The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1901-04-12

to go and leave me, but he had to go
he had such good appointment Of
fered him, he did not dare refuse It..
Still; he hated to go and leave me,
just now especially. What he would
say II he knew about Barbara. can't
think. don't think i would tell him,
would you?"
mot till ali is over" answered Els
ther. cit would only worry him tor
nothing. By-the-bye, what is he like?"
oh" and Dorothy looked round for
Dicks portrait. ooh, here he is" hold
ing It out to her cousin.
Esther Brand took it and looked lat
it attentively for a long time, slipped
her tea, and looked again and yet
again. lE
well" said Dorothy, impatiently, i.
II like him." said Esther, che looks
good and true, and he is handsome
man, too-a fine, honest-looking, man
ly man.. Yes, I like him-you're a
lucky little girl, Dorothy"
so think" answered Dorothy,
proudly, "and Dick is just what he
looks honest as the day, and as good
as gold"
Esther laughed. "Well, you are
lucky little woman to have won such
husband. I never met man like
that, or should have been, tempted to
give up my liberty long ago. Do you
know, dearie, I always had horrible
conviction that you would end by mar
rying David Stevenson, and always
did dislike David Stevenson with all
my heart and SOUL"
$50 did IT, answered Dorothy,
promptly. @tE.
For a moment she was tempted to
tell Esther all about her meeting with
David, then feeling that it would be
scarcely fair to him held her back, and
she kept her own counsel about that
matter.
"Of course there is no knowing what
might or might not have done if
dear Auntie had lived,''' she said, wish
Ing to explain everything as far as pos
sible and yet avoid saying much about
David's feelings for her, land if l had
never seen Dick; but then, you see, 1
did meet Dick, and Dick liked me, and
and"
And David Stevenson went to the
wall" Esther said, finishing the SEN
tence for her, "and very proper and
suitable place for: him., too, my dear
child" with laugh.
Dorothy laughed, too. 'Ah! you are
all very hard on poor David she said
softly.
| "Now, how shall we do about din
ner? Hadn't we better wait a little
and see If this woman comes, and then
go into town and dine somewhere"
she said. 81 can't offer to cook din
ner for you. If did, it would probably
kill you to eat it," - .
Just as you like. Then, couldn't we
call at st. Georges and leave note
to tell Barbara you have Gomez" Do
rothy asked. ut will be such load eS
her mind"
| TO be sure" Esther answered: and
then they settled down to their chat
again, and Esther heard a great deal
more about Dick, and learned a great
many of Dorothy's hopes and wishes
about; the baby that was to come be-
fore long.
And presently there came some one
to the door who rang gently and
knocked softly.
| Il will go: sit STILL" cried Esther
She went to the door, where she
found handsome, neatly dressed wo-
man, about forty years old. Mrs.
Harris?" she said inquiringly.
NO" said Esther, 81 am not Mrs.
Harris, but this is her house. Will you
come in? suppose Lord Aylmer sent
you?" et}
Eyes, madam" said the stranger re-
spectfully. 5sF
1t struck Esther as little odd thai
she should use the term madam" but
she put the thought away from her al.
most as soon as it had taken shape il
her mind. ":Of course, she is a mar
ried woman, and perhaps has never
been servant at ALL" she said to her.
self; then said aloud: "Well, come
in and see Mrs. Harris. am sure sh,
will be very glad that you have come
By-the-bye. what is your name p"
"My name is Harris, too, madam,
the stranger answered. with a depre
eating look, as if she had rather take1
liberty in having married man O
+ the name Of Harris.
Dear me, how odd! Well, I sup
pose. my cousin will like to call You b,
your Christian name. And that i
= = 2" +, faSS
I amelia. madam" she answere,
quietly 81,
4 5"oh, yes:,i Then Esther opened tn
! drawing-room door and bade Ameli
Harris follow her.
III Dorothy, here is Lord Aylmer's - -
&. Why, my dear child, what is the mat
/ ter?" for Dorothy was lying back i
the chair with a face as white as schall
4 and pinched with pain.
& 4 am SO ILL.," she gasped. "Oh, Es
Their! Esther!" +.
III h Estherffnnk firm tr6nyrd VI At once