The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1901-02-15


She had pretty little brass stand
. tray. spirit lamp and kettle, and with
this apparatus she always made the
tea herself with much pride, and some
help from Dick. 1t generally fell to
Dicks lot to light the lamp, but to-
day she was all ready for him. and
had but to turn up the light little
to have the water boiling.
There" she said, after about five
minutes" and handing him cup of
tea. Now tell me everything"
WELL" said Dick, finding himself
thus fairly up in a corner, and unable
to put off the evil moment any longer,
II went"
"Yes?" eagerly.
And saw her ladyship."
ooh! and is she up?"
| up! My dear child, Lady Aylmer
is as we'll as am" he answered.
Dorothy looked at him in wonder.
oh! Dick" she cried, "but what a
wicked old man."
All! l fancy it runs in the BLOOD %
said Dick, easily. Zone man couldn't
have so much original sin of his own
as the old savage has; it must be he
redity."
"Then do you think you will tell
horribly wicked stories when you are
Lord Aylmer, Dick?" she asked, ro-
guishly.
"Perhaps-who knows? All the same
there is one story I shall never tell
you" drawing her tenderly toward
him. II shall always be true as the
Gospels when I tell you that love
you better than any other woman in
Ill the world
Something in his voice touched the
tenderest chords of her heart, and set
Nthrobbing and beating with a sicken-
Ing sensation of fear. "Dick," she
said in a whisper, "is it very bad news
that you are trying to break to me-
does 1T mean India, after all?"
Dick looked straight into her clear
eyes. my dear little love-" he said,
Il am afraid it does mean India, after
all; but If it does, it shall mean India
for us both.''
He told her everything then-how
Lady Aylmer had received him, how
she had openly declared that her hus-
band had some scheme of his own to
Eget rid of them both, how the old saw
age had received him, and what end
their interview had come to- But, of
| course" he wound up, although l
took time-to. consider it, my mind was
made up in a moment 1 shall refuse
the appointment
There was a moments silence.
"Dick, dearest" said Dorothy, III Il
quivering voice, 'is it very good
thing to be a military secretary to a
governor-general?"
[ ooh, well-yes-it is, DEAR" he ad-
mitted.
II mean, would you have refused it
IT you had not been married, if you
had never seen me?"
"No, don't suppose I should. dare
say should never have bothered to
get such an appointment, because, as
you know, I hate the very idea of 60
ing to India, but, at the same time,
to be quite honest, l don't suppose l
should have refused. l don't suppose
any man in his senses would"
Dorothy drew her breath sharply,
and for minute or two did not speak.
Dick, darling" she said at length, cit
Is true that you are married, but l
don't see that that is any reason why
you should not be in your senses, tco.''
What do you mean, Dorothy?" he
asked quickly.
| well, just this. Supposing that
Lord Aylmer had let you refuse this
appointment, and had not made himself
disagreeable about your allowance, we
should have to go on just as we are
doing now. And, Of course, Dick dear
should like to be Mrs. Aylmer instead
of Mrs. Harris, and to live with the
regiment rather than in Palace Man.
sions; but but, at the same time, since
4 there is SO much to be gained by it
you'd just as soon be Mrs. Harris il
one place as in another, il must bt
Mrs. Harris at all"
| Dick caught her close to him. ..Do
rothy, you mean" he began,
Il mean she ended firmly, chat
would sooner go to India as Mrs. Har
ris than drag you down in your pro
fession. and put you at loggerhead,
with your uncle; because he is you
uncle. and the head of your family
even though he is such an old savag
as he Is. Z
'But. my dear, my dear. do 70,
know that in that case should ,hav
to GO at once" ne cried.
& Eyes, ] know that. Dick !" she an
swered. ss
But / cant leave you alone, Jus
81 now--I cant Dorothy, !" he exclaimed
H tits impossible; 1t would be inhuma1
Why, i should be out of my mind wit
anxiety and distress" Ii. u + 81
4. No, no You would know that VIC
proud and happy to be able to
something TO help you. Z she replies
Il would rather that you were here
but, then, i would always rather Thu
you were here. That Is not q newsfee
Ing for me. And I shall not be aion
shan have Barbara, yyon know. sBal
II bafa MIL take care suf me. ana let Va