The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-04-05
CHAPTER xIu.-tCoNrINuEp.,

CdA1'lEfI ll.--(lONTyNUED.)
Alexandrine stood u moment in the
door. looking at the lovely picture pre-
sented by her young hostess. A pang,
vague and unackn0Wledged, wrung her
heart, and showed itself on her coun-
'tcnance. But she came forward with
expressions of admiration.
You are perfect, Margie--absolutely
perfect! Poor gentlemen! how pity
them tonight! How their wretchei
hearts will ache!'
Margie laughed.
Nonsense, Alex. don't be absurd?
Go and dress yourself. I am going to
the opera. and you must accompany
u.s."
"Us-~-who may that plural pronoun
smbody?"
"Myself-and Mr.. Trevlyn."
"Ah! thank you. Mr. Treylyn may
not care for an addition to his nice lit
tie arrangement for tete-a-tete."
Don't be vexed, AleXandrine. We
thought you would pass the evening at
your friends. and Archer only came
in to tell me few hours ago."
"Of course l am not vexed, dear"
and the girl kissed Margie's glowing
cheek. "Lovers will be lovers the world
over. Silly things, always, and never
interesting company for other people.
How long before Mr.. Trevlyn is coming
Tor you?''
Margie consulted her watch.
cat eight. 1t is now seven. In an
hour"
Gin an hour An hours time! Long
enough to change the destiny OF en-
piresr"
GLOW strangely you talk. Alexan-
drine! What spirit possesses you?'
asked Margie, filled, in spite of herself.
with a curious premonition OF evil.
Alexandrine sat down by the side of
her friend, and looked searchingly into
her face, her great black eyes holding
Margie with sort of serpent-like fas-
cination.
Margaret, you love this Archer
Trevlyn very dearly, do you not?
Margie blushed crimson, but she an
swered, proudly:
"Why need be ashamed to confess
It? I do. love him with my whole
soul"
"And you do not think there is in
you any possibility of change"
"a change! What do You mean. tx
plain yourself"
You do not think the time will ever
come when you will cease to love Mr..
Archer Trevlyn?"
"It will never come" Margie replied,
Indignantly. never, while have my
reason"
edo you believe in loves immortal
ity?"
IT believe that all true love is change
less as eternity! I am not child, Alex
andrine, to be blown about by every
passing breeze
"No, you are woman now, with 4
woman's capability of suffering. You
ought, also. to be possessed of woman's
resolution of woman's strength 10
endure sorrow and affection"
II have never had any great afflic-
ton, Alexandrine. The death of Mr..
Linmere was horrible to me, but it
was not as if had loved him; and
though loved Mr.. Trevlyn, my guard
ian, he died so peacefully, that I can
not wish him back. And my dear pa
rents-I was SO young then, and they
were so willing to go! No, do not
think have ever had any great sor-
row, such as blast peoples whole life
times
"But you think You will always con-
time to love Archer Trevlyn?"'
Glow strangely you harp on that
string! What do you mean? There is
something behind all this; see it in
your face. You brighten metz
"Margie. all people are blind some
times, but more especially women,
when they love. Would it be a mercy
to open the eyes of one who. in happy
ignorance, was walking over precipice
which the flowers hid from her view"
Margie shuddered, and the beautiful
color fled from her cheek.
Il do not comprehend you. Why do
you keep me in SUSPENSE"
Because dread to break the charm.
You will hate me for it always, Margie.
We never love those who tell us dis
agreeable truths. even though it be for
our good"
81 do not know what you would tell
me, Alexandrine, but I do not think
I shall hate you for it."
Not if tell you evil Of Archer Trev-
lynn"
Il will not listen to itr she cried, in
dignantly
IL expected as much. Well, Margie,
you shall not. I will hold my peace;
but if ever, in the years to come, the
terrible secret should be revealed to
you--the secret which would then de-
stroy your happiness for all time-re-
member that would have saved you,
and you refused to listen!"
She drew her shawl around her shoul-
ders, and rose to go.
Margie caught her arm.
what is it? You shall tell me! Sus-
pense is worse than certainty"
"And If l tell you. YEN will keep ST.