The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-08-03
4. -. BARTER BED LIFE.
Gl4GsY MAn!oM HARLANp. ass2SaS 21a|a
CHAlY,,TlEa x.-ecoxr,xrxn., :

CHAPTER x.-fCoxrrNuxn.,
4 y Was early in March when Constance
lsrcsived. III fancied she perceived, a
annrked alteGation in the demeanor OF
- brother-in-law. He was not less
ktnd, and his fraternal attentions were
ssndsred freely and cordially as ever,
1T he Wa less gay, and was addicted
- 0ts Of abstraction, profound, al
SA0uEh apparently not sad, while his
AAoence from the family circle, with
l0at apology, became so common that it
lHeased to provoke Harriet's frivolous
tUonder, and to disappoint Mr.. Withers.
constance had never complained Of or
eemarked upon this. But her mind
was tossed night and day upon tu-
2ultuous tide of conjectures, she would
4ain have termed apprehensions, rath-
u than hopes. Up to this date she had
believed her love and her misery to be
Snshared and unsupported by him; had
reiterated, in her fimsy self-deception,
thanksgiving choked by tears that she
WAS the only sufferer from her wretch
ed folly. Did she grow suddenly cruel
and base the moment when the thought
that the error was mutual awoke
taptures, the remembrance Of the suf-
fering he must also taste had not the
liver to still?Was the salve to her self
aspect supplied by the discovery that
her divinity was fallible man, impo-
tent to resist the subtle temptation that
had overcome her prejudices and sense
OF right, worth the price paid for It? A
new terror, more sweet than any Joy
1he had ever known, soon laid hold
Of her. It was idle to ignore the fact
that Edward furtively, but persistent
", sought private interview with her.
She might disregard his beseeching
Giances, affect to misunderstood his
signals and his uttered hints, might
0esk, In constant ministrations to her
husbands wants and whims, to guard
hesself, and to forget these omens Of a
neaxing crisis. But she comprehended
his designs; marked with thrill, that
was the opposite to pain, his chagrin
At his failure, and the augmented rest
1essness of his mien, betokening per-
1lexity and desire. What was to be the
end Of this pursuit, and her evasion of
q when her own heart was the temp
-ter's strongest ally? She dared not
hear him say that she was dear to
him as he had long been to her. Know
Ing, as she did, that she ought to spurn
him from her at the remotest approach
10 this theme, she was never able to
SAY with an honest purpose that she
WAS likely to do it. If she doubted his
lntentions, she doubted herself yet
more.
"John," she called through the front
window, where are you going? What
brought you here?"
"Mr. Edward told me to call for him
1t 4 O'Clock, ma'am. thought he had
spoken to you about it," was the re-
spectful rejoinder.
There was no immediate reply, and
he checked his horses to inquire.
:. Twill go back, ma'm?"
mo: go on"
She threw herself upon the back seat
again, with throbbing pulses and a
feeling that she had spoken the SEN
Aence which was to decide her fate for
time and for eternity. Heaven help me
70 stand fast" the tongue essayed to
say, and while the heart was melting
into tenderness, and vibrating with ex-
pectation.
It lacked ten minutes of the appoint
I'D hour when they reached the Office,
but Edward stood upon the door step,
hat and gloves on.
"It is good in you to submit so quietly
10 my meddling," he began, by the
time he was seated. "But l have some
thing to say to you, a story to tell
which I, can keep no longer. You must
have seen, although you have seemed
not to do so, how have logged your
steps for some weeks past, in the hope
of stealing an opportunity for confess
sion. have sometimes ventured to
believe that your woman's wit and
woman's heart had penetrated my Sc
cret; that what entered SO largely into
my thoughts and motives, made up so
much of my life, could not remain hid
den from your eyes. wanted to tell
you Of it long ago, dear Connie, but
the recollection of what was due to
another withheld me, while 1 was yet
uncertain that my love was returned.
u had so little reason for hope, although
hope has never flagged-mine is san
Guine nature, you know-that / hest
fated to speak openly. Now that l can
Heel firm ground under my feet, my
shappiness is mixed with much alloy. I
must either take from one who is a
hopeless invalid the ablest and most
lovely nurse that ever man had;: con-
denim him; whose claim the world would
declare to be superior to mine, to lone
Illness and sorrow, or consent to a sea-
ION Of dreary waiting before 1 can
(e1ll my darling my, own. Do you won
fder that thoughts such as these have
lpreyed upon my spirits; racked me
with anxiety, even in the blessed hou,
IT assurance that my devotion was moi
twasted?"
s CHAPTER XI.
ANlII ion i 's sss s,? sss's eea