The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-10-05

= : a
drinking songs. French chansons
d'amour, fragments from the music
halls. When he was not singing he
was laughing and chatting, and once
he broke into = burlesque Highland
ding, with a vocal imitation OF the bag
pipes. "You'll have another break
down after this IL you. don't take care.
You're always in / extremes either
agony or ecstacy. should think
you're the most mercurial beggar in
the world
II dare say l am said Alexis, with
a sudden sobriety. II don't think
most men feel the ssting Of pain as 1
do, or feel such exuberant Joy in
pleasure. My cup brims over, always
loathe suffering and I love Joy"
He broke into rather boisterous
French student song, with a rollicking
burden Of "vive Bacchus ct vive
ramour," and Billery lay back and
laughed at him until he could laugh
no longer. The more Billery laughed,
the absurder Alexis became, and ut
last his mirth was bordering on hys-
terra. But either succeeded in leash
ing himself, or the serious fit which
so often follows on inordinate mirth
had fallen ON him. In any case, he
went suddenly quiet as they neared
the little rustic station for which they
were bound. He had wired for a fly
to be in readiness, and there It was
awaiting them. A three-mile drive
brought them to their destination, and
there Truscott, who had just dined,
was amazed to see them.
TITS at my suggestion that we came
down here" said Billery. "Mr. Alexis
Brangwyn has brought me very strik-
ing news, which proves to my satisfac-
ton that you were right this after:
noon and that I was wrong. thought
that, sinceNit was I who carried the
suspicious to you, it was my duty to
withdraw them"
Alexis told. his story, and Truscott
listened with great interest. "That
fits my reading like a glove" he said,
when it was over. .s'Mr. Brangwyn,
your cousin seems to me to have suf-
fered an unmerited martyrdom, and
shall not lose post in letting him
know that regret profoundly the
share which Mr.. Billery and had in
inflicting it. Most unfortunately, it's
not thing that can be talked about.
There's no public vindication open to
him."
Monet" said Alexis "None! He
has had knowledge of facts which it
was his duty as citizen to reveal,
and in the eye of the law he Is parti-
ceps criminis. But it sometimes hap
pens in life that there are duties
which transcend the law, and here
there is one of them"
'In spite Of the charge suggested
against him." Truscott said, II have
felt sort of curious attraction toward
your cousin"
Gas for me-" said Billery, II feel
like brute. He never liked me-poor
old Aloysius-and, in my own mean
mind, nursed bitter grudge against
him. Why should he like me? 1t
isn't crime not to like me, sup
pose? Seems to me I'm not a partic-
ularly likeable sort OF person"
ooh, you shut up!" said Truscott;
you're all right"
And there the interview came prac-
IN Ia.
guests to whom he was bound to re-
turn, and neither Billery nor Brang-
wyn cared tp accept his invitation to
join them. Alexis was very quiet on
the return journey, and at the close of
it the two shook hands and parted. :
II will send Grimaud to you to-mor-
row." said Alexis, as he got into a
hanson at the terminus, and on the
morrow, sure enough, Grimaud made
his appearance in Billery's poor apart
ment. He was very jauntily attired,
and very assured and even patronizing
in his manner, so that Billery resented
him.
81 received visit from M. Aloysius
yesterday" he began. He was so
COuOeSCenOluS DIS 70 DeSIOW upon me
his confidence. Regarding me in, my
double capacity of old servant AMI
humble friend, he related to me the
story which NJ. Alexis has already
outlined to monsieur. In coming here
am only obeying the instructions OF
M Aloysius, but Of M. Alexis, who is
passionately DESTROYS that the position
Of monsieur and his cousin should be
made clear. It is my duty to inform
monsieur that not the slightest doubt
attaches to the question. The real
criminal is now revealed. He is al
lowed to escape the. penalty Of his
crime for reasons which are not to be
over estimated. That is the message
was instructed to deliver 5:S i I
well" said Billery. Il knew all tina.
before. ,;ss.. nj 5 siss
Gfimaud bowed, looked s,lperctli.
ously at the meager furniture an.
ncunced that he had the honor TO bid
monsieur good dag, and 10 withdrew.