The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-03-31
CHAPTER XIV.-tCoSr1SUEpA

But | ruined all your happiness! "
Regina. my wife, 1t has been this &C
cursed pride that has wrought it all. II
we but had our lives to live over again"
Hush" she said softly. Let il be
as God wills! He knows best. And
there is a hereafter where all these
broken golden threads can be taken up,
and joined again together. In that we
find our compensation
she remained with him until he
died Two days Of watching passed.
and one morning he quietly breathed
his asst in her arms We took his re-
mains home to Auvergne, and there We
buried him beneath a tree that he had
planted on the day of his marriage.
ION an examination of my fathers
affairs it was found that he had left
his whole vast possessions, without re-
serve, to his wife; and counselled me as
the son and heir prospective, to make
every exertion to discover my lost sis
ter.
my mother survived him only about
six months; she had been failing gradu-
ally, but we did not think her in any
immediate danger. One day she called
us to her and made me promise that
when she was dead | would dispose OF
the estate in France, and go home to
my grandfather in England. And then,
having seen Genie provided with suit
able home, she desired me TO cross the
Atlantic. and ascertain if possible the
fate of my sister Evangeline | prom
Used her faithfully to attend TO her re-
quests, and then lett her-she wanted
to sleep. she said When we returned
10 her room she was sleeping the sleep
eternalv
st. Cyril bowed his face in his hands
for a moment, then mastering his emo
ton, continued:
Il had little to guide me in my search,
but | determined to undertake it at
once / disposed of my estates in
France, and took my sister to England.
We were greeted warmly by our grand
father, who had sincerely repented his
cruelty towards my mother, and after
remaining with him a few months. |
made arrangements to come to this
country. utllle luSlsltu OI accompany
ing me. We could not persuade her to
stay behind We took passage in the
Alsamo, and ten days out she encoun-
tered a gale which made her unsea-
worthy, and the captain was about to
return TO the nearest port, when We fell
in with a merchant vessel, bound 10
Portlea. The captain OF this vessel very
kindly offered TO take us on board, and
those of us who were anxious to reach
the States accepted his proposal, my
sister and myself being among the unm'
ber | think providence must have di'
rected us TO the very spot where We
know that our search is ended. Now
that | know the fate of Evangeline, il
only remains for me TO discover the vii
lain who abducted her. | would give
half my life this moment for the privi
lege of putting pistol shot through his
heart"
by what means can you trace him
how identify him." asked Ralph.
IL have seen him once. | remember
his face distinctly. II was dark
strongly marked, heavily bearded anC
lit up by eyes that cleaned ike fire.
Some sudden thought seemed t.
strike Ralph rather forcibly. n
started up and paced the floor with hur
ried strides.
WAS there no popularity? Nothin!
by which this man could be distin
guished from all other men with heav.
boards and dark complexions?"
There was He had lost the thir,
and fourth fingers OF his right hand"
Ralph gave a sudden start. St Cyri
noticed it.
you have seen him." he said. "Yo
know of him, Only give me clew t
his h..i-G pace, and M life shall b
at your service
81 think have seen him" said Rap
guardedly, but | am not sure. Mr.. s
Cyril thank you for the confidence 20
have reposed in me. | will help you I
bring this man to justice, if he sti
lives. / must go home now. | will sc
you again before night
The two gentlemen shook hands COZ
daily. Ralph bowed to Miss st. Cyril
and left the house All of his terribl
dread OF the past night came over hil
the moment he stepped out into the sur
shine and saw the glitter of the sea. II
shuddered as he passed the little GOV
whore last night they had embarked /
the boat. He felt like one suddenly b,