The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1903-06-05

| a very simple, very quiet affair. In
deed, it had quite taken the little COM
nunity of the garrison station by sur
prise, for Dons disposition was so nat
urally reserved. He had spoken little
of his engagement, and only a few
brother officers and a small number
of Lilies personal friends were in the
secret.
The bridegroom had obtained 'tlong
leave" and with great reluctance had
at last yielded to Lilies appeal to
spend the honeymoon in England.
He had given in on the one stipula-
ton that Gadie Ha' should not be in
cluded in the program; and Lille, with
that touch of sympathy (which makes
the whole world kim" understood the
jealous pain it must bring to remem-
Der that Scottish home of his child
hood which he had looked some day to
call his own.
The winding up of her fathers af-
fairs, and the disposal of some of her
own property was indeed her only in
centive for the homeward journey at
all; for. with the bond of ever-deepen-
ing love, her life henceforth would be
lived for Don alone.
1t seemed strange, commonplace
ending to that gay existence of coquet-
ry and ambition and almost heartless
worldliness which once had constituted
the sum, total of her thoughts and
actions.
AS Lille Gordon stood in her pretty
bedroom, watching her maid pack
away the simple white silk gown she
had worn for the marriage ceremony,
her thoughts leaped back to those days
of long ago, and it seemed scarcely pus-
sible she could be the same Lille who
had held love so lightly in that bygone
time.
The wedding had taken place at S
o'clock, with no reception afterwards,
owing to the brides deep mourning.
The previous night Don had partak-
en- of his farewell dinner as a bachelor
with his jolly comrades of the Derby
shire mess, and now was absent max
ing some last necessary ARRANGEMENTS
at his quarters. as he and his bride
were to leave by the night train for
Bombay, where they would catch Il
hired troopship homeward bound
There was a knock at the bedroom
door, and Mrs. Franklin's sweet voice
sought admittance
The young widow was to stay on at
the bungalow for few weeks longer,
as her child's health was in too pre-
carious state to undergo the long sea
journey home, and she had gladly &C.
cepted Lilies invitation to remain.
Lille answered the knock herself.
Despite the black crepe gown she now
wore, the young bride looked radiant,
with subdued happiness that made all
else forgotten but the joyous beauty
of her blue eyes and love-lit face The
other woman, who had lost her dearest
on earth, looked at her with mo-
mentary pang of jealous grief She lit
tie knew she was coming to chase the
joy from those blue eyes forever.
my love-" Mrs. Franklin spoke apol-
ogetically, II am so sorry to trouble
you, but Prince Clement Sing has just
arrived from Simla, and demands to
see you. l explained to him yon were
busy, and asked if l could not deliver
a message; but he insists on seeing you
alone"
HAS he heard of our-our mar
riage?" queried Lille, while a deeper
color tinted her cheek.
eyes. He evidently knew of it, for
he spoke of you as Mrs. Gordon" an
swered the other lady, smiling. 81
think, dear, perhaps it would be more
diplomatic of you to go to him. To
tell the truth, he was so emphatic
about seeing you he quite frightened
me-"
He will not brighten me-" said Lii
lie, lightly. Really, he is very tire
some individual, and hope 1 shall get
rid of him before Don comes back, for
know Don cordially dislikes him.
She picked up an ivory fan from her
dressing table and went, with proud,
firm step, down the broad staircase.
Her dignity as Don's wife seemed to
have already added subtle increase of
matronly power to her slim, young
figure.
Prince Clement Sing was standing in
the middle of the big drawing-room,
and the look on his face made her step
falter in spite of herself-it was dark
and almost lowering with suppressed
fury. Then she recovered her self-pos-
session with an effort, and went for
ward with a pretty obeisance and out
stretched hand.
This is an unexpected pleasure,
Prince; and had you come a little later
you would not have found me here.
My husband and start for Bombay To-
night
Il fear you will not count it pleas
ure when you hear on what errand I
have come" he answered grimly. II
only regret for your sake that have
come too late"
May I ask what you mean?" she
said, somewhat haughtily !.
Il mean, madam, know you sum-
GENTLY well to feel sure you would
have hesitated to ally yourself to one
i whom Won would fool n MT ysyorfhv m