The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-10-26
tpaions- even the. paper Icy furled 81

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his side. 85 I9sssss sS b
But presently Flora came I'd the us.
cue. She slid into the silence with
technicality, asking II John still took
his old inordinate amount OF sugar.
Thence it was butra step to the burn
ing question of the day; and in tones
aslittle shaken, she commented on the
interval since she. had last made tea
for the prodigal, and congratulated
him on his return And then address
ing Mr.. Nicholson; she congratulated
him also in manner that defied his
iil-humor; and from that launched into int
tine tale of John's$misad adventures, not
without some suitable impressions. ): :.
Gradually Alexander Joined; between
them, whether he.would or not, they
forced word or two from John; AMI
these fell TREMENDOUSLY. and spoke so
eloquently of mind oppressed with
dread, that Mr.. Nicholson relented.3 At
length even he contributed question;
and before the meal: was at an end all
four We're talking. even freely.
Prayers followed, with the servants
gaping at this newcomer whom no one
had admitted; and after prayers there
came that moment on the clock which
was the signal for Mr.. Nicholson's de,
parture. ~
"John," said he, "of course you will
stay here. Be very careful not to excite
Maria, if Miss Mackenzie thinks it de-
sira BILE that you should. see her. Alex
ander,1 wish to speak with you alone.
And then, when they were both in the
back room: you need not come to the
Office today said he; you can stay
and amuse your brother, and think
it would be respectful to call on Unels.
Greig. And by the bye" (this spoken
with a certain-dare we say?-bash
fulness).. ~ agree to concede the pril;
ciple ofkan allowance; and l will coa-
suit with Doctor Durie, who is quite A
man of the world and has sons of his
own, as to the amount. And my fine
follow, you may consider yourself in
luck!' he added, smiling.
THANK you," said Alexander.
Before noon detective had restored
to John his money. and brough.
news. sad enough in truth, but
perhaps the least sad possible. Alan
had been found in his own house in Re-
gents Terrace, under care Of the ter
rifed butler. He was quite mad. ana
instead of going to prison had gone
Ito Morningside Asylum. The murder
ed man, it appeared, was an evicted
tenant who had for nearly year pur-
sued his late landlord with threats and
insults; and beyond this, the cause and
details of the tragedy were lost.
When Mr.. Nicholson returned from
dinner they were able to put dispatch
into his hands: John V. Nicholson,
Randolph Crescent, Edinburgh.-Kirk
man has disappeared; police looking
for him. All understood. Keep mind
quite easy.-Austin. Having had this
explained to him, the old gentleman
took down the cellar key and departed
for two bottles of the 1920 port. Uncle
Greig dined there that day, and cousin
Robina, and, by an odd chance, Mr..
Macewen; and the presence of these
strangers relieved what might have
been otherwise a somewhat strained
relation. Ere they departed. the fam
lily was welded once more into a.fair
semblance of unity.
In the end of April John led Flora
to the altar, if altar that may be
called which was indeed the drawing
room mantel-piece in Mr.. Nicholson
house. with the Reverend DR.. Durie
posted on the hearth-rug in the guise
Of Hymen's priest.
The last l saw of them. on recent
visit to the north, was at dinner-party
in the house of my old friend Gellatly
Macbride; and after we had. in classic
phrase, "rejoined the ladies'" had an
opportunity to overhear Flora con-
versing with another married woman
OH the much canvassed matter OF
husbands tobacco "Oh, yes" said she;
II only allow Mr.. Nicholson four cigars
a day. Three he smokes at fixed
times-after meal, you know, my
dear; and the fourth he can take when
he likes with any friend"
bravo" thought to myself; "this
is the wife for my friend joint"
THE END.