The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-09-16


the village on some household errand,
quietly entered
Johnnie Sutherland's at the door.
Will you see him."
Marjorie started, for she had an in
stinctive dread of meeting between
the two young men; but the minister
at once replied:
"Show him in, Solomon" and as the
sexton disappeared, he said to his guest,
"a young friend Of ours, and school
fellow of my foster-daughter."
The next moment Sutherland APP
peared. A look of surprise passed over
his face as he saw the stranger, who
rose politely, but, recovering himself,
he shook the minister warmly by the
hands,
Welcome, Johnnie" said Mr.. Lor-
raine. Take a seat. Do you know
Monsieur Caussidiere? Then let me
introduce you"
Sutherland nodded to the French
man, who bowed courteously. Their
eyes met, and then both looked at Mar
jorie.
Monsieur Caussidiere is my French
teacher" she said smiling.
Sutherland looked somewha. puzzled,
and sat down in silence. After an awk-
ward pause, the minister began ques-
ences; he replied almost in monosyl-
tables, and was altogether so bashful
and constrained that Marjorie could
not avoid drawing an unfavorable COM
parison in her own mind between him
and the fluent Frenchman.
"An artist, monsieur" said the lat
ter, presently, having gathered the fact
from some of Mr.. Lorraine's questions
Il used to paint, when 1 was a boy
but, finding l could not excel, 1 aband-
oned the attempt. To succeed in your
profession is the labor of life, and,
alas! so many fail"
That's true enough" returned Suth-
erland, land when l see the great pic
lures, despair
'He paints beautifully, monsieur"
cried Marjorie, eager to praise her
friend. Does he not, Mr.. Lorraine?'
The minister nodded benignly.
"Ah, indeed" said Caussidiere, with
slight yawn. THE landscape, mon
sieur, or the human figure?"
81 have tried both," replied Suther-
land. 81 think I like figure painting
best"
Then you shall not go far to find a
subject" exclaimed Caussidiere. way
ing his hand toward Marjorie. "Ah, if
I were an artist, would like to paint
mademoiselle. have seen such face,
such eyes, and hair, in some of the Ma
donnas of the great Raphael"
Marjorie cast down her eyes, then
raised them again, laughing.
He has painted me, and more than
once; but I'm thinking he fattered the
sitter. Miss Hetherington has one OF
the pictures up at the Castle"
Caussidiere fixed his eyes suspicious
ly upon Sutherland.
do you work for pleasure, mon
sieur, or for profit? Perhaps you are
a man of fortune, and paint for amuse-
ment only?"
The question tickled the minister
who laughed merrily.
II am only a poor man." answered
Sutherland, land paint for my bread
sit is an honorable occupation" said
Caussidiere, emphatically, though not
without the suspicion of covert sneer
cat one time the artist was neglected
and despised; now he is honored for
his occupation, and can make much
money"
The conversation continued Nv fits
and starts, but Sutherlands appearance
seemed to have quite destroyed the gay
freedom of the little party. At last
Solomon reappeared and grim,y an
nounced that it was nine o'clock.
1--WE keep early hours" explained
Mr.. Lorraine, land are all abed at ten
o'clock"
"Then will CO." cried Causs;diere
rising, 'but l shall call again. 1t is not
often in Scotland, one finds such pleas
ant company"
Caussidiere shook the minister's
hand cordially, and favored Marjorie
with warm and lingering pressure,
which left her more disturbed than
ever. Then the two men walked out of
the house together.
Caussidiere and Sutherland walked
up the village side by side in the light
of the moon, which was then at the
full.
"You are native of this place, mon
sieur?" said the Frenchman, afte. a
long silence.
eyes," was the quiet reply.
"a charming place! and the people
still more charming! You have known
our old friend long, long timc?"
Ever since can mind"
"And his daughter-his fos.er-daugh-
ter, l should say? I have heard her
story; it is romantic, monsieur; it
touches my heart. Do you think her
pretty?"
Sutherland started at the question
which was made with apparent non
chalance, but in reality with eager sus-
picion. He was silent, and the other
continued:
"She is not like one of common birth