The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-04-28
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
Z 7 IoLANTE, screen
II ed by the arbor
-sSML M/ y from the observa-
s'Is&SA1XSL ton of the rude
%mr/o$szGZ throng around her,
1mlor7uT - and sickened by
v1W mfl the horrible oaths
-k-lBkN and bloodthirsty
VIZ imprecations that
VIII continually reach
~ ed her ears, laid
her head back
YEARLY against the railing, too dizzy
and stunned with rapidly accumulat-
ing horrors. to realize her own emo
tions. Closing her eyes she tried to
cease thinking, and to calm her nerves
to steadiness that should be able to
endure what further lay before her,
before she should reach safety. Grow
ing accustomed to so much noise and
shouting, she did not notice approach
ing steps. nor suspect the presence of
any one in the arbor, until a rude
hand was laid upon her shoulder.
Who is this?" exclaimed a sinister
Notwithstanding man, clad in butch
ers blouse, with two women at his
side. I'll venture to swear that is a
Beauvais profile. Who said they were
sure Lady Violante was not that sob
bling, puny girl clinging to the COUNT"
and then seeing the wild terror with
which Violante sprang up, he added,
TN be bound this puny STRIPPING will
turn out to be the naughty wench.
Here, LiZette. come and see.'
He laid his huge hand upon the COL
lar of her jacket to tear it open, but
with the energy of desperation, Vio-
lante sprang away from him, slipped
between the gaping women.
With a loud whoop the butcher
started after her. At first fear lent
her new power of endurance, but soon
an iron clog seemed to drag her back,
her limbs grew weak, trees, sky and
roadside swan dizzily before her eyes.
She heard the heavy changing steps of
her pursuer close behind her, his ex-
ulting shout echoed like thunder re-
verberations in her ears. But the
cliff was before her. On she sped, wa
vering, staggering. sinking. A short
by-path. which Bernard had shown
her. gave her a few moments advan-
tage: the shrubbery hid her crouching
form, and the fierce citizen paused a
moment in doubt. That was her safe
To
ing strength she sank on her knees
before the rock, and gave low, faint
blast.
Low and faint as it was, it reached
the strained ear behind the rocky
wall. The stony door swung open; q
tender pair of arms seized the faint
ing figure, and drew it in; the rock
closed to its place, and when, painting
and cursing, butcher Jean came to the
summit of the crag, utter silence
reigned there. Searching diligently
but fruitlessly, with the aid of others
who came up, upon receiving the alarm
he peered down at length into the riv-
err rolling TRANQUILITY beneath, as the
stars were shining peacefully above on
this night of horrors. and exclaimed:
She has thrown herself into the
water. 1t is more decent grave than
an aristocrat deserves, but it can't be
helped"
And within, in the rocky saloon with
its crimson hung walls, and huge SUD-
porting pillars, knelt Valerie, chat
ing the cold hands, and using every
tender means to recall the life that
seemed forever fed from the beaute-
GUS form.
Violante had just recovered con-
seriousness. and had flung herself sob
bling and weeping into the arms OF the
| pale and beautiful woman, whose his
tory she had heard in such burning
words that very night, but who claimed
her warmest affection as the mother of
Bernard, when Bernard himself came
hurriedly from the low and tardy cove
entrance.
"You are here" exclaimed he, with
an exclamation of intense relief. 81
dare not tell you what narrowing sus-
pense l have endured. They told me
you were drowned. l mad hoped OF a
better fate, but my fears were painfully
acute. They are searching on the cliff
even yet, so I came through the cove,
crawling on my hands and knees
through the Shiny water" added he,
smilingly to Violante, (Which accounts
for my having such a face and toilet.
All, mother dear, it has been a terrible
night. You must send Lady Violante
with an opiate to your own couch She
has undergone enough to PROSTATE
an iron constitution. Do not ask me
to repeat anything in her presence"
Heaven bless you for your kind
ness" sobbed Violante; "oh, Bernard,
Bernard, what Of my father?'
Take courage, my beloved one, you
] have seen for yourself what. influence