The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-03-28

my true position: but must rsnsem-
bcr my own, and respect its conditions.
It does not seem fitting to take your
gifts srd call you by your name whom
I am really your paid companion. We
are not on equal terms
1T seems to be as IL we were ON
very equal terms; both Of us are or
phans-at least. think you told me
that you had neither father nor mother
living"
Yes, they are both dead" said Jan
eta shortly.
And because happen to have more
money than you, why should you mind
If now and then it pleases me to give
you things? l have not many pleas
ures."
You don't really know me, you see.
In your generous, impulsive fashion,
you've invested me with various quail
tiles which, as you know me better,
you'll find do not possess"
You think my friendship is like
Jonah's gourd-that it will wither in
day or so.' said Clarice petulantly.
Whatever topic of conversation
might be started, Janetta noticed that
it always veered round to one or two
subjects-either Captain Merivale. or
the likelihood of Clarice's recovery.
With heart at leisure from itself,
she grew day by day more painfully
interested in what the future might
hold in store for the two whose love-
story was being enacted before her
eyes.
Sometimes she suspected that tho
passion of devotion must always have
been more on her side than his. His
manner to her was gracefully affection
ate; but for herself she felt that she
would have demanded something
warmer from the man she was going
to marry.
Il shall go to India with a much
easier mind now that know Clarice
has some one with her who will make
her life SO bright" said Captain Meri-
vale one afternoon, as they were re-
turning from a walk by the sea. ST. m
1T is good of you to say that" jan
eta answered. II need not assure
you that I'll do everything can to
make Miss Seymour happy. She's the
kindest friend I ever had, and I'm
glad I've got to know you so well.
like to think that, when she gets bet
ter and you marry, shall feel that
l may keep you both as friends"
l. Captain Merivale did not answer for
minute, and Janetta glanced up at
him a little uneasily, and saw that
he had turned rather white.
Yes he said carelessly, we've
been capital friends ever since we met
in that curious way on the railway,
and 1 pulled you through the window
Janetta felt puzzled and hurt by his
manner. His tone was studiedly in
different, and he referred pointedly to
what had been, rather than to what
might be in the future. She thought,
with bitter modification, that in her
eager sympathy with him and Clarice
she had proffered friendship which had
evidently been regarded as an impert-
inence
With all my boosted independence,
I've forgotten my position" she said
to herself reddening with vexation;
but her resolve was taken at the risk
| OF vexing Clarice, she would have no
more walks or talks with Captain
| Merivale
She did not make her way as usual
to Clarice's room that afternoon when
she came in from her walk. She felt
as in her inward annoyance might find
expression in her face She was con-
siderably surprised as she entered her
bedroom to hear the quick shutting Of
a drawer, and Mason, with some .ap-
pearance of confusion, began to close
the window and draw the blind.
Janetta was certainly not suspicious
by nature, but the girls manner made
her feel certain that she had been
tampering with her things.
(To be Continued.)