The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-07-27


lister Of month ago." said Edward,
retaining the hand she would have
withdrawn. II will not release you
lntil you tell me what is the shadow
lpon the affection that was to me more
lear than any other friendship, and
which dared hope was much to you.
Be, for one instant, yourself. and tell
ne all"
She was very pale, but, in despera-
don, she tried to laugh. "You must
rot call me to account for my looks
md actions nowadays, Edward. think
sometimes that I am not quite sane.
have gone through much suffering;
teen the prey of imaginings that al
most deprived me of reason, besides
enduring the real and present trial.
And heaven knows how unready was
Tor 1t all!''
Zone word, my dear girl, and my in
QUESTION is over. Assure me honestly
and without fear Of wounding me, have
you ever, in your most secret thought.
blamed me for the casualty which so
learly widowed you? did try, as you
IAN. bear me witness, to dissuade him
whom We both love from the expert
nent that cost him so dear. The idea
that you may have doubted this has
,ained me inexpressibly."
Dismiss the suspicion at once and
sorever!' Constance looked steadily
into his face and spoke calmly. "The
thought has never entered my mind.
{ blame no one for my trouble-except-
Ing myself!' 4
Before she could divine his purpose,
Edward had put his arm over her
shoulder and pressed his lips to hers.
Let bygones be bygones" he said,
brightly and fondly. eve have too
much to live and to hope for to waste
time in nursing unhealthy surmises
Ind fears"
"Oh! The sharp little intersection
came from the threshold of the door
leading into the hall, where Miss Field
vas dicovered in a fine attitude of BASH
Jul apology. family favored with prud-
tsh CONSERVATION. II did not dream
you were here. was on my way to
my Cousins room" she continued, in
prodigious flutter of ringlets and
shoulders. Il beg a million pardons,
am sure"
"You need not beg one" said the
lndaunted Edward, without releasing
Constance. Connie and l have been
settling trivial misunderstanding in
good boy-and-girl style-have just
kissed and made up and we now mean
% be. better friends than ever"
"He! he! you are excessively candid,
70 be sure!" Uttered Harriet. "But"
shaking her black curls-"Mrs. With
.rs knows men and human nature too
we'll to believe quite all you say. We
must not forget, my dear madam,
that men were deceivers ever"
'tYou speak feelingly," said Edward,
:arelessly, following Constance with his
eye, as she moved silently toward her
husbands chamber. II shall caution
the lady Of my love-should the gods
ever bestow one upon me-not to sip of
the bitter waters of your wisdom"
Had he seen the glitter of the round,
black orbs that pursued his retiring
figure, he might have made a more
thoughtful exit, his run down the stairs
been less swift, the air he hummed, as
tewent, less gay.
He had a pleasant drive; Constance
IN hour of mingled sweet and bitter
ness. It was difficult to bear her part
In the apparent renewal Of the familiar
intercourse Of other days, without re-
taxing the severe guard she had set
apon herself from the moment she dis
covered the true nature Of the senti-
ment she entertained for her husbands
brother. She could not help delight
ing in his society, in the manifold
proofs Of loving concern for her con-
tort and happiness Of which she was the
recipient. Yet, underlying this secret
and fieeting Joy, was the: ever-present
shame that marked her remembrance
u her guilty weakness, and thesdespair-
ing knowledge that remorse. duty and
resolve had thus far availed nothing
b conquer It.
She looked jaded rather than refresh
"a upon her return, although she had
aurtailed the ride in opposition to Ed
W4rds advice. Wild, rebellious
thoughts fought for mastery within her
III the while she was with him, the
Spromptings Of an insane familiarity she
could not cast out. "If / had met him
! two years aSo instead of his brother,
and he had wooed me, the love which
u now my disgrace would have been
- glory, she was tempted to repeat.
sAsain. ana again. sYetsny fitness to,
fSceixS his affection and my need Of
~ are the Same to-day % they were