The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1901-05-17
CHAPTER /.

was q great solitary when was
1uunE. made it my pride to keep
.aIoOf and suffice for my own entertain
ment, and may say that had
neither friends nor acquainta..ceA until
I met that friend who became my
wife and the mother Of my children.
With one man only was on private
terms. This was r. Northmour, Esq,
Of Garden Easter, in Scotland. We had
met at college, and though there was
not much liking between us nor even
much intimacy, we were SO much Of a
humor that we could associate with
ease to both. Misanthropes we believ-
ed ourselves to be, but have thought
ssiRce that we were only sulky fellows.
1t was scarcely companionship, but
q co-existence in unsociability. North
nour's exceptional violence of temper
made it no easy affair for him to keep
the peace with any one but me; and as
he respected my silent ways and let me
come and go as pleased, 1 could toll
crate his presence without concern. l
think we called each other friends.
When Northmour took his degree,
and decided to leave the university
visit to Graden Easter, and it was thus
that I first became acquainted with
the scene of my adventures. The man
sion house of Graden stood in bleak
stretch of country some three miles
from the shore Of the German ocean.
It was as large as barrack, and as it
had been built of soft stone liable to
consume in the eager air of the seaside,
It was damp and draughty within and
half ruinous without. 1t was impossi-
bic for two men to lodge with comfort
I'm such dwelling.
But there stood in the northern Fart
rof the estate, in wilderness of links
and blowing sandhills and between a
plantation and the sea, a small pavilion
or Belvedere of modern design, which
was exactly suited to our wants, and in
this hermitage, speaking little, reading
much. and rarely associating except at
meals, Northmour and spent four
tempestuous winter months. might
have stayed longer, but one March
might there sprang up between us a
dispute which rendered my departure
necessary. Northmour spoke hotly,
remember, and suppose must have
made some tart rejoinder.
He leaped from his chair and Crap
Died me; had to fight, without exag-
>geration, for my life, and it was only
With . great effort that mastered him,
Tor he was near as strong in body as
myself and seemed filled with the devil.
The next morning we met on our usual
terms, but judged it more delicate to
WHhdraw, nor did he attempt to dis
.suade me.
1t was nine years before revisited
the neighborhood. I Travelled at that
time with tilt cart, a tent, and
cooking stove, tramping all day beside
the wagon and at night, whenever it
was possible, gypsying in cove of the
!nflls or by the side of a wood. 1 be-
We've I visited in this manner most of
the wild and desolate regions both in
England and Scotland, and as l had
aeither. friends nor relations l was
troubled with no correspondence, and
had nothing in the nature of headquar-
ters. unless it was the office of my So
lfcitors, from whom drew my income
twice year. 1t was life in which l
delighted, and fully thought to have
grown old upon the march and at last
died in ditch.
1T was my whole business to find des-
0late corners where could camp with
out the fear of interruption, and hence
5efng in another part of the same shire
II bethought me suddenly of the Pavil-
ION on the Links. No thoroughfare
lDassed within three miles of it. The
nearest town, and that was but fisher
village, was at a distance of six or
seven.
The pavilion stood on an even space;
II little behind it, the wood began in a
hedge of elders huddled together by
the wind; in front, a few tumbled
sand hills stood between it and the sea.
An outcropping OF rock had formed a
'bastton for the sand, SO that there was
here promontory in the coast line
between two shallow bays; and just
beyond the tides, the rock again crop
ped out and formed an islet of small
Dimensions but strikingly designed.
The pavilion-it had been built by
the last proprietor, Northmour's uncle,
Q silly and prodigal virtuoso-
little signs Of age. 1t was two stories
In height, Italian in design, surround
ed by a patch of garden in which moth
ing had prospered but a few coarse
covers, and looked, with its shattered
windows, not like house that had been
tsnanted by man. Northmour was
liainly from home; whether, as usual
-saiking In the cabin of his yacht, OF
IN one ofshis fitful and extravagant ap.
,Dsarances in the world Of society. had
.of course, no means OF guessing.
found a den. or small hollow, where
there was spring OF pure water, ant
tiAare, clearing away the brambles.
stitched the tent and made fire to cool
eaay supper. Ny horse / picketed farth
- In theswood where there was patel
q sward The banks OF the den no
ely concealed the light OF my fire, bu
-.