The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-12-28
CHAPTER yI.-(Continued.)

Nas saying to himself at that mo-
0ent, as he drove along. "They have
either got a clue or they've turned
Laurence now. 1 shall have to make
40 my mind to screw things up to a
climax"
But he had not now much fear that
the climax would be disagreeable
ane Tor him; and he drove along over
had done between the sweet Sep
tember hcdgerows. Yet when he
drew up in front of the Hall it
struck him that there was something
strange about the place. For one
thing. the usual neat and well-kcpt
gravel was cut up. and in one place
the low boX-hedge which skirted the
crushed as if a careless driver had
driven over it.
He was not long LEFT in doubt. Old
Adam came to take his horse and led
atm Off to the stable. shaking his head
with ominous sadness, and muttering
something indistinctly about Il bad
fob; and then Barbara opened the
door with scared, white face. and quiv-
ering lips which could not command
themselves sufficiently to tell him
anything.
Good God, what is it," exclaimed
Dick; his thoughts flying strli ghtway
to Dorothy.
But it was not Dorothy, for in two
minutes She came running into the
room, tried to speak, and then. scared
aad trembling and scbbing, she found
herself somehow or other in his arms.
Dick was almost beside himself with
anxiety, but he soothcd her tenderly,
and patted her shoulder With a gentle.
There, there. darling. don't Cry like
that. What is it, dear? Tell me-
But for a little time Dorothy SIM
ply could not tell him. I've been
longing for you to come" she said
at last Oh, poor Auntie! and she is
sll have in the world-in the world"
Gut is she ill?" asked he. "Remem-
Der that I know nothing"
But you got my telegram she
said, ceasing her sobs to look at him.
Your telegram? No! What tee-
9ram?"
II sent one early this morning to
you at Colchester" she answered.
To r. Harris, 10th Dragons, Col
chester Was not that direction
enough?"
"Well, scarcely said Dick. half
smiling at his own knowledge. But
about your aunt--is she ill?"
Dorothy's tears broke out afresh.
She is dying-dying. she sobbed
<<The doctor says there is no hope-no
hope whatever
But tell me all about it," he urged
What is the matter with her? She
vas all right yesterday afternoon
when left. 1t must have been very
sudden. Was it a fit?"
Paralysis" answered Dorothy
mournfully. eve We're just going to
bed. and Auntie got up, and all at
oesce size said, I feel SO strange, Dor
othy; fetch Barbara and when 1
came back a minute afterward she
Rad slipped down on the floor by
che sofa there and could hardly speak.
We put a pillow under her head, and
got Adam up, and Adam drove into
Dovercourt and brought the doctor out
as fast as he could; but Auntie did
not know him at ALL And as soon as
ne came in, Barbara and I knew it
was all over with her, for he shook
his head, and said, We had better get
her to bed. Oh, no, it won't disturb
her. she feels nothing. But she did
feei something" Dorothy added, "for
when we were undressing her she
spoke several times, and always the
sszne. My poor little girl-Dorothy-
all alone,'" and here, poor child, she
broke down again, sobbing over her
own desolation. 81 begged and prayed
her not to worry about me, but it was
no good. Dr. Stanley said she couldn't
hear me, and SO she kept on all night,
MY poor little girl-all alone.'"
For some minutes Dick said never a
word. Dorothy" he said at last, 81
Should like to see her. Where is sheo"
"In her own bed" said Dorothy Won
deringiy.
'SThen take me up there. Perhaps
che will understand me if l tell her
something"
So Dorothy took him up to the large
.dArkened room where the mistress of
the house lay dying. Barbara, filled
With grief and dismay, sat keeping
watch beside her, and she stared with
surprise to see Dorothy come in, fol-
lowed by the tall soldier, who en-
tered with soft tread and went up
20 the bed, where he stood for mo-
ment watching the dying woman, and
listening to the incoherent, mumbling
words that fell from her lips. "Dor-
.othy-little girl-no one-alone-
CHI" and then long sigh, enoueh
to break the hearts that heard it.
~Just pull up that blind for a min
ute, Barbara said Dick to the weep
ing woman. II want to speak to your
mistress, and can't tell whether she
will understand me unless 1 can see
her face"
Then as Barbara drew UP the blind