The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-10-26

CHAPTER XVII. (cont.nued.)

AOu IIy W pCISuduS yOuASSA SAoI'yO"
don't, as almost everybody does. That
is why we allow ourselves to be be.
trayed into false condolences. We
pretend to ourselves that we trust this
man or that, and when he betrays us
we feel aggrieved. But to give sway
to the real impulse Of the soul would
be death to treachery. No man will
ever betray me, for shall never trust
anybody but the trustworthy. l stand
for instince, and, as said just now,
at the bottom of your mind you know
that I'm right. You don't deny that
I've hit your impression of myself, do
you?"
NO" said Truscott, lingering on the
word; II don't"
Exactly" said Alexis, as if he had
achieved a triumph.
But don't know" said Truscott, in
his downright way; Il don't know
how you found me out. I never gave
you any token, as far as know, either
of one sentiment or the other"
NO." Alexis assented eagerly.
"They radiate, my friend; they radi-
ate! And if you presersc your native
receptivity you know the truth at u
glance. There are two men amongst
all others have met whom, if we
trust were only mutual-as it never
could be, mind you, for they have
their own instincts as we'll as 1.-TWO
memo more-whom would grapple
to my soul with hooks of STEEL" He
dropped back against the cushioned
back of the car, and suddenly to Trus-
colts amazement, leaning forward
again, laid hand upon his knee and
said, you're one Of EN-
Truscott was too dumbfounded by
this extraordinary outburst to find an
immediate answer. He was not man
who carried his emotions in his pocket
to scatter like small change as his
companion seemed to do, and yet there
was something in the manner of Alexis
which seemed to bespeak sincerity-a
something which moved him strongly.
*My cousin Aloysius is the other"
Alexis said. "a steadfast man, an i'm
movable man. A man of iron purpose
iron patience. It's given to some OF
us irresponsible Johnnies," he went
on, with startling change from deep
seriousness to frivolity, "to worship
the qualities which are so absolute
ly denied to us. shall always be
liked by those who are content to take
me at surface valuation, but shall
never inspire a real trust in anybody.
Now, there's that poor dear old calf of
Billery. For clever fellow he's the
most awful fool l know. He's got no
will of his own-no more backbone
than jelly-fsh-and yet everybody
with pennyweight of discernment in
him knows him to be as stanch a
friend as bulldog to his master.
You'd trust him with your fortune or
your sweetheart, or with the secret
that would hang you. But then Billery
drinks, and Billery drunk is the indis.
creetest old donkey in the world. Pity
that one fault should undo virtue, isn't
it?'
"Yes," said Truscott, "it is a pity;
but Billery's mending, don't you no.
tice?"
Il see it," Alexis answered. "I'n
very glad of it for his own sake.
hope the reform will last
Then he fell into moody silence
after his own fashion. The motor-car
hummed smoothly along for the
greater part of an hour, and they were
nearing the end of their journey before
he spoke again, and then only in an
swer to a question.
''You don't see much of your cousin,
Brangwyn, do you?"
NO" he answered then; every lit.
tie
He is a man whom should like to
Know" said Truscott.
Il can we'll believe you,' answered
| Alexis. You'd find hundred points
in common. Ii you don't mind asking
your chauffeur to pull up, you can drop
ne here. Thanks for a very pleasant
drive. Good-by."
They parted at the junction of New
Bridge street and the Embankment,
and Truscott saw him hail hanson
ne pluuSeu DdCk lulO thoughts Oh
business. That day he was to help III
the making or the marring of minis.
try. A baronetcy was being dangled
at him, but that was sure to come
sooner or later and the temptation did
not move him-much. He had become
ia power in the land, and the chief pri
vate secretary of the prime minister
was lying in wait for him when he
reached the sumptuous room in which
he worked.
| Alexis, as forgotten as If he had new
er existed, jolted springily in his han
sem along the broken and uneven
road of the Embankment, on his home
ward way. Arrived at his destination
he paid the driver with a capriciout
li5erality, and as he did so he wa
| family conscious OF shabby figur,
lettering at the curb. He gave the
man no second glance or thought, bu1
as he walked leisurely up the broat
lstOne steps which led to his own SUITE
Il he was very vaguely aware of ass:ip
Il shod following footstep, to whick hs
i laid no heed at all. He had drawn on
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