The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-01-27

CHAPTER XXXNH.-{CoN11NuEp
Once safe on English soil Caussidiere
became himself again. He forgot his
Abject terror and resumed his old man
ner. Then, before he had been in Lon
1on many days, arose the question:
How was he to subsist? He had little
or no money, and such talents as he
possessed We're not at that time in
much demand. A happy thought struck
him-he would go down to Scotland,
nunt out the rich mistress Of AMMAN
dale Castle, and perhaps secure some
help from her sympathy-or her fear.
Thus it befell that he arrived quietly
one day in the town of Dumfries, and
within few hours of his arrival heard
enat Marjorie was alive and dwelling
with. her mother at the Castle. Up to
that moment he had been in doubt
whether the woman he had betrayed
vas alive or dead-indeed he had
scarcely given her thought, and cared
not what fate had befallen her But
now it was very different. She lived,
and by the law Of the land was his law
ful wife.
His plans were soon laid He deter
mined to see Marjorie alone. and if she
was obstinate and unforgiving, to use
what power he had over her to the ut
most. with the view of securing present
and future help. On reflection, he had
mot much doubt that he would soon re-
gain his old influence over her; for in
the old days she had been as wax in his
hands, and her character had seemed
altogether gentle and unresisting.
He reckoned without his host. These
seemingly feeble and too faithful ma
lures. when once they gain the strength
OF indignation and the courage of de-
spa!r, assume force of determination
sometimes unnown and foreign to the
strongest and most passionate men.
AS matters had turned out, however.
1t was not with Marjorie herself that
the Frenchman had had to reckon, but
with her lifelong friend and protector,
John Sutherland. This pertinacious
young hero whom he had always hated,
had now fully asserted his authority in
giving him the first sound thrashing
he had ever received in his life
Baffled, bruised and bleeding, livid
with mortified rage, Caussidiere re-
manned for some time where Suther-
land left him, and when he at last
1ound speech, cursed freely in his own
tongue. Then he paced about madly,
calling Heaven to witness that he
would have full and fierce revenge.
II will kill him." he cried, gnashing
his teeth. Il will destroy him-I will
tear him limb from limb! He has out
ragged me-he has profaned my person
but he shall pay dearly for it, and so
shall she-so shall they all! l was
right-he is her lover; but he shall
find that I am master, and she my
slave"
Presently he cooled little and sat
down to think.
What should he, what could he do?
OF his power over Marjorie and the
child there was no question; by the
laws of both England and Scotland he
could claim them both. But suppose
they continued to set his authority at
defiance, what then? They were COM
paratively rich, he was peer. fIe knew
that in legal strife the richest is gen
orally the conqueror: and, besides.
while the war was waging, how was he
to sIbsist?
Then he bethought him of his old
hold upon Miss Hetherington, of his
knowledge of the secret of Marjorie's
birta. It was useless to him now, for
the scandal was common property, and
Mother Rumor had cried it from house
10 house till she was hoarse The
proud lady had faced her shame, and
had overcome it; everyone knew her
secret now, and many regarded her
with sympathy and compassion. For
the rest, she set public opinion at de-
dance, and knowing the worst the
world could say or do, breathed more
Freely than she had done for years.
Thus there was no hope for her. In
need, look which way he might he saw
no means Of succor or revenge.
AS he sat there, haggard and furious,
he looked years older. but his face still
preserved a certain comeliness
Suddenly he sprang up again as if re-
solved on immediate action. AS he did
so he seemed to hear voice murmur-
ting his name.
..Caussidiere!"
He looked toward the window, and
saw there. or seemed to see, close
pressed against the pane, a bearded
human countenance gazing in upon
VIM
He struggled like a drunken man.
back at the face.
'ity or dream? Two wild
hen vanished, and the
"a old opd