The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-09-30

purse and began examining Its con-
tents. Finding that the Frenchman
did not reply, she looked up and repeat
ed it.
"How muckle is Marjorie AMMAN ow-
ing We? Tell me that, if you please"
Nothing, Miss Hetherington," he re-
Piled
"Naething? Then Marjorie has paid
We already, maybe"
Eyes, she has paid me- returned
Caussidiere, quietly.
Naturally enough his manner had
changed, and his courteous smile had
given way to cold expression of
hauteur, tempered with gentle indig-
nation.
How muckle has she paid ye?" de-
manded the lady Of the castle.
"She has paid me-" answered the
Frenchman, with her sympathy, with
her sweet society. have not taken
money from her. shall never take it.
My labor, Miss Hetherington, has been
labor of love-"
The lady's eyes flashed, and putting
I'D her purse, she uttered an impatient
exclamation.
mae doubt" she cried. But from
this day forward your labor's done. I
have come here to pay you your hire,
and to tell you with my ain mouth that
Marjorie Annan's French lessons are
ended, and that If she needs MAR she'll
get them from another teacher"
| Caussidiere flushed angrily, but still
preserved his composure.
May l ask question, Miss Hether-
ington?"
IF you please"
you have to act on behalf of my dear
pupil? I don't ask out of mere Curl
osity; but you would oblige me by in
forming me if the young lady herself
has requested you to come here on so
peculiar an errand?"
"The young lady?-a BARN who kens
naething of the world"
But, pardon me, had you her au-
thority to dismiss me, or that of her
GUARDIAN"
''The bairn's BARN, and the minis
ter's old and foolish. I've ta'en the
business into my own hands,"
Indeed" exclaimed Caussidiere, still
sarcastically smiling.
cay, indeed" repeated the lady, with
growing irritation. @"And warn you,
once for a., to cease meddling with the
lassie. Ay, We may smile! But you'll
smile, maybe, on the wrong side of
your face, my friend. If We dinna TAX
the warning I bring We, and cease mo-
testing Marjorie AMMAN"
1t was clear that Caussidiere was
amused. Instead of smiling now, lie
laughed outright, still most politely, but
with self satisfaction which was very
irritating to his opponent. Subduing his
amusement with an effort, he quietly
took chair, and sat down opposite
Miss Hetherington.
"Weel," she cried, striking with her
staff upon the floor, whats your an
swer to my message?"
"You must give me little time, you
have so taken me by surprise. In the
first place, why do you object to my
friendship for the young lady? My in
terest in her is great; l respect and
admire her beyond measure. Why can
we not be friends? Why can not con-
tinue to be her teacher?"
"a bonny teacher! A Draw friend!
Do you think I'm blind?"
Il think" said Caussidiere, with a
hooking bow, that your eyes are very
wide open, Miss Hetherington. You
perceive quite clearly that 1 love Miss
Amman"
The lady started angrily.
WHAT" she cried.
II love her, and hope some day, with
your permission, to make her my
wife"
Trembling from head to foot, Miss
Hetherington started to her feet.
"Your wife," she echoed Jas if thun-
derstruck.
"Why not?" asked Caussidiere, calm
ly. Il am not rich, but am a gentle
man, and my connections are honor
able, assure you. Why, then, should
you distrust me so? If you will per-
NIT me, think can give you very
good reasons for approving of my union
with Miss AMMAN"
GLOW daur We think of it," cried Miss
Hetherington. Marry that BARN! ]
forbid We even to come near her, to
speak wi her again."
Caussidiere shrugged his shoulders
"Let us return, If you please, to where
we began. You have not yet informed
me by what right you attempt to inter-
fere with the happiness of my dear pu-
pill"
"By what right?"
Precisely. What may be the ma.
ture of your relationship with the
young lady?"
AS he spoke he fixed his eyes keenly
upon her, to her obvious embarrass-
ment. Her pale face grew paler than
ever.
| II am Marjorie Annan's friend" she
answered, after pause.
| !"Of that am aware, Miss Hethering-
ton. am aware also that you have
honn 1yorxy hind IN hor. <ho% NO., hoo.