleman.
"Mr. Francis Aldersley, Lucy. Mr..
Aldersley belongs to the Arctic Ex-
petition"
Attached to the Expedition" Mrs.
Crawford repeated. Il am attached to
the Expedition too-in my Way. had
better introduce myself, Mr.. Aldersley.
as Clara seems to have forgotten to do
it for me. am Mrs. Crawford. NV
husband is Lieutenant Crawford of the
Wanderer. Do you belong to that
ship?"
Il have not the honor, Mrs. Crawford.
I belong to the Sea-Mew."
Mrs. Crayford's superb eyes Looked
snreWdly backward and forward be-
tween Clara and Francis Aldersley, and
saw the untold sequel to Clara's story.
The young officer was bright, hand
some, gentleman-like lad-just the per-
son to seriously complicate the diff
Guilty with Richard Wardour! There
was no time for making any further in
quiries. The band had begun the pre-
Jude to the waltz, and Francis Alder
sley was waiting for his partner. With
word of apology to the young man,
Mrs. Crawford drew Clara aside for a
moment and spoke to her in whisper.
Zone word, my dear, before you re-
turn to the ballroom. It may sound
conceited-after the little you have told
me-but think I understand your po-
sition now better than you do your
self. Do you want to hear my opin-
ion?"