The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-04-07

fully, now respondent, and now hope
full, at the Chateau, on that very even
ing. knelt Lady violante, in the high
antique library, with clasped hands
and fearful eyes. asking piteously Of
her proud, stern father
"Oh. my father, have mercy upon me,
I beseech you. I love not Count Ger
main-force not upon me so uncongen-
ial husband nor yet compel me to dis
obey your commando"
Perverted, misguided girl! answer
ed the Count angrily, "can + not see
what has brought this sudden change?
How long since Emile was the compan-
ion Of all your happiest hours, and re-
ceived warmer smiles than any Of all
your admirers could boast? Have you
not known and understood this long
time what his visits meant? I blush
for you! It is this unknown, low-born
fellow, who fled from the Chateau like
a very THEFT is he who has wrought
this change-peste! I would he had
brok-l his neck instead of his ankle!
I might have been wiser than to have
allowed you such free ingress to his
room. Emile warned me against it, but
I counted too strongly on the pride that
should fill the heart of Beauvais."
do you wish me to understand there
is no hope Of escaping marriage with
Count Emile, except by directly OPP
posing my own to my fathers will?"
asked she.
II mean you should understand there
is no escape whatever. AS you well
know, a fathers will is law. I am the
best Judge of what your rank and posi-
ton demand. Well all visit Paris
through the court season. Upon our
return the wedding will take place.
Look to it, Violante, that you conduct
yourself as a Beauvais II you would
receive fathers affection or bless
ing"
A hard, cold expression settled down
upon Violante's beautiful face.
II have no mother to appeal to-" she
said, bitterly. what is the blessing of
father who cares more for his own
will than for my happiness? Yet I
shall not dare disobey you!"
"Perverse child" said the Count, at
fected deeply at the sight of her woe
begone face. II am acting for your
true happiness. As for that deceitful
Bernard, let him beware! Count Emile
is upon his track!'
Violante started, and a terrible fear
crept over her. She remembered what
Bernard had said, and the urgent warn
ing of the latter against betraying him
self to the Germans. What If his rash
resolve to watch over her should lure
him to his own destruction? How or
in what way the fatal web of mystery
connected him with Count Emile she
knew not; but the very vagueness of
her fears made them more alarming.
She hurried away from her fathers
presence, and holding her throbbins
forehead in her hands, tried to discover
some safe and speedy way of warning
Bernard, who she felt convinced was
somewhere concealed around the mys-
terious and lonesome cliff. She rose
and lifted the heavy curtain away from
the window to look out. It was calm
starry sky, and peace and silence SEEM
ed to fall upon the sleeping earth like
benediction from the sparkling SEN
tinels above. An earnest, resolute pur
pose came to her. She called Celeste
and babe her bring her mantle and
headgear.
II am sleepless and nervous" said
she in explanation, "and the night is so
lovely; come out with me to the lawn
and wait there while stroll on alone"
ITO BE CoNTINUED.)