The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-03-31
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
:. THE RIGHTFUL HEIR i
ny M. =. cALDoR.

80 b q a.
away her face to hide the gush Of tears
that rose to her eyes, while she an
swered dejectedly.
"It is vain for me to seek to baf-
f1e your penetration. How is 1t pos
sible that you should have known of
Captain Germans movements"
1T is very natural conclusion
draw, Lady sViolante, especially since
upon the day of the accident, was we'll
aware the old Count was to make the
formal proposal for your hand. The
postponement was doubtless owing to
at the CASTLE"
'The day Of the accident" repeated
Violante, her dark eyes widening with
surprise. did you know me then"
He smiled mournfully.
did I know you? ali, you had not
rode, or walked, for months before
that, but my eye followed you lovingly
and admiringly; not movement you
made escaped my vigilance"
"And why?" asked she in startled
tone
Because loved you, because wor-
SHIPPED the ground upon which you
trod, because you were the star, that
high as the heaven above me, yet
frightened and cheered my gloomy
| night. You have the answer now, Lady
| Violante''
The color centered in burning glow
on her cheek-the long dark eye-lash
dropped lower than when the tear
weighed down the silky fringe, but she
made no reply.
do not accuse me of presumption"
said he, with proud humility-"since
you have extorted from me the secret
meant to hide always in my own heart.
Forget that you knew it, and tell me
if Count German is to win, with all the
rest, the one peerless woman the wide
world holds, as the angel of my hope"
Her clasping hands concealed her
face, and with the trickling tears her
words came brokenly-
II cannot tell; only know l am
unhappy, wretched-aroused from my
tranquil life of calm enjoyment to
knowledge of the care and grief the
world offers to all alike. My father
never spoke an unkind word to me be-
fore; but yesterday he was stern, sar-
castle, pitiless-all because 1 said did
not love the COUNT"
you do not love the Count" ex-
claimed Bernard joyfully. kind prov
idence, beneficent fate-how 1 have
wronged you! this is joy enough for
me. Lady Violante, I am not mad
enough to ask the blessed dover of
your love for myself, but oh, shall go
away content to take up mine own per-
ilous, darksome life, knowing that you
will not give it to him, my rival and
my enemy, in other lots than that of
love"
She drew away the white fingers and
looked over to him with bewildered
fearful eyes.
II cannot understand you, Bernard,
o, that you would speak openly and
plainly"
She had never called him by his
name before. 1t thrilled softly, like
delightful music to the ears.
eff I could, do you doubt that 1
should do so? Is it not proof of that
:nexorable fate that binds my tongue.
that make no effort to propitiate your
favor, to win the affection that would
be more to me than honor, fame.
wealth, the whole world? Oh, Lady
Violante, you do not know, you cannot
dream how have loved you, and how
1 have suffered through it!'
But" said she proudly, where is
Valerie:"
valerie" repeated he, turning his
face away that she might not see the
one exulting smile leaping into it, as
he caught her offended, jealous look of
pride. valerie is my mother!".
Guileless Lady Violante, despite her
pride and reserve, she could not hide
the glad light that changed the tear
into sparkling diamond, and dimpled
the treacherous lips into happy smile.
"Your MOTHER" repeated she, and
then paused in confusion.
How his swift, clear glance devoured
the downcast face: yet he said calm
ly-
l "And you do not love the Count
can you tell why it is?'
mot precisely. We have ALWAYS
been neighbors, from very childhood.
But I remember the first incident that
changed my girlish admiration of him
and gave me an insight into cruel
passionate temper that alarmed and
shocked me. 1t was long, long ago
, but never could forget it. They used
, to have in their household younl
peasant lad, somewhere near Coun
Emile's own age, who was favorite
? believe, of the old Counts. I remem
, Der him well, so handsome, active ant
3 daring. Indeed, always preferred hin
for playfellow to Emile-many boy
: ish favor did he bestow upon me. Fo
E some reason, / never knew, Emile al
5 ways hated him, and lost no opportu
: nifty of insulting and tormenting him
l and once because Hugo put his arm
around me to lift me from a swing
!, Emile struck him in the face, will
e some taunt did not comprehend. Blu
I saw the fire flash from Hugo's eyes
and fearing struggle would ensue,
3 screamed for help. The old Coun
! heard me, and came hurrying to tn