The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-06-24


Lucy's newspaper and Clara's news
paper in his hand! Would both of them
do again to-day what both Of them had
done so often in the days that were
gone?
No! Mrs. Crawford removed the COW
er from her newspaper as usual. Clara
laid her newspaper aside unopened, on
the garden seat.
In silence Mrs. Crawford looked
where she always looked, at the COL
umn devoted to the latest intelligence
from foreign parts. The instant her
eye fell on the page she started with a
loud cry of joy. The newspaper fell
from her trembling hand. She caught
Clara in her arms. ooh, my darling!
NY darling! news of them at last"
Without answering, without the
slightest change in look or manner,
Clara took the newspaper from the
ground and read the top line in the
column, printed in capital letters.
THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.
She waited and looked at Mrs. Cray
ford. Can you bear it, Lucy" she
asked, elf read it aloud?"
Mrs. Crawford was too agitated to
answer in words. She signed impa-
tiently to Clara to go on. Clara read
the news which followed the heading
in capital letters. Thus it ran:
The following intelligence from St.
Johns, Newfoundland, has reached US
for publication: The whaling vessel
Blythewood is reported to have met
with the surviving officers and men of
the Expedition in Davis Strait. Many
are stated to be dead, and some are
supposed to be missing. The list of the
saved, as collected by the people of the
whaler, is not vouched for as being
absolutely correct, the circumstances
having been adverse to investigation
The vessel was pressed for time, and
the members Of the Expedition, all
more or less suffering from exhaustion,
were not in a position to give the
necessary assistance to inquiry. Fur
ther particulars may be looked for in
the next mail"
The list of the survivors followed,
beginning with the officers in the or
der of their rank. They both read the
list together. The first name was Cap
tain Helding. The second was Lieu
tenant Crawford.
There the wife's joy overpowered
her. After a pause, she put her arm
round Clara's waist, and spoke to her.
ooh, my love-" she murmured, ''are
you as happy as am? Is Franks name
there, too? The tears are in my eyes.
Read for mel can't read for myself"
The answer came, in still, sad tones:
Il have read as far as your husbands
name. l have no need to read further"
Mrs. Crawford dashed the tears from
her eyes, steadied herself and looked
at the newspaper.
On the list of survivors tile search
was in vain. Franks name was not
among them. On second list, headed
Dead or Missing" the two first. names;
that appeared were: Francis Aldersley.
Richard Wardour.
In speeches. distress and dismay
Mrs. Crawford looked at Clara. Had
she strength enough, in her feeble
health, to sustain the shock that had
fallen on her? Yes! She bore it with
strange unnatural resignation; she
looked, she spoke, with the sad self
possession OF despair.
II was prepared for it," she said. "I'
saw them in the spirit last night. Rich
ard Wardour las discovered the truth.
and Frank has paid the penalty with
his life-and I, alone am to blame"
She shuddered, and put her hand on
her heart. 1--WE shall not long be part
ed, Lucy; I shall go to him. He will,
not return to me-"
Those words were spoken with
calm certainty of conviction that was
terrible to- see. II have no more to
say" she added, after a moment. and
rose to return to the house. Mrs. Cray.
ford caught her by the hand, and forced
her to take her seat again.
(To. BIZ CoNTINUED.)
BRIDES SENSlRI TP0IlScEAI,