The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-03-21


ct on there tonight. don't know
whore this frolicsome engine has
chosen to deposit us, but we must be
ak least 10 miles away from North
GIN"
3 Janetta gave an involuntary start;
The mans destination was the same as
her own.
You can take my dogcart, If you
ike It's at house hard by. I've
q case there that will detain me for
Che night" rejoined the doctor CURLY.
Thanks, ever so much. I believe
I'll be of then. Your patient is open
ing her eyes; the rest of the passen-
gers seem sorting themselves. Let me
see. there's child that belongs to this
woman somewhere" And. glancing
round. he saw Janetta, faithful to her
trust, seated on the bank with the
child he sought in her arms.
He smiled and lifted his hat.
let me relieve you Of your burden
he said. certain tenderness in his
voice as he looked at the little child.
There. don't cry"-to the little one
n1amMy's all right"
He carried it of as gently as a
woman would have done; then he re-
turned to Janetta, standing by her
with a certain hesitation.
Il have turned up friend here who
Eindiy offers his dogcart to forward
the to my destination. Can be of
any service to you? I expect there
will be train presently to carry on
the passengers. Is it an impertinence
TO ask where you are going?"
Janetta rose, with feeling of stiff
ness In her limbs and some unsteadi-
ness OF motion. The shock had half
1azed her. "I'm going to the Grange,
Northelih," she said
How very odd! I'm bound for the
anne place. Under the circumstances,
We had better go on together. I'll
speak to Drake about 1t. Sit down
again a minute. You look as if the
accident had been too much for your
uerves," he said, smiling pleasantly.
Kindly tell me your name, and I'll
$50 TINT your luggage and my own are
forwarded to us later"
I'm Miss Howard"
"Thank you. Then I'll see If there
IS luggage for the names of Howard
end Mertvale to be rescued from the
debris, and then we'll get on as fast
as we can. AS Miss Seymour is deli
cate, it might be serious if she heard
rumors of an accident to our train be-
eore We arrived.
Invalid" calculated Janetta, as her
preparations; land 1 should not won
dor 5f this Mr.. Merivale were nephew
Ce the old lady. Very likely has eX-
pecsat{ons!"
Once fairly started in the brisk
evening air, Janetta's courage and
spirits began to revive, and she could
hardly help smiling at the curious po-
-sftion Tn which she found herself, seat
ed side by side with complete stran-
-ger in borrowed dogcart, going to
Eady OF whom she knew absolutely
nothing but the name.
1t is certainly curious coincidence
that you and should be bound for
the same house." began Mr.. Merivale;
but 1t Is still more curious to me that,
aften as am down at the Grange, l
have not heard your name mentioned
before"
THAT is easily explained an
swered Miss Seymour's advertisement
fnr a companion, and she is kind
enough to give me trial. We have
not met" said Janetta simply.
Her companion turned quickly, and,
In the half light, gave swift, scruti-
mixing glance, accompanied by smile,
Of which Janetta found it hard to ex-
plain the meaning. 1t was half
amused and half incredulous. He made
go sort Of comment upon her explana-
Ston, but turned the conversation rap
idly to other channels.
He knows all about that eccentric
old lady's advertisement" she thought.
Mr.. Merivale chatted away so agree
ABLY on many topics and the ten miles
drive passed SO quickly that Janetta
gave q little start of establishment
when Mr.. Merivale pointed with his
whip to the twinkling lights of the
little harbor, and told her that they
were within half mile of their des-
tfnation.
It was quite dark as they drove
through the cobbled streets of the
Httle town; then, by sharp ascent,
they climbed the hill just outside it,
sRd, turning into drivegate set open
to receive them, drew up at the door
at . long, low, irregularly built house.
Mr.. Merivale jumped to the ground
Gnd threw the reins to the groom,
gently lifting Janetta out Of the cart
Tho next instant they were admitted
By an extremely smart parlormaid into
tho low, oak-pannelled hall, where a
lag -are blazed cheerily on the hearth
a lady Of between sixty and seventy
whose gown rustled as she moved, ad-
S1nced to meet her.
Allow me to introduce Miss How
ard." said Mr.. Merivale.
CHAPTER III.
$3.50 yanetta's heart sank. The stern TEA
trss OF the lady to whom she was in
49, - -