The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1904-08-26
Copyright, 1900, by Amelia E. Barb

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we shall worry and fret, all our op-
position will come to nothing. In a
few days Arenta will have gone away,
and as for Hyde, any hour may sum-
mon him to join his father in Eng
land; and this summons, as it will in
clude his mother, he can neither evade
nor put off. Then Rem will have his
opportunity"
ITO be patient-to wait-to say
nothing-it is to give opportunity too
much scope"
Time and absence against any love
affair that is not destiny! And if it
be destiny, there is only submission,
nothing else. But life has a maybe
in everything dear; a maybe that is
just as likely to please us as not"
Then Doctor John looked up with a
smile. "You are right, Ava" he said
cheerfully. 81 will take the maybe.
Maybes have deal to do with life.
Yet, take my word for it. there is,
think, 10 maybe in Rem's chances
with Cornelia'
I'VE shall see. think there is"
Rem, with the blunt directness Of
his nature, watched with jealous dis
like, and often with rude impatience,
the familiar intercourse which his
aunt's paltiality permitted Hyde. He
was, indeed. often so rude that a less
sweet-tempered, a less just youth than
George Hyde would have pointedly re-
sented many Offences that he passed
by with that noble not caring" which
is often the truest courage.
But wrath covered carries fate.
Every one was in some measure cor
scious CT danger ard glad when the
wedding day approached. Even Arcc-
ia had grown a little weary OF the
prolonged excitement she had pro-
voked, for everything had gone 50
we'll with her that she had taken the
public very much into her confidence.
And, as if to add tie last touch of
glory to the event. just week be-
fore Arenta's nuptia!s a French armed
frigate came to New York bearing
dispatches for the Count de Moustier,
and the Marquis de Tounnerre was
selected to bear back to France the
Minister'S message. So the marriage
was put forward few days for this
end, and Arenta in the most unexpect-
ed way obtained the bridal journey
which she desired, and also with it
the advantage Of entering France in
semi-public and stately manner.
81 am the luckiest girl in the
world" she said to Cornelia and her
brother when this point had been de-
cided. They were tying up dream
coke" for the wedding guests in
madame's queer, uncanny drawing
room as she spoke, and the words
were yet on her lips when madame
entered with a sandal wood box in
her hands.
REM" she said, ego with Cornelia
into the dining room for a few min
utes. l have something to say to
Arenta that concerns no one else"
AS soon as they were alone madame
opened the box and upon a white vel
vet cushion lay the string of oriental
pearls which Arelta on certain occa-
sions had been permitted to wear.
Arenta's eyes flashed with delight.
With an intense desire and interest
she looked at the beautiful beads, but
madame's face was troubled and SOM
Der, and she said almost reluctantly:
"Arenta, am going to make you an
offer. This necklace will be yours
when l die, at any rate; but think
there is in your heart wish to have
it now. And as you are going to what
is left Of the French court, will give
it to you now, if the gift will be to
your mind"
There is nothing that could be
more to my mind, dear aunt. You
always know what is in a young girls
heart"
First, listen to what say. No
woman Of our family has escaped cal
amity of some kind, if they owned
these beads. My mother lost her hus-
band the year she received them. My
Aunt Hildegarde lost her fortune a.
soon as they were hers. AS for my
self, they very day the became mine
our Uncle Jacobus sailed away and
he has never come back Are you
not afraid Of such fatality?"
mo, l am not. What power can
few beads have over human life or
happiness? To say so, to think SO.
is foolishness.i
Il know not. Yet have heard that
both pearls and opals have the power
to attract to themselves the ill for
tune of their wearers."
do you believe such tales, aunt? 1
do not. snap my fingers at such
| fables"
Give them to you, will not, Aren-
ia; but you may take them from the
box with your own hands,"
The madame left the room and
Arenta lifted the box and carried it
nearer to the light. And little SILVER
crept through her heart and she
closed the lid quickly and said irri-
tably:
1T is my aunt's words. She is
always speaking dark and doubtful
things. However, the pearls are mine
| at last!" and she carried them with