The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-01-13
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implanted IN the heart or loving WO-
man, and now that Caussidiere had
gone to his last account, a deep and
sacred pity took possession of his vic
TINS heart.
Sutherland saw the signs Of change
with some anxiety, but had sufficient
wisdom to wait until time should COM
plete its work and efface the French
mans memory from Marjorie's mind.
When they met he spoke little to her
of love, or of the tender hope which
bound them together; his talk was
rather of the old childish days, when
they were all in all to one another;
of old friends and old recollections,
such as sweeten life. He was very
gentle and respectful to her; only show
ing in his eyes the constancy of his
tender devotion, never harshly ex-
pressing it in passionate words.
But if Sutherland was patient and
self-contained, it was far different with
the impulsive lady of the Castle. No
sooner was she made aware of the true
state of affairs than she was anxious
that the marriage should take place
at once.
I'm an old woman now, Marjorie, !"
she cried, land the days of my life are
numbered. Before l gang ava let me
see you happy bride-let me be sure
you have a friend and protector while
I'm asleep among the mools."
She was sitting in her boudoir in
her great armchair, looking haggard
and old indeed The fire in her black
eyes had faded away, giving place to a
dreamy and wistful pity; but now and
again, as on the present occasion, it
flashed up like the CLEAN upon the
blackening brand.
Marjorie, who was seated sewing by
her mothers side, sadly shook her
head.
Il cannot think of it yet" she re-
piled, Il feel it would be sacrilege."
"Sacrilege, say you?" returned Miss
Hetherington. The sacrilege was wi
yon Frenchman, when he beguiled you
ava, and poisoned your young life.
my BARN. You owed him no duty liv-
ing, and you owe him none dead. He
was an i'll thinner. and thank God he's
in his grave"
"Ah, do not speak ill of him now.
If he has sinned he has been punished.
To desc young."
And Marjorie's gentle eyes filled with
tears.
IF he wasna ripe, do you think he
would be gathered?' exclaimed Miss
Hetherington, with something of her
old fierceness of manner. "My certie,
he was ripe-and rotten; Lord forgive
me for miscalling the dead! But, Mar
jorie. my BARN, you're DER tender
hearted. Forget the past! Forget ev-
erything but the happy future that lies
before YOU! Think you're just a young
lass marrying for the first time, and
marrying as good a lad as ever wore
shoon north O. the Tweed"
Marjorie rose from her seat, and
walking to the window. looked dream
lily down at the Castle garden, still
tangled as maze and overgrown with
weeds. AS she did so, she heard a
child's voice, calling in French:
'Maman! Mamanw
1t was little Leon, playing in the old
garden, attended by a Scottish seryins
maid, who had been taken on as nurse
He saw Marjorie looking down, and
looking up with a face bright as sun
shine, waved his hands to her in de-
light
How can l think as you say" she
said, glancing round at her mother
when have my boy to remind me-
that am widow? After all, he's my
husbands child-a gift that makes
amends for all my sorrow"
AS she spoke she kissed her hand
fondly to the child, and looked down a,
him through streaming tears of love.
'Weel, weel,' said the old lady
soothingly; I'm no saying but that it's
weel to forget and forgie. Only YOU,
life must not be wasted, Marjorie!
must see YOU settled down before
gang"
"You will not leave me, dear moth
err" answered Marjorie, returning t.
her side and bending over her. ono
no; you are we'll and strong"
whats that the auld sang says p
returned Miss Hetherington, smooth
ing the girls hair with her wrinkle.
hand, as she repeated thoughtfully:
I hear voice you cannot hear,
| That says l must not stay;
| see hand you cannot see,
5 That beckons me away
That's it Marjorie! I'm an old woma,
now-old before my time. God ha
been kind to me, far kinder than de
serve; but the grass will soon be gree
on my grave in the kirkyard. Let m
sleep in peace! Marry Johnnie suth
erland WI my blessing, and 1 shall Ike
you will never want a friend"
Such tender reasoning had it's weigh
with Marjorie, but it failed to conque
her scruples altogether. She still re
NAMED in the shadow of her forme
sorrow, fearful and ashamed to pas.
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