The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-06-07
BY WILkle. COLLINS


Lomaque's thin lips seemed to close
instinctively at the question, as If he
were never going to speak again. He
bowed-Trudaine waited-he only
bowed again. Trudaine waited third
time. Lomaque looked at his host with
perfect steadiness for an instant, then
his eyes began to get weak again.
"You seem to have some special inter-
est" he quietly remarked, IF may
say SO without offense, in asking me
that question"
II deal frankly, at all hazard, with
every one," returned Trudaine; "and,
stranger as you are, will deal frank
ly with you. I acknowledge that I
have an interest in asking that ques-
tion-the dearest, the tenderest of all
interests" At those last words his
voice trembled for moment, but he
went on firmly: From the beginning
of my sisters engagement with Dan
vile, made it my duty not to conceal
my own feelings; my conscience and
my affection for Rose counseled me to
be candid to the last, even though my
candor should distress or offend 9TH
ers. When we first made the acquaint-
ance of Madame Danville, and when I
first discovered that her sons atten-
tions to Rose were not unfavorably re-
ceived, I felt astonished, and though
it cost me hard effort, I did not con-
ceal that establishment from my sis.
ter"
Lomaque, who had hitherto been all
attention, started here, and threw up
his hands in amazement. "Astonish-
ed, did I hear you say? Astonished,
Monsieur Trudaine, that the attentions
of young gentleman possessed of all
the graces and accomplishments of a
highly-bred Frenchman should be ia
vorably received by young lady! AS
tonished that such dancer, such a
singer, such talker, such notorious
ly fascinating ladies' man as Monsieur
Danville should, by dint of respectful
assiduity, succeed in making some i'm
preston on the heart of Mademoiselle
Rose! Oh! Monsieur Trudaine, vener-
ated Monsieur Trudaine, this is almost
too much to credit" Lomaque's eyes
grew weaker than ever, and winked in
cessantly, as he uttered this apostro-
phe. At the end he threw up his hands
again, and blinked inquiringly all
round him, in mute appeal to universal
nature.
when, in the course of time, mat
tiers were farther advanced" contin-
ued Trudaine, without paying any at
tention to the Interruptions; when
the offer of marriage was made, and
when knew that Rose had in her own
heart accepted it, objected, and l did
not conceal my objections
Heavens" interrupted Lomaque
again, clasping his hands this time with
look of bewilderment; what objec-
-tions? what possible objections to a
man, young and well-bred, with an i'm
mense fortune and an uncompromised
character? l have heard of these OBJ
jections. l know they have made bad
blood; and 1 ask myself again and
again, what can they be-"
God knows l have often tried to dis
miss them from my mind, as fanciful
and absurd" said Trudaine, land have
always failed. 1t is impossible. in your
presence, that l can describe in detail
what my own impressions have been
from the first, of the master whom you
serve. Let it be enough if l confide to
you that l cannot. even now, persuade
myself of the sincerity of his attach
! ment to my sister, and that I feel-in
spite Of myself. in spite of my earnest
desire to put the most implicit conf
dence in Roses choice-a distrust of his
character and temper. which now, on
the eve of the marriage, amounts to
| positive terror. Long secret suffering,
doubt. and suspense wiring this confess
sion from, me, Monsieur Lomaque, al
most unawares, in defiance of caution,
in defiance Of all the conventionalities
of society. You have lived for years
under the same roof with this man; you
have seen him in his most unguarded
and private moments. I tempt you to
betray no confidence-I only ask you
if you can make me happy by telling
me that have been doing your mas
ter grievous injustice by my opinion
of him? ask you to take my hand and
tell me If you can, in all honor, that my
sister is not risking the happiness OF
riage to Danville Tomorrow
| He held out his hand while he spoke.
BY some strange chance, Lomaque hap
! pened just at that moment to be look
| ing away towards those beauties of ma
ture which he admired so greatly.
Really, Monsieur Trudaine, really
such an appeal from you, at such a
time, amazes me-" Having got so far,
he stopped and said no more.
when we first sat down together
here, l had no thought of making this
appeal, no idea of talking to you as l
have talked" pursued the other. my
words have escaped me, as told you,
almost unawares-you must make al
lowances for them and for me. I can
not expect others, Monsieur Lomaque,
| to appreciate and understand nv feel