The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-10-03

gered slightly, az II from WEAKNESS,
ere she raised her hand and knocked
lightly upon the door, as was her, GUS
tom. His deep voice told her come in
and she entered. AS she did 30 she
started, for an unexpected sight met
her gaze. Pale and somewhat thin,
but fully clad, Weston sat in chair
by the window, with his head turned
expectantly. She made three rapid
steps toward him and paused rs he
rose easily, If slowly, and bowed to her
In most courteous respect. He stood
before her, six feet and an inch in
height, deep-chested and thin-aanked,
long-limbed, powerful and graceful, his
head proudly poised above his massive
shoulders, physically a model of a
man. The clothing which he had worn
when brought to the ranch had been
cleansed for him and the hole in coat
and shirt through which the bullet
had torn its way had been neatly
darned by one of the numerous Mex
lean seamstresses. She noted that it
was the typical frontier costume Of the
Mexicans, short, dark velvet coat,
brown silk shirt with low collar show
Ing the hollow at the base of his white
throat, dark trousers made Of heavy,
smooth French weaving and high
heeled boots. The only thing lacking
was the sombrero, which had been lost
In the river. About his middle was q
crimson scarf of silk such as his COM
rades were used to wear.
You should not have arisen, Mr..
Weston" she said hnrried1y. "You
are not yet strong. I should have for
hidden it if had known"
Surely" he replied with a smile,
"and 1 should have obeyed. Therefore
I did not let you know. I am stronger
than you think, however. The wound,
as you know, is nearly healed. "A man
much more badly hurt would grow
whole under such care as you have
given me-"
you are not strong enough" she
repeated steadily. "There was some
other reason. Why did you do it,"
Il was tired of the confinement"
THAT is not true. Tell nae the
truth?"' Her voice had taken on the
imperious tone of the physician to a
refractory patient. He smiled as if he
liked it, then said:
you would as well know, think.
The fact is, Miss English, 1 have noted
that your double duty is wearing you.
I know that many of your hours are
passed in the school-room and the time
that is left is spent in adding to my
comfort You have grown pale from
lack of accustomed exercise I would
be selfish beast, indeed, If I permit
ted tins for longer than would be nee
essary. In another day l shall tell Mr..
Glynn that 1 am ready for the off,
GERS. I shall give him my parole not
to attempt to escape and await their
arrival"
The girls next words were of vital
moment to her, though she did not
know it then. Long afterward she
looked back and realized their weight.
She said:
"He would not take your parole"
What" Weston's eyes had grown
a shade darker and his strong jaw
set.
HE would not take your parole. l
have heard him say so. The moment
he thinks you strong enough to travel,
and therefore strong enough to at
tempt to escape, he will place a guard
in the room and notify the officers.
Remember he does not know you at
ALL"
II remember that to his credit" was
the reply, "but shall not offer him a
parole he would refuse, I shall not no.
tify him of my condition and I shall
attempt to escape, if escape seems pos
sible. Where am to go, though, and
what I am to do is dark to me. MY
old life is broken; it is behind me:
since knowing you, I would not re-
turn to it; such action would be a des-
ecration of your memory. By my Of
lenses my country is barred to me. /
know of no career to which a man of
my age could devote himself. Besides
any career in any land but this would
separate me far from you"