The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1901-05-24


4 beach when saw him take forcible
possession Of her hand. She strug-
gled, and uttered q cry that was al
most a scream. sprang to my feet,
unmindful of my strange position; but.
eresI had taken step saw North
mour bare-headed and bowling very
low, as if to apologize; and dropped
again at once into my ambush. A few
words were interchanged, and then,
with another bow, he left the beach
to return to the pavilion. He passed
not far from me, and could see him,
flushed and lowering, and cutting saw
agely with his cane among the grass.
It was not without satisfaction that I
recognized my own handiwork in the
great cut under his right eye, and a
considerable discoloration around the
socket.
For some time the girl remained
where he had left her, looking out past
the islet and over the bright sea. Then
with start as one who throws off
preoccupation and puts energy again
upon its metal, she broke into,a rapid
and decisive walk. She also was much
incensed by what had passed. She had
forgotten where she was. And I be-
held her walk straight into the bor-
ders OF the quicksand where it is most
abrupt and dangerous. Two or three
steps further and her life would have
been in serious jeopardy, when 1 slid
down the face of the sand hill, which
is there precipitous, and, running half
way forward, called to her to stop.
She did so, and turned round. There
was not tremor of fear in her be-
havior, and she marched directly up to
me like queen.
What does this mean?" she asked.
"You were walking" told her, "di-
rectly into Graden Floe''
You do not belong to these parts"
she said again. "You speak like an
educated man. What do you mean
you, a gentleman-by skulking like a
spy about this desolate place? Tell
me-" she said, who is it you hate?"
Il hate no one," answered, "and +
fear no one face to face. My name is
Cassllis-Frank Cassilis. 1 lead the
life of vagabond for my own good
pleasure. I am one of Northmour's
Oldest friends, and three nights ago
when addressed him on these links
he stabbed me in the shoulder with
knife"
1T was you" she said.
why he did so," I continued, dis
regarding the interruption, els more
than can guess and more than care
to know. l have not many friends,
nor am very susceptible to friendship,
but no man shall drive me from a
place by terror. / had camped in Ora
den Sea-wood ere he came; camp in
1t still. If you think I mean harm to
you or yours, madam, the remedy is in
your hand. Tell him that my camp is
IN the Hemlock Den, and tonight he
can stab me in safety while Sleep"
with this dotted my cap to her and
scrambled up once more among the
sand hills. l do not know why. but
felt prodigious sense of injustice and
felt like hero and a martyr; while.
| as matter of fact, had not word
to say in my defense nor so much as
one plausible reason to offer for nv
conduct.
Next day she came out about the
same hour alone, and, as soon as the
sand hills concealed her from the pa
Vilion, drew nearer to the edge and
called me by name in guarded tones. I
was astonished to observe that she
was deadly pale, and seemingly under
the influence of strong emotion.
"Mr. Cassilis" she cried; "Mr. Cas-
silisw
appeared at once, and leaped down
upon the beach. A remarkable air of
relief overspread her countenance as
soon as she saw me.
oh! she cried, with hoarse
sound, like one whose bosom has been
lightened of weight. And then
THANK God, you are still safer she
added; II knew II you were you would
be here. Promise me that you will
sleep no longer in that wood. You
do not think how suffer; all last
night I could not sleep for thinking
Of. your peril"
"Peril?" I repeated. peril from
whom? From Northmour?"
mot So" she said. Did you think
would tell him after what you said ?"
'Not from Northmour?" 1 repeated.
"Then how? From whom? see none
to be afraid Of
you must not ask me-" was her re-
ply, "for am not free to tell you. Only
believe me, and go hence-believe me,
and go away quickly, quickly. for your
lifev'
An appeal to his alarm is never a
good plan to rid ones self of spirit
ed young man. My obstinacy was but
Increased by what she said, and
made it point of honor to remain.
And her solicitude for my safety still
more confirmed me in the resolve.
You must not think me inquisitive,
madam, :" replied; but If Graden is
SO dangerous place you yourself per-
haps remain here at some risk
She only looked at me reproach-.
fully