The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-10-04

But the truth was that Mrs. Bret.
tingham, who had shown signs Of
mental trouble, had deliberately left
her husband and taken her child with
her after a scene of furious jealousy
on her part for which there was. not
the slightest justification.
She left behind her cruel letter
telling her husband that he need not
trouble any further about her or her
child. She was going to England to
her own friends, and she desired that
their parting should close that chap.
ter of her life which included her mar.
riage with Mark rockingham.
Before he left India Mark Bretting
ham succeeded to the family baron.
etcy, and to those friends who were
aware of his marriage he announced
the news of his wife's death, which
had reached him almost at the same
time as he received the telegram from
England which, had she lived, would
have compelled him to acknowledge
his wife as Lady Buckingham.
Tell me the truth, doctor.'
The eminent specialist gave his pa.
tient a kindly glance. y
Il have every hope, Sir Mark" he
said, that the operation-which is un-
doubtedly necessary-will be entirely
successful"
How long can this operation be de-
layed?"
For fortnight at the most. /
should not advise any further delay
than that
There is risk, of course?''
There is always risk. but I am
very hopeful in your case"
Thank you"
The physician shook hands with the
patient, and left the house with the
local doctor, who had for some months
past been in attendance upon the all.
ing owner of Draycott Hall.
Sir Mark rockingham went to the
window and watched the medical men
as they entered the carriage together
and drove away to the railway station.
When he turned he found his wife,
with smile upon her face, waiting to
greet him.
"Oh, Mark" she exclaimed, 81 am so
thankful! The doctor assures me
that he has every hope of complete
cure
Sir Mark smiled gravely, and took
his wife's outstretched hand in his.
II, too, have hope" he said, softly,
"but there is risk, and we must be
prepared for it. If die"
Mark
Hush, dear; I have fortnights
grace. During these two weeks I
must arrange my affairs. There must
be no scandal after my DEATH"
Mark
"Where Is Harold?'
Waiting for me to give him the
news. He is terribly anxious.
Poor boy! All, Janet, tor his sake
as well as yours must bring this ter
rible business to an issue. There
must be no doubt as to his position in
the event of-of the worst happening
to me. Last night l told him the
truth"
Then he Knows
Everything He bore It bravely,
Janet. When I had told him my story
he said: Father, the right must ba
done. 1t is your duty and mine to
have the mystery of my elder broth.
er's fate cleared up beyond the posi-
bility of dispute"
my poor Harold! Oh, Mark-Mark
If this person you have employed
succeeds in tracing your elder SON
if he finds that he is alive-it will
mean that my boy will never be mas.
ter here!'
''The baronetcy will not be his, the
estates will not be his, but he will
have everything that have right to
leave him. But come, let us hope for
the best. For three months this man
one of the cleverest private detect.
ives in England-has been at work.
and he has failed to find any trace of
my son Mark
There is no doubt of the mothers
death?"
Janet, do you think that if I had,
not been sure of that 1 should have
married you?"
Lady Brettingham lifted her eyes,
now filled with tears, to her husband
Ito Be continued.)
PROPERTIES OF GOLD.