The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-10-20

In . twinkling; he arranged the sacFi-
fetal vessels, some on the white table
cloth, some on. the sideboard, still
crusted with historic earth. He was
in and out Of the kitchen, plying Anas-
TASTE with vermouth, heating her with
glimpses Of the future. estimating their
new wealth at ever larger figures; and
before they sat down to supper. the
lady's virtue had melted in the fire Of
his enthusiasm, her timidity had dis
appeared; she, too, had begun to speak
disparagingly Of the life at Gretz: and
as she took her place and helped tho
soup, her eyes shone with the glitter
Of prospective diamonds.
All through the meal, she and tho
doctor made and unmade fairy plans.
They bobbed and bowed and pledged
each other. Their faces ran over
with smiles; their eyes scattered spark
les, as they projected the Doctors po-
litical honors and the lady's drawing
room ovations.
"But you, will not be a Red" cried
Anastasie.
II am Left Centre to the CORE" re-
piled the doctor.
Madame Gastein will present us
we shall find ourselves forgotten" said
the lady.
Never" protested the doctor.
Beauty and talent leave a mark"
II have positively forgotten how to
Dress" she sighed.
Darling, you make me blush" cried
he. "Yours has been tragic mar
riage!"
"But your successful see you ap-
preciated, honored, your name in all
the papers, that will be more than
pleasure-it will be heaven!" she
cried.
"And once a week." said the doctor,
archly scanning the syllables, "once
a week-one good little game Of bac-
carat?"
"Only once week." she questioned.
threatening him with finger.
II swear it by my political honor"
cried he.
II spoil you," she said. and gave
MIN ner nand.
He covered it with kisses.
Jean-Marie escapes into the night.
The moon swung high over Gretz. He
went down to the garden end and sat
on the jetty. The river ran by with
eddies of oily silver, and low, monot-
onous song. Faint wells of mist moved
among the poplars on the farther side.
| The reeds were quietly nodding. A
hundred times already had the boy
sat, on such a night, and watched the
streaming river with untroubled fam
cy. And this perhaps was to be the
last. He was to leave this familiar
hamlet, this green, rustling country,
this bright and quiet stream; he was
to pass into the great city; and his
dear lady mistress was to move bedi-
zened into saloons; his good, garru-
lous, kind-hearted master to become a
brawling deputy; and both be lost
forever to Jean-Marie and their better
selves. He knew his own defects; he
knew he must sink into less and less
consideration in the turmoil of a city
life; sink more and more from the
child into the servant. And he began
dimly to believe the doctors prophe-
sizes Of evil. He could see change in
both. His generous incredulity failed
him for this once; child must have
perceived that the Hermitage had COM
pleted what the absinthe had begun.
If this were the first day, what would
be the last? IF necessary, wreck the
train,' thought he, remembering the
doctors parable. He looked round on
| the delightful scene; he drank deep
of the charmed night air. laden with
the scent of hay. eff necessary, wreck
the train," he repeated. And he rose
| and returned to the house.
ITO Re coTrINuruD'