The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1903-11-12
Copyright, 1909, by J. B. Lippincott Company.
CHATTER XIII.-CONTINUED.

lIer guest looked at her somewhat
suspiciously. Such graciousness from
such q source was too unexpected to
be received without reservation, yet
lie was not to be outdone in courtesy.
"Ah, madam" he said, as he bent to
kiss her hand, you little know what
q pleasure it is to me to receive SO
kind a welcome at your hands, IT'S
doubly precious; first, because it
comes from your sweet self and,
second, because it leads me to believe
that you will extend the welcome to
embrace me not only as your guest
but as your nephew. Doubtless your
lliece, wEo 1 see by her horse without
The gate is now with you, has already
acquainted you with the happiness
she has bestowed upon me in consent
ing to become my wife. I am here to
claim the consummation of that
promise. Advices from my general,
CORVALLIS, tell me that our army is
to move and that my detachment may
be sent into North Carolina. I fear,
therefore, it may be many days, nay,
months, before the fortunes of war
permit me to return hither, aSad ]
cannot leave without knowing that
your niece is under the protesaionso OF
snaIne. My good ehapfainI s with
out, prepared to make us one, and<1
have but to the hospitaffTy&2f
your roof. and the boon of your bless
ing for the completion of our happi-
ness"
"You cannot mean," Mrs. Ellery
cried, that you expect to marry Jane
here-now? My good man, you are
out of your Senses"
"Nay, my dear madam, never more
in them, I assure you. Love is a great
sharpener of wits"
Maybe SO, when it has any to work
en-" his hostess retorted with
asperity, fiinging aside her role of
affability, "but you will find yourself
upon a fools errand. Jane is in no
mood for marrying, I trow."
"We will allow Mistress Jane to
decide that for herself. May I trouble
you to call her?"
Eyes, right gladly will I call her
and let her rebuke your insolence
as it deserves" She stepped to the
hall door. "Jane, child, come here.
Col. Bessener wishes to speak with
YOU.
Jane was a%stonished that her aunt
should summon her, but she pre-
sumed there must be some urgent
cause-a message from her father
and mother OF her brother, for she
had seen through the window that
Edward was not with the officers;
therefore she stepped from the room
into the hall. Catching sight of her,
Bessemer went swiftly forward and
took her hand.
II have come" he said, bending his
head and speaking in a low tone, "to
claim the promise you made me. My
chaplain is without, prepared to
marry us. Dispatches from my gen
cral, CORVALLIS, as I have explained
to your aunt, necessitate my immedi-
ate departure. 1 cannot leave with
out knowing that you are surely
mine, bound to me by the sacred
ties of matrimony."
Jane recoiled. "You cannot mean"
she exclaimed, that you have come
to marry me now"
"And why not? Was it not to be
when / ehose?"
True; bat surely you will give me
cor time. My father, my mother.
eyen my brother, are not here. You
would not have me marry without
their presence? No; 1 am confident
you have but said this to test my 10y
atty to my promise"
And if 1 had" he sneered, cit
would seem the test has proven a
severe strain; that the tension. has
brought your promise to the break
iDg-point."
"You wrong me-" she n vercd. "T
nm ready to keep my promise. but !
bad expected more charity in time"
"Yet, as l recollect it, there wa no
question nf time in our compact save
such time as should be Of my choos-
"Ilat is SO; and yet ] am sure you !