The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1903-07-03

| hapless child in her arms, his be.
smudged face and tousled head nes-
thing against the dainty wilderness Of
her gown, as she endeavored to soothe
him, and to still the strange outburst
| which was so distressing and so dis.
concerting to his unhappy father.
| Could it be that the sullen, malevo.
lent nature had capacity for feeling of
| which he had never dreamed? Or, was
this but physical manifestation of
! nervousness and terror?
"My boy! My boy!" he began, sooth.
ingly. BE quiet! The doctor is go
| ing to set your shoulder. Surely, you
do not mind little thing like that?'
he asked, recalling the child's life.
time Of accidents.
| Welcome ceased his cries for an in
slant and then renewed them.
"Oh have been bad, bad boy!"
he whimpered, with astonishing peni.
tence. But I'm never, never going to
be bad any more!"
"That is laudable resolution, my
SOM" his father responded with mild
irony. pity you did not think to make
| it earlier!" and he glanced grimly at
the wrecked automobile, and thought
Of his spoiled plans.
I'm never going to be bad-if you
give me something" whimpered the
boy again.
"My son! 1 forbear to mention what
I'd give you with huge delight, if l
gave you your deserts!" exclaimed the
sorely tried father; while Mrs. Garlic
ton smiled.
"I'll be good" the child astonished
them by declaring, eff only get a
new mammal"
Their eyes met in confusion.
'I'm the only boy round here that
amt got no mamma" announced the
child, with cheerful impudence and
! disregard of grammar, land I want
one!" he persisted. Il want Mrs. earle.
toni
"My boy, this is the first good turn
you have done your unfortunate faith
er since your BIRTH" blurted out Adel-
bert Nye, with surprising alacrity
"You have but anticipated my own re-
quest!" and he smiled upon the boy
most genially. ''Now if only Mrs.
Carleton consents"
"But thought" that lady be.
gan, in confusion.
ooh, I want you! l want you!" the
elfin child persisted, tightening his
arm desperately about her neck. ell
be good boy! I truly Wilt"
The doctor was arranging his splints
at the end of the veranda. Archie and
Louise had Joined the curious group on
the opposite side of the street.
1t was an opportunity afforded them
by Fate!
Leila" the dignifed barrister be-
gan in tender whisper, "the child has
but voiced my own thoughts! You
know what you were to me once! For
your dear sake l have learned to love
your daughter as my own. She cares
for young Irwin; I am in way to
help the boy along. For all our sakes,
then, will you not consent?'
ut seems but fair" she responded
slowly and calmly. although she felt
tudC ut muSI Ue aware Ol me IudO
beating of her heart, "to exchange my
daughter for your SOM"
Leila, know it is long time since
that far-off September day when we
gathered the gentians in the old pas
ture lot, and vowed"
Cali ready now, young mani" broke
in the Doctors CHEEKY voice, as he hur-
ried fussily up with full hands. "Now
let's see what hero you're going to
be!"' ILL.,.
But the child pushed him rudely
away, at the same time inquiring, in
the imperious tone Of one who had
never known what it was to have his
wishes gainsaid:
us it all right, papa?"
"That is for Mrs. Carleton to de-
eide, my son! Is it all right, Mrs.
Carleton?' he inquired lightly, yet
with unmistakable anxiety in his tone.
Two little spots of red burned upon
her cheeks, and she hesitated.
Surely, never was so strange a pro-
posal!
s'You arc going to be MY" the