The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-12-06

his elder sons shame had caused him
Though just ana good woman, she
could not help feeling that It would
have been far better had her husband
carried the secret Of his dead wife's
revenge with him to his grave. Once
she confessed as much. but Sir Mark
shook his head.
mo, no, Janet" he said. Terrible
as the result of my action has been, ]
have only done that which honor de
manded. Mark rockingham is my
elder son. With the fear of death be
fore me had no right to hesitate any
longer. have but done an act OF
justice. It is better it should have
been done during my lifetime than af
ter. Now have at least hope that
the shameful story Of my heir and sue
cessor may remain unrevealed. Had
the inquiry taken place after my death
as 1t might have done-for I had left
the fact on record that the fate Of my
son by my first wife had never been
ascertained-the scandal would have
been a public one. Sir Mark Bretting.
ham might have been discovered in a
felon undergoing penal servitude. It
is better as it is, Janet, better as 1t
is"
Lady Brettingham was sorry that
she had let her husband see the re.
sentiment she felt against the man
who had suddenly sprung into exist.
ence to disinherit her son.
She had tried to conceal her dis.
tress and modification, but she was
human and a mother, and the effort
had failed.
She did her best to comfort her hus.
band, to cheer him with the idea that
it would be many years before they
would have to face the loss of their
home.
But the sick man had PRESENT.
ment that the evil day was at hand,
and his mind dwelt only on the gloomy
side of the future.
On the night before the day fixed
for the operation Sir Mark and his
son Harold sat together in the grand
old oak library.
1T may be many days, Harold, even
if am spared, before shall be able
to talk with you except in the pres.
ence of strangers. want you tonight
to promise me that whatever happens
you will carry out my wishes, not only
in the Spirit but in the letter."
Il promise, father" exclaimed the
young man, his voice quivering a lit
| tie as he spoke, for the pathos of his
fathers situation appealed to him
deeply.
wait, Harold-wait until you have
heard what have to say to you. If I
should die"
"You will not die, father; you will
live and grow strong and well again,
and be with us for years.
II pray that it may be so, Harold;
but if it is not to be, it is you who
will have to take my place as the
guardian of your mothers peace, as
the custodian of the honor of her
name. You hear?"
Il accept the trust, father, and will
be faithful to it while l live"
Il knew it, Harold. Thank heaven
you were given to me. Without you
l should now have been a man without
hope. Now listen to me and remem-
Der my words, for may never have
the opportunity of repeating them.
"Your half-brother, whom you saw
the other evening for the first time, is
my rightful heir He is my f1rst-born
son, and, whatever his course of life
may have been in the past, his right
to succeed me as head of our house is
established beyond all cavil and dis
pute. have recognized him as my
heir, and you, when I am gone, must
do SO, too"
"This is your wish, father?"
THAT is my solemn command, my
son. If I had the slightest doubt of
this mans identity I would bid you
challenge his claim and defend your
own to the last limit of the law. But
have no doubt. am certain that he
is my elder son, and therefore desire
that there shall be no dispute as to
his claim when am dead. Any &C.
ton taken by you would have but one
result-to betray your brother to the
police, whQ would arrest him, and to
let the world know the secret Of the
shame that lies blot upon the honor
of our house forever. Promise me
that, no matter how bitterly this man
may by his conduct in the future make
you resent his succession to all that
but for him, would have been yours
! you will not betray him, nor seek by
word or deed to injure him."
| Harold rockingham took his faith
er's hand in his and grasped It. 81
swear to you, father" he said, that
whatever happens I will not betray
my brother or seek to injure him"
Sir Mark Buckingham heaved q lit
tie sigh Of relief. and his eyes rested
long upon the face Of his younger son
| The lad dropped on his knees by hii
fathers side. "Give me your blessing
father" he cried; your blessing t.
strengthen and sustain me in the day,
to come" lts.3 !. 4 i III r. S-4y
Sir Mark lifted his hand gently AMI
laid It upon the young mans head.
Il bless you my son, & Z he said, sol
emnly, "and I pray that God ii HI,