The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-09-01

az RE.FKRJEON.
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my vile In q tone OF love, ana l no
dced that Pearl was listening now with
Q sudden wonder in her face.
mo mother; she is not here"
''You must bring her to me; prom
6e me, Amos"
when she comes, I will bring her
20 you"
Il have something to say to her
and to you. l once wronged her in my
thoughts, and want to ask her for
giveness. She has behaved to me like
. true loving daughter while you have
been away, and has given me money
regularly-though doubt she is trou-
bled in her mind about you. Heed
what say, my son. All the tales
whispered about her were false. She
10 better than gold-she is as true as
steel, and l misjudged her."
My breath came and went quickly,
and Pearl urged me to lie down and
.eSt
II will watch over your mother" she
said, with strange flush on her face.
"Who spoke?" cried my mother,
striving to rise in bed. "You told me
Mabel was not here"
Neither is she, mother"
"She is. You can't deceive me, blind
as am, it was Mabel's voice l heard"
The wonder expressed in Pearls face
grew and grew.
May" said I, there is no one in the
room but you, l, and a little maid
I'm fond of. Speak to my mother,
Pearl"
"Can I do anything for your" asked
Pearl, timidly.
=! saw that my dear old mother was
wandering in her mind. and I whis-
pered to Pearl to humor her.
IF you think I have anything to
forgive" said Pearl, in a low, trem-
bling voice, and with difficulty re-
straining her tears, Il forgive YOU"
"The Lord bless you and my SOM"
murmured my mother; and then ap-
peared to sink to sleep.
l crept softly to the room below,
with hope and remorse newly born in
my heart. Pearl followed me a mo-
ment afterward. She gazed at me tim
idly, wistfully.
MAY ask you a question:" she
said.
Eyes, my child.''
"Who is Mabel, and why is my voice
dke hers::"
Mabel is my wife, dear child"
1T was my poor mothers name"
said Pearl. her tears flowing. "She
was sailors wife, and my father
was drowned. That is why l hate the
sea. Hush! I heard cry outside! 1t
y woman's voice!"
She was Fastening to the door, when
! gently prevented her, and bid her
60 to my mother.
"And if you love me-. dear child"
I said, as tenderly embraced her. do
not come down until summon you.
Nay, ask no more questions now. I
Will explain all to you before long,"
After but moments hesitation she
went slowly upstairs. Then l myself
threw open the street-door.
also heard the cry; and the instinct
OF affection. or remorse, led me to sus-
pect from whose overcharged bosom
It had proceeded.
My instinct guided me Alright. Out
side by the window woman crouched
hiding her face from me.
Mabel" said
At the sound of my voice the woman
orouched lower and lower. with sohs
that might have come from a broken
heart.
Mabel" l said again, you need not
tear me now. My passion is spent"
An unexpected note of tenderness in
my voice gave her courage to raise her
head-to rise from the ground. and
face me.
Forgive me; oh, forgive mel" she
said. holding out her arms imploringly
but 1 should have died had | stoned
away. You spoke of child-Pearl!-
whom you saved from the wreck, and
who Is here with you! If you were
not hooking me, if you have a spark
OF mercy in your breast, let me see her!
Oh. my heart. my heart!"
Hush! you will alarm her! I have
heard strange things tonight, and we
must speak plainly to each other, with
out reservation and without suspicion.
Come inside.''
: drew her into the room, and once
more-oh, thank God! once more!-a
single roof covered all l had loved in
the world.
bid her sit down by the fire, and to
speak in low tone.
my mother is abed, and perhaps at
tho point Of death. The child 1 spoke
Of is with her. Mabel, this is the most
solemn moment of our lives. If l have
Wronged you-and pray to God that
have!-I will do my best to make
shonement. Tell me your story, and
% you believe there is God in heay-
n, speak the truth"
CHAPTER XVIII.
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