The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-02-28

Il am not ct all sure that my daugh-
y viii sec you," said Arley Ransome.
must say that she has been cruelty
treated. You are peer Of the realm,
Lord Caraven, and have you behaved
a. Z gentleman to my child? Have
you treated her with courtesy or affec-
ho11" ...
let me 90 to her at once said
Lord Caraven. do not be hard on
me, Mr.. Ransome-I have had great
deal to suffer-" And these few words
dissrmed the lawyer.
They went together to Hildred's
esem. Arley Ransome spoke first.
~Hfldred, I have something very
particular to say to you-open the
door"
There was not southland Lord
Garaven began to feel Slightly alarmed.
Hiidred," cried the father, x have
q message from your husband
Still there was no sound, and, unable
60 control himself, the earl cried out:
Mildred, for heavens sake, speak
TO me! Let me in-I want to see
you1"
The sound Of his voice seemed to
aAye an electric effect upon her. The
0axt moment she turned the key in
4he lock and opened wide the door.
With cry of fear and surprise he
started back when he saw her. He
Aad seen her lately so beautiful, so ra-
dtant-now her long black hair hung
I'm disorder over her shoulders; her
face was pale and stained with tears,
her eyes we're dim, her lips white. He
hardly knew her.
'H1tdred." he cried. She looked at
him with dim, sad eyes.
"You!" she said. SIS it you who
thought me guilty of murder?'
Lord Caraven turned to Arley Ran
como.
Leave me alone with her." he said
'<I have much to say"
Mr.. Ransome went away. The earl
catered the room and closed the door.
Tie went to his wife, holding out both
als hands.
will you forgive me?" he said. II
can never pardon myself"
But she shrank from him.
You believe that committed muir
DER" she answered. "No, can not
couch your hands,"
"Hfldred, listen. 1t was almost all
your own fault-you said you were
guilty"
Not Of murder" she rejolned. "I
could not have supposed that you
would think me capable of that, much
a. you dislike me-"
Il do not dislike you, Hildred,'' said
che earl, III voice FULL OF emotion,
end L am indeed grieved at having
offended you. Do not refuse to pardon
enc"
There can be no pardon, my lord, for
che wrong you have done me-" she re-
piled.
And then the earl knew that, if ever
ne won his wife's pardon, it would be
q work Of patience and of time.
He sszed anxiously at her. She look
cd pale and wan, with the stains Of
6ftter weeping on her face He saw,
600. that she shivered like one seized
with mortal cold.
"Eildred,'' he cried, edo forgive me
you do not know how grieved 1 am
TO see you like this. want to tell you
hnw tho misunderstanding happened.
VIII you listen?"
eyes" she replied, mechanically; and
shs sat silent and motionless while he
sotd her the story. She looked at him
when 1t was ended with dull. din,
eyes.
II am very sorry" she said, ''that
Bf&ntyre made the mistake I almost
wish that he had shot me through the
hsart. What have to live for?"
Z eould not spare you, Hildred-you
hGve been the good angel of my life!"
ne cried.
~You would be better without me.
Tazr estates are free and unincum bered
aow-you have reused yourself to
sense Of your duties-you know how to
perform them. am Of no more use
{ an sorry tina an Blantyre missed
dis aim"
This is not like you, Hildred. Where
u your bright energy, your hope, your
cheerful animation"
She clasped her hands with shud-
der. s..
r am SICK" she said; ''sick with a
Asrrible despair"
He was at a loss what to say to her
che seemed immovable Suddenly her
Eace flushed, and bright light came
into the eyes that had been so dim.
"You sent me from your house, Lord
Eareyen. and pronounced me guilty on
wEEt seems to me very slight evidence.
InHy claim to be at least as credulous
- yourself, yet declare that had any
80 accused you Of murder should not
Aeve believed it. You judged me gull
" Ct once guilty Of trying to murder
~. who never in my life trampled
sSsa upon q worm. Why should you
heve thought that wished Lady Ham
tlton deAd?'
He looked slightly confused.
Ysu remember that you told me
thA4 sou were jealous Of herr" he re-
pl5el
-Jsaious." she repeated, drearily.