The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-09-15

theories. but Of different order, At
tributed his present philosophy to the
study Of Anastasie. It was her brute
enjoyment that he rationalized and Per
haps vainly initiated.
Madame Desprez was an artist In tho
kitchen, and made coffee to q nicely.
She had knack Of tidiness, with which
she had infected the Doctor: every
thing. was in its place: everything
capable Of polish shone gloriously; and
dust was a thing banished from her
empire. Aline, their single servant,
had no other business In the world but
to scour and burnish. So Doctor Des-
PREF lived in his house like a fatted calf,
warmed and cosseted to his hearts
content.
The midday meal was excellent.
There was ripe melon, a fish from the
river in a memorable Bearnaise sauce,
fat fowl in a fricassee, and a dish Of
asparagus, followed by some fruit. The
Doctor drank half bottle plus one
glass, the wife half a bottle minus
the same quantity, which was marital
privilege, of an excellent Cote-Rotie,
seven years old. Then the coffee was
brought, and flask of Chartreuse for
madame, for the Doctor despised and
distrusted such decoctions; and then
Aline left the welded pair to the pleas
ures of memory and digestion.
1T is very fortunate circumstance,
my cherished one," observed the Boo
tor-"thls coffee is adorable-a very
fortunate circumstance upon the whole
-Anastasie, beseech you, go without
that poison for to-day; only one day,
and you will feel the benefit, I pledge
my reputation"
What is this fortunate circumstance,
my friend?" inquired Anastasie, not
needing his protest, which was Of daily
recurrence.
THAT we have no children, my
beautiful" replied the Doctor. Il
think of it more and more as the years
go on, and with more and more graft
tude toward the Power that dispenses
such Affections. Your health, my dar-
ling, my studious quiet, our little kitch-
en- delicacies, how they would all have
suffered, how they would all have been
sacrificed! And for what? Children
are the last word of human imperfec-
ton. Health fees before their face
They cry, my dear; they put vexatious
questions; they demand to be fed to
be washed, to be educated, to have
their noses blown; and then, when the
time comes, they break our hearts, as
1 break this piece of sugar. A pair of
professed egoists, like you and me,
should avoid offspring, like an infdel-
ity."
"Indeedv' said she and she laughed.
"Now, that is like you-to take credit
for the thing you could not help"
"My DEAR returned the Doctor,
solemnly, eve might have adopted"
Never" cried madame. "Never,
Doctor, with my consent. If the child
were my own flesh and blood, would
not say no. But to take another per-
sons indiscretion on my shoulders, my
dear friend, have too much sense"
Precisely" replied the Doctor. eve
both had. And am all the better
pleased with our wisdom, because-be-
cause" He looked at her sharply.
Because what?" she asked, with a
faint premonition of danger.
Because have found the right per-
son" said the Doctor firmly, ''and shall
adopt him this afternoon"
Anastasie looked at him out of
ic+ no
said; and there was clang in her
voice that seemed to threaten trouble.
"Not so, my DEAR he replied; II re-
tain it's complete exercise To the
proof; instead of attempting to cloak
my inconsistency, I have, by way of
preparing you, thrown it into strong
relief. You will there, think, recog-
nize the philosopher who has the &C.
stacy to call you wife. The fact is,
have been reckoning all this while
without an accident. never thought
| to find son of my own. Now, last
night, found one. Do not unneces-
sarily alarm Yourself, my dear; he is
not drop of blood to me that know.
1t is his mind, darling, his mind that
calls me father"
His mind!' she repeated, with a
twitter between scorn and Mysteries.
'His mind. indeed! Henri is this an
idiotic pleasantly, or are you mad? Hia
mind! And what Of my mind?"
| ITO BE coNrrNueD,
A Good System.
/ re