The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-06-10
II have report TO MAKE. Sir. Thsre
has been az. sscident IN the ice.'

nave q report TO maze, slr. There
has been az: sscident IN the ice."
ITO one Of your aen?''
"No, sir. To one u our officers"
Wardour-on the point Of going out
paused when the quartermaster made
that reply. For a moment he consid-
cred with himself. Then he walked
slowly back to the part Of the room in
which Frank was standing. Crawford,
directing the quartermaster, pointed to
the arched doorway in the side Of the
hut.
II am sorry to hear Of the accident"
he said. "You will find Captain Held
ing in that room"
For the second time, with singular
persistency, Wardour renewed the con-
versation with Frank.
$50 you knew the Burnhams?" he
said. what became of Clara when her
father died?"
Franks face flushed angrily on the
instant.
"Clara?" he repeated. what au-
thorizes you to speak of Miss Burn
ham in that familiar manner?"
Waldour seized the opportunity of
quarreling with him. what right
have you to ask?" he retorted coarsely.
Franks blood was up. He forgot his
promise. to Clara to keep their engage
ment secret-he forgot everything but
the unbridled insolence of Wardour's
language and manner.
"a right which I insist on your re-
specting," he answered. "The right Of
being engaged to marry her."
Crayford's steady eyes were still on
the watch, and Wardour felt them on
him. A little more, and Crawford
might openly interfere. Even War
dcur recognized, for once, the necessity
of controlling his temper, cost him
what it might. He made his apologies
with overstrained politeness, to Frank.
Impossible to dispute such right
as yours" he said. Perhaps you will
excuse me when you know that I am
one of Miss Burnham's old friends. My
father and her father were neighbors
We have always met like brother and
sister,"
Frank generously stopped the apol-
ogy there. "Say no more" he inter-
posed. Il was in the wrong-I lost
my temper. Pray forgive me-"
Wardour looked at him with a
strange reluctant interest while he was
Speaking. Wardour asked an extraor-
binary question when he had done.
SIS she very fond of you?"
Frank burst into laughing. "My dear
fellow" he said, "come to our wedding
and judge for yourself"
Come to your wedding?' AS he
repeated the words Wardour stole one
glance at Frank, which Frank (em-
rloyed in buckling his knapsack) failed
to see. Crawford noticed it-and Cray
ford's blood ran cold. Comparing the
words which Wardour had spoken to
him while they were alone together,
with the words that had just passed
in his presence, he could draw but one
conclusion. The woman whom War
deur had loved and lost was-Clara
Burnham. The man who had robbed
him of her was Frank Aldersley. And
Wardour had discovered it in the in
terval since they had last met. THANK
God!" thought Crawford, "the dice have
parted them. Frank goes with the
expedition; and Wardour stays behind
with me-"
The reflection had barely occurred to
him-Frank's thoughtless invitation to
Wardour had just passed his lips
when the canvas screen over the door
way was drawn aside. Captain Held
ing and the officers who were to leave
with the exploring party, returned to
the main room on their way out. See
ing Crawford, Captain Helding stopped
to speak to him.
ITO BE coNrINUED.)