The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1901-08-16

first thing he did
was to send note to the earl, saying
that all difficulty was removed; his
daughter had consented; the only
thing remaining was for him to ask
her to settle the wedding day.
Lord Caraven read it through, then
crushed 1t in his hands, and finally
tore it into shreds and threw it under
his feet. He had not brought himself
to a proper state of submission yet.
He would have given the whole world
to escape from Arley Ransome; but
the choice was plain enough-ruin,
shame, despair, or marriage with the
dark-eyed girl who was mot his STYLE"
and whom he was quite sure he should
never like.
The marriage should take. place in
due course. The Ranspmles had as 1t
We're drawn him-nay forced, him
into it; the consequences must recoils
on themselves. In his own mind he
considered the daughter quite as bad
as the father-indeed he made little
distinction between them. The union
OF scruple. They wanted his title, he
wanted their money. He would be
civil to them, they could not expect
more. aE
On that evening Hildred Ransome
received letter and ring. The en-
velope bore crest and she knew at
once that it was from Lord Caraven.
The contents were short, but to the
purpose; it was not love letter, for
there was no semblance of love in it.
"My Dear Miss Ransome: have to
: thank you for your consent to my
then came a word that had been care
fully obliterated and wishes" written
over it. with your permission will
call tomorrow. have sent you an en-
gagement ring-will you wear it?
am yours".here there was an illegi-
bic word
"ULRIC CARAVEN."
i She laid the letter down with sigh
and smile. She had fancied that
love letter would be very different.
She opened the little parcel that ac-
companied the note; it contained a
magnificent diamond ring-her engage
ment ring. She placed it on her fin
ger, and the sun falling on it made it
shine like fire. Still, as she looked at
: 1T, her eyes filled with tears. She
would have liked some one to put the
ring on her finger; although she was
engaged to be married, and was to
be countess, she felt very lonely
and desolate. ~
Arley Ransome smiled when he saw
the ring. At least it was an earnest
of good things to come.
VERY nice, very appropriate" said
the Theoretically ring suitable
for the coming Lady Caraven."
The day after brought Lord Caraven
himself
That interview was something to be
remembered. Mr.. Ransome, hoping to
make matters smooth and pleasant,
had invited his future son-in-law to
dine with him, and that he might not
feel dull had asked the humorous and
brilliant talker Mr.. Carwey to join
them.
the actual presence of her lover seemed
to strike Hildred dumb. She looked
at him whenever she found that he
was looking elsewhere. She thought
him very handsome. His indolent,
careless grace contrasted so favorably
with her fathers sharp, brisk manner.
She wondered why the earl looked
worn and haggard. He was only
twenty-eight, her father said. She
wondered, too, why he was not more
empresse in his manner. He took her
down to dinner, and the only words
they exchanged were about the warmth
of the day. During dinner they never
spoke, save for the most ordinary civ
ilities. When dinner was over, the
earl evidently preferred the society of
Mr. Carwey to hers.
'rWhy had he asked to marry her if
he did not care to talk to her?" she
said to herself. 'How strange It
was" Then her father invited Mr..
CARNEY to have a game at chess, and
the earl walked slowly across the
rooom to where she was sitting. He
stood by her side, tall, stately, de-
spite his indolent grace of manner.
Her heart beat. What was he going
y to say? He bent his head somewhat
1tifly.
III Il have to thank you, Miss RAN
Some." he said, for honering me by
t wearing my ring"
She looked up at him, and there was
4 somsthing in the calm gaze OF the
pure eyes before which he shrank as
3 her father had done. II * ssa.
You wished ME to wear II, did you
mott" she asked. my father thought
q %. Z .s3 81
Certainly. 4 an deli hted. 81 B.
Isygas ~ would. 10 could not con:
\ ssai q tone ~ irony. She detected Il
]. ~ I6o1e IL 8 "a ae,ain. He bowed
4 and u
III ~ fostunats indeed. I tays n
4 - ~ lllss 4 s : one, no. thst yos