The pioneer express., 1907-02-15

L ASAA9SAAs p.
A great presumption almost took his
breath away. He gave it voice on the
moment, afraid II he waited he should
lose the courage.
III you will give me the cluster Of
bluebells in your belt"
She looked surprised, hesitated a
moment, then laid them in his hand.
He bowed, and was lost in the crowd.
That night when he got home he
found Mat worse. She had been fail
Ing for long time. She was large
girl now. with great, preternaturally
bright eyes, and spot of crimson in
each hollow cheek.
1t was more than three months since
she had been able to do anything, and
Grandma Rugg was very harsh and
severe with her in consequence. There
were black and blue places on her
shoulders now where. she had been
beaten, but Arch did not know it. Mat
never spoke to him about her suffer-
ings, because it distressed him so, and
made him very angry with the old
woman.
He went in and sat down on the straw
| beside Mat, and before he knew it he
was telling her about Margie Harrison.
He always brought all his joys and sor-
rows to Mat now. just as he used to
carry them to his mother.
| The girl listened intently, the spots
on her face growing deeper and wider.
She looked at the bluebells wistfully,
but would not touch them. Arch Of
fered her spray. She shook her head
sadly.
NO." she said, "they are not for me-
Keep them, Arch. Some time, think,
you will be rich and happy, and have
all the flowers and beautiful things you
wish"
IF ever am, Mat, you shall be my
queen, and dress in gold and silver" !"
answered the boy warmly, "and never
do any more heavy work to make your
hands hard"
"You are very good, Arch" she said.
II thank you, but shall not be there,
you know. !. think am going away
going where shall see my mother, and
your mother, too, Arch, and where all
the world will he full of flowers! Then
I shall think of you, Arch, and wish I
could send you some"
"Mat, dear Mat! don't talk so strange
ly!' said the boy, clasping her hot
hands in his. "You must not think of
going away! What should I do without
you?"
She smiled, and touched her lips to
his hand, which had stolen under her
head, and lay SO near her cheek.
You would forget me, Arch. mean
after a time, and 1 should want you to-
But l love you better than anything else
in all the world. And it is better that
should die. A great deal better! Last
night dreamed it was. Your mother
came and told me so. Do you know how
Jealous have been of that Margie Har-
rison? have watched you closely.
have seen you kiss dead rose that l
knew she gave you. And longed to see
her so much, that have waited around
the splendid house where she lives, and
seen her time and again come out to
ride, with her beautiful dresses, and
the white feather in her hat, and the
wild roses on her cheeks. And my
heart ached with such hot, bitter pain.
But it's all over now, Arch. am not
jealous now. love her and you-both
of you together. If do go away, I want
you to think kindly of ME, and-and
goodnight, Arch-dear Arch. l am
so tired
He gathered her head to his bosom,
and kissed her lips.
Poor little Mat! In the morning, when
Arch came down, she had indeed gone
away-drifted out with the tide and
with the silent night
After Mats death the home at Grand
ma Riggs became insupportable to
Arch. He could not remain there. Tho
old woman was crosser than ever, and
though he gave her every penny of his
earnings, she was not satisfied.
So Arch took lodgings in another
part of the city, quite as poor place
but there no one had the right to grum-
BILE at him. Still, because she was some
relation to Mat, he gave Grandma Rugs
full half of his money, but he never re.
mained inside her doors longer thar
necessity demanded.
In his new lodgings he became ac,
quainted with middle-aged man who
represented himself as a retired arm.
officer His name was John Sharp
sleek, keen-eyed, smooth-tongued in.
dividual, who never boasted or blus-
tered. but who gave people the ides
that at some time he had been a per,
son of consequence. This man attached
! himself particularly to Arch Trevlyn
With insidious cunning he wormet
himself into the boys confidence, ant
gained, to certain degree. his friend
ship. Arch did not trust him entirely
though. There was something abou
him from which he shrank-the touci
} of his white. jeweled hand. made hi,
flesh creep. like the touch of ser
pent
But Mr.. Sharp had an object to gain
and set himself resolutely to work t,
carry his point. He made himself nee
essary to Arch. He bought him books