The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1903-08-14

than foolishly adoring. He l.:u ,.ui
been gone two days before she lad al.
swered her own question with deciu.
ed "No," and, further, had made UP
her mind that when he came again
she would not flout his loSemaking, no
matter how earnest it might be. She
could not Of course admit even to her
image in the mirror how impossible
she found it to get him out of mind,
nor how long and dull the short winter
days were now that he no longer
claimed much more than half of them.
Somehow she had fancy that he
would surely come back for Christmas.
Her father, she knew, had pressed him,
and she herself had smiled invitation,
though she had said nOthi!". outright.
But it took her all abacll to live Peggy
Glenn run in and say: "Only think. Ber-
ry! All of us wasted our sweetness on
an engaged man! Frank Ensley is
wretch of the first water! Brother Jack
has letter from him saying, 4 expect
to be married early in the new year, so
will gladly let Ashcroft delights beguile
my impatience for the happy day.
Now, what do you tn ak Of that?"
ooh, that it is-characteristic," Ber-
nice said, the least possible break in
her voice. Peggy stared hard. "Jack
must be right after ALL" she said. 81
was dead sure Ensley was counting you
hard, but that brother Of mine said all
along you were only chums."
"Jack is good fellow and discrimi-
nating," Bernice said, smiling, although
she saw things through mist and felt
her pulses beat all over. Somehow she
held herself steady until Peggy went
off to spread the news. How she fought
through the next hour only the soul Of
infinite compassion will ever know.
The news came in mid December.
Ensley was to follow It, The day be-
fore Christmas Bernice had herself well
in hand. She loved him, faced the
knowledge Of it as became thorough
bred and was resolved to break her
heart, If it needs must break, with
laughing lips. She would wish him
joy, clear eyed, clear voiced. She would
even affect to have discerned his estate
Of bondage and claim to have saved
him from farce comedy perfdy. Not
withstanding, twilight Of the winter
solstice found her very low and miser
able. The day had been lowering and
sodden, full Of gusty rains and shrek
ing elfin blasts BY way of offsetting
the gloom Squire Elton had heaped
logs on the big andirons and lighted all
the candles in the big silver sconces
Then he had hustled off to see after
some Of his poor neighbors. Bernice
was alone except for the servants,
who had been there ever since she was
born. She sat, wan and dropping, star
ing into the heart of the fire as Ensley
came noiselessly through the door,
II will not offer penny for your
thoughts. l know exactly what they
are" he said, stepping to her side, but
not Offering his hand. you are con-
ming the pretty speech you mean to
make me. That Is wrong. You should
not felicitate me until you hear whom I
am going to marry"
lis there more against her than hav-
ing accepted you?" Bernice asked, with
a fash Of her old spirit. He stopped
and half lifted her to her feet before
answering. "She is that impossible
she, the sum of all projections in wo-
man." e..
Indeed! How did you prevail? Was
1t the attraction Of oppositesT' Bernics
asked, trying to speak saucily, though
her heart beat like triphammer. "And,
further, what's her name, and where's
her homer
"Her home is here" Ensley said,
drawing her close to his breast. "As
for her name, it is the very sweetest In
the world, but I believe she likes best
to be called the beauty of Ashcroft"