The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1904-10-28

luS LFutN WITH all lST uSdEL, anu uGS-
pising whatever was underhand and
disloyal, had out one course to take
she must break of her engagement
with man so far below her standard
of simple morality.
So she looked anxiously at Annie
as she entered, and Annie would not
keep her in suspense. "There was
letter from Miss Moran last night"
she said. "She loves George yet. She
re-wrote the unfortunate letter, and
this time it found it's owner. I think
he has it next his heart at this very
moment"
Il am glad of that, Annie. But who
has the first letter."
| Il think you know, Mary"
"You mean Mr. Van Ariens?"
| Eyes"
Then there is no more to be said.
l shall write to him as soon as pos
sible.'
Il am sorry"
"No, no! Be content, Annie. The
right must always come right. Meth
er you nor could desire any other
end. even to our own love story"
'But you must suffer"
mot much. None of us weep if we
lose what is of no value. And have
noticed that the happiness of any one
is always conditioned by the unhappi-
ness of some one else. Your cousin
and Cornelia will be happy, but there
are others that must suffer, that they
may be SO. will go now, Annie, be-
cause until l have written to Mr..
Van Ariens l shall not feel free. And
also, do not wish him to come here,
and in his last letter he spoke of
such an intention"
So the two letters-that of Hyde
to Cornelia, and that of Mary Damer
to Van Ariens, left England for
America in the same packet.
The tone of the Manor House was
now set to key of the highest JOY
and expectation. Hyde unconsciously
struck the note, for he was happily
busy from morning to night about
affairs relating either to his marriage
or to his future as the head of
great household. All his old exigent,
eXtravagant liking for rich clothing
returned to him. He had constant
visits from his London tailor, who
brought with him profusion of rich
cloth, silk and satin, and who firmly
believed that the tailor made the
man. There were also endless inter-
views with the family lawyer, endless
readings of law papers. and endless
consultations about rights and sue
cessions, which Hyde was glad and
grateful to leave very much to his
fathers wisdom and generosity.
Some of the last days were occu-
pied in selecting jewels for Cornelia,
with webs Of gold and silver tissues,
and Spitalfields silks so rich and
heavy, that no mortal woman might
hope to outwear them. To these An
many very valuable pieces, and the
happy bridegroom was proud to see
that love was going to send him away
with both arms full for the beloved.
The best gift, however, came last,
and it was from the Earl. 1t was not
gold or land, though he gave gener-
ously of both these, but one which
Hyde felt made his way straight be-
fore him, and which he knew must
haze cost his father much self-abne-
cation. 1t was the following letter
to DR.. John Moran:
"My Dear Sir:
ct seems then, that our dear
children love each other SO well, that
it is beyond our right, even as par
ents, to forbid their marriage. l ask
from you, for my son, who is an hum
BILE and ardent sutton for Miss Mo-
rams hand, all the favor his sincere
devotion to her deserves. We have
both been young, we have both loved,
accept then his affection as some
atonement for any grievance or injus-
tice you remember against myself
Had we known each other better, we
should doubtless have loved each
other better; but now that marriage
will make us KIN. offer you my hand,
with all it implies of regret for the
past, and of respect for the future.
Your servant to command,
ORCHARD HYDE"
ut is the greatest proof of my love
l can give you, George" said the Earl
when the letter had been read; "and
it is Annie you must thank for it,
"Have you noticed. father, how
small and fragile-looking she is? Can
she really be slowly dying?"
mo, she is not dying; she is only
I going little further away-a little
further away, every hour. Some hour
she will be called, and she will an
swer, and we shall see her no more
here. But I do not call that dying,
and if it be dying, Annie will go as
calmly and simply, as if she were full
filling some religious rite or duty.
She loves God, and she will go to
Him"
The next morning Hyde left his
fathers home forever. 1t was impos-
sible that such parting should be
happy. No hopes, no dreams Of fu.
ture joy. could make him forget the
wealth Of love he was leaving. Nor
n k<,V Sc1. 49, ~