The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-10-06
MQu6keCk, HE Lion Toner.
By SEWARD w. HOPKINS,
Author Of Jack Robbins Of America" "in the
China Sea- Two 0entlemen Of
Hawaii" ION False
Charge" Etc.
c.,,r,ra., 1895. by ROBERT Bosx..'. so.a
CHAPTER xIV.-(continued.)

WI ollAC III 4NCW 1Ol ~.
At my suggestion, Nita had engaged
a maid, and as she was an elderly,
sour-visaged female, she served every
purpose of chaperon as we'll as of pre-
serving appearances.
Once in New York I sought the
major. found him at the club and he
nearly fell in heap on the floor when
he beheld me-
by Cad" he exclaimed. rushing to
me. wringing ny hands. tears stream
ing down his face and his whole frame
trembling. Dick! Wilberton. old fell
low, how did you do it? We heard
you were dead, you know"
Heard l was dead, Ell? Well. I'm
lively dead man, major. I've got
what l went after, and more, too.
Had all sorts of adventures and mar
row escapes. Brought back Maubi-
keck, whose name is Henry Thorlane,
and Nita Barlotti, whose name is Alice
Iraviscourt.'
No! Cad! Is it so? Have you got
the proof?"
Proof enough. We must see Charles
Sigmotta at once. l need another bit
of testimony from him. and then we'll
tackle Graviscourt and knock him
cut
l showed the major the locket and
pin and read to him the statements of
Antonio Sigmotta and Dambo.
'You returned just in time" said
the major, grimly. The wedding is
now surely on the way. have learned
since you left the true inwardness of
Broushton's preference for Gravis-
court. 1t seems that Broughton's
meaEs are much more limited than we
have supposed, and he has from time
to time borrowed money from Gravis-
court, giving him a mortgage on his
house as security. He has gone to the
wall financially, and Graviscourt
pusaes his claim to Edith. promising
Broughton to cancel all debts the day
she becomes his bride. She held out
firmly until the news came that you
died in Sardinia of some fever, and
then the poor girl gave up the fight
and consented to lie sacrifice to save
her father. But you are in time boy
you are in time. Edith loves you.
and you only. Do up Graviscourt and
the field is yours.
What about Nita?" I asked. She
is now at the same hotel as Thorlane
and |, but it doesn't look just"
Not at all, boy; not at all. My sis
Mrc nohrnp &c i,,e,f ha
will be glad to receive her as guest,
and, OF course, her wedding must be
in my sisters home. | will see Nellie
at once"
True to his promise. the major saw
his sister, and she readily assented to
his plan. That evening Nita was es-
corted TO Mrs. Dabner's house. where
she remained until she became Mrs.
Henry Thorlane.
When l left the club, was hurry
ing through the street. when 10. l
saw Edith BrOughton coming toward
me. with a couple of small packages
IN her arms. And she was alone. My
death had freed her from all danger.
in Broughtons eyes. and she was now
allowed to go shopping alone. l looked
| about me hurriedly. and saw door.
way that was somewhat dark and sc.
cluded. waited near it. and when
Edith came UP / seized her. whisked
her into that doorway, and proceeded
to hug and kiss her in a fashion that
partially recompensed me for the long
period of waiting | had undergone At
first she was frightened nearly out of
her wits, but when she realized who
it was that had her fast. the darling
put her arms around my neck and met
me fairly half way, dropping her bun.
dies in her excitement
Dick! Darling Dick" she cried
They told me you were dead Kisses
Il don't look very dead. do
da-ling?" More kisses. Il have come
back to take you away from that fel
low. Graviscourt. and no nonsense
about it now, either. I've learned
courage since | left New York. and
you will be my wife now if have tc
kill Graviscourt and your respected
parents to get you!'
On, DICK. darling. what an escape
I've had! If you'd been little later
Id have married him to save papa
Oh! think OF it, Dick
Don't do it. Think of me. You
are sure you love me?"
On, Dick!" reproachfullly.
kissed her again. Her face wa:
suffused with bushes. Her hat wa.
awry. She was half laughing ant
half crying in her happiness.
Some one will see us, Dick" sh'
said, finally. DO call carriage ant
take me home"
So called carriage and, putin:
my future wife into it. l clambered il
after her and set her down at her OWL
door. Then ! lighted cigar and, OF
dering the driver to take me to tn
hotel, | lay back on the cushions, tn
most exquisitely happy, contented AM
esotisticallly satisfied individual III
the universe.
"a On the, day following that upol
which we arrived in New York