The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-11-17

of that in met appears it is my weak
point-that has led to these repeated
shocks. BY the commercial imagina-
ton the financier forecasts the destiny
Of his investments, marks the falling
house."
"Egad," interrupted Casimir; "our
his share of it,"
The Doctor was silenced; and the
meal was continued and finished prin-
cipally to the tune of the brother-in-
laws not very consolatory converse
ton. He entirely ignored the two
young English painters turning blind
eyeglass to their salutations, and con-
tinuing his remarks as if he were alone
in the bosom Of his family; and with
every second word he "ripped another
stitch out of the air balloon of Des-
prez's vanity. By the time coffee was
over the poor Doctor was as limp as
napkin.
LET us go and see the ruins" said
Casimir
They strolled forth into the street.
The fall of the house, like the loss of
a front tooth. had quite transformed
the village. Through the gap the eye
commanded a great stretch of open
snowy country, and the place shrank in
comparison. 1t was like room with
an open door. The sentinel stood by
the green gate, looking very red and
cold, but he had pleasant word for the
Doctor and his wealthy kinsman.
Casimir looked at the mound of
ruins, he tried the quality of the tar
paulin. Him." he said, Il hope the
cellar arch has stood. If it has, my
good brother, will give you good
price for the Wines"
I'VE shall start digging tomorrow, )"
said the sentry. "There is no more fear
of snow"
my friend" returned Casimir SEN
tentiously, "you had better wait till you
get paid"
The Doctor WINGED, and began drag
ging his offensive brother-in-law to-
ward Tentaillon's. In the house there
would be fewer auditors, and these al
ready in the secret of his fall.
"Hullo," cried Casimir, there goes
the stable-boy with his luggage; no,
egad, he is taking it into the inn."
And sure enough, Jean-Marie was
seen to cross the snowy street and en-
ter Tentaillon's, staggering under a
large hamper.
The Doctor stopped with a sudden,
wild hope.
What can he have?" he said. "Let
US go and see." And he hurried on.
His luggage, to be sure,' answered
Casimir. HE is on the move-thanks
to the commercial imagination"
II have not seen that hamper for
for ever so long" remarked the Doctor.
"Nor will you see it much longer"
chuckled Casimir, 'unless, indeed we
interfere. And by the way, I insist on
an examination.
"You will not require" said Desprez,
positively with sob: and, casting a
moist, triumphant glance at Casimir,
he began to run.
"What the devil is up with him, /
wonder?" Casimir reflected; and then,
curiosity taking the upper hand, he fol-
lowed the Doctors example and took
to his heels.
The hamper was so heavy and large.
and Jean-Marie hi:rself so little and so
weary, that it had taken him a great
while to bundle it upstairs to the Des-
prez's private room; and he had just
set it down on the floor in front of An
astasie, when the Doctor arrived, and
was closely followed by the man of
business. Boy and hamper were both
in a most sorry plight; for the one had
passed four months underground in a
certain cave on the way to Acheres, and
the other had run about five miles, as
hard as his legs would carry him. half
that distance under staggering
weight.
"Jean-Marie," cried the Doctor. in
voice that was only too seraphic to be
called hysterical, "is it? 1t Isl" he
cried. ooh, my son, my son!" And he
sat down upon the hamper and sobbed
like a little child.
you will not go to Paris, now." said
Jean-Marie sheepishly.
"Casimir," said Desprez. raising his
wet face, "do you see that boy, that
angel boy? He is the thief; he took
the treasure from man unfit to be en-
trusted with its use: he brings it back
to me when am sobered and hum bled
These. Casimir. are the Fruits of my
Teaching, and this moment is the Re-
ward of my Life.'
It's we'll" said .Casimir.
(The End.)