The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-03-31

Demands face was turned away from
her. and It was . husky voice that
said- sss 81.
"Truly then 1t is not an undSserved
retaliation that Hugo's wrongs should
be the means Of debarring Court EN-
lie from his dearest hopes. Did you
say you liked this Hugo?"
Liked him!'' repeated violante in
differently-''yes. we'll enough; he was
peasant, you know"
"Ah!" said he, answering her ques-
tioning look, "perchance you have
thrust your spear into a sore place. I,
too, may be peasant
"You-no indeed, will stake any
thing upon itr' was her earnest reply.
Take care" said he dejectedly, shut
truly will own your words panied
me. Why, II Hugo was good, and nobly
bred by natures largeness of heart and
intellect, should you speak so slight
ingly of him as peasant? Nay, far
Their yet, why should he not be more
worthy Of your heart, your hand even,
than the miserable, treacherous Count
Emile? Oh, Lady Violante, Lady vio-
lante, heaven sends out its nobility un-
titled, and free from estate or rent roll.
Aye, and this seething, boiling, trou-
bled land, is tending toward worthier
recognition of its peasant Hugos, wher-
ever they may be. The coarse blouse
hides hearts as true and warm, nay, a
thousand fold more worthy, than beat
beneath the broidered vestments that
glisten in the court levees Of that
heartless Austrian Queen, who has no
thought of the wrongs and expressions
of groaning France!"
dream. Perhaps you are right" said
she, sorrowfully. 81 have often grieved
over the hopeless fate that seemed
thrust upon one-half of the land, while
the other half received and enjoyed all
its honors and pleasures. But today
my own griefs press too heavily to al,
low much thought for others. My faith
err is very angry with me. can only
appease him by wronging my own con-
science-and then again his insinua-
tons, so cruel and sarcastic, they burn
my ears even yet"
"What insinuations?" demanded Ber-
nard with vehemence.
She dropped her eyes, and the color
on her cheeks mounted even to her
forehead. He watched her silently a
moment, and then burst forth vehe-
mently-
81 see, I see. My lord, the Count is
tired of his guest! He would withhold
from me the light of your presence. All
ha, do you doubt whence comes the
suggestion? it is like the bastard jeal-
ousy of Count Emile. Take my word
for it, Lady Violante, it was he who
prompted your fathers words.'
violante was weeping bitterly.
He approached her, and stood look
ing down upon her bowed head and
fearful face, VITA stern self-control
When suddenly reaching down to lay
his trembling hand upon hers, he whis-
pered-
did he say you were learning to
love me?" ------,.-
Closer still the head was bowed upon
the fair white arRs, but no reply. Soft
err and more thrilling were the tremu-
| lous tones
Did you deny it, Lady violante?"
Fresh <sobs, but no words. He bent
down till he bad fallen on his knees,
and softly drew away the clinging
hands.
Lady Viohnte, this once, give a
drop of wat r to a thirsty wretch, a
ray of hope b brighten life of strug-
gle; if -we1f worthy, in name and es-
tate, and cha'scter, to ask the priceless
blessing, wotld you love me?"
q b BE cosr1SUED.)