The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-08-23
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fS&&V treat grave sub
NN~N,TO-S ject lightly. His
~ Nv face clouded again,
- however, in a mo-
ment, when he look
ed towards his sis
ter as he ceased. Her work had once
more dropped on her lap; her face was
turned away so that he could not see it:
but he knew by the trembling of her
clasped hands, as they rested on her
knee, and by the slight swelling of the
veins on her neck. which she could not
hide from him, that her boosted
strength of nerve had deserted her.
Three years of repose had not yet en-
abled her to hear her marriage name
uttered, or to be present when past
times Of deathly suffering and terror
were referred to, without betraying the
shock In her face and manner. Tru-
dame looked saddened, but in no way
surprised by what he saw. Making a
sign to Lomaque to say nothing, he
rose and took up his sisters hood,
which lay on window-seat near him.
Come. Rose," he said, "the sun is
shining, the sweet spring air is invit-
ing us out. Let us have a quiet stroll
along the banks of the stream. Why
should we keep our good friend here
cooped up in this narrow little room,
when we have miles and miles of beau
tiful landscape to show him on the
other side Of the threshold? Come! 1t
is high treason to Queen Nature to re-
main indoors on such a morning as
this"
Without waiting for her to reply, he
put on her hood, drew her arm through
his, and led the way out. Lomaque's
face grew grave as he followed them.
II am glad 1 only showed the bright
side of my budget of news in her pres
ence," thought he. "She is not we'll at
heart yet. I might have hurt her, poor
thing; might have hurt her again sad
", if had not held my tongue"
They walked for little while down
the banks of the stream, talking of in
different matters, then returned to the
cottage. BY this time Rose had re-
covered her spirits. and could listen
with interest and amusement to Lo-
maque's drily-humorous description Of
his life as clerk at Chalons-sur-
Marine. They parted for little while
at the cottage door. Rose retired to the
upstairs room from which she had been
summoned by her brother Trudaine
and Lomaque returned to wander again
along the banks of the stream.
With one accord. and without word
passing between them, they left the
neighborhood of the cottage hurriedly,
then stopped on sudden and attentive
i ly looked each other in the face-look-
ed in silence for an instant. Trudaine
spoke first.
Il thank you for having spared her"
he began, abruptly. "She is not strong
enough yet to bear hearing of a new
misfortune, unless l break the tidings
to her first"
You suspect me. then. of bringing
bad news?" said Lomaque.
Il know you do. When saw your
first look at her, after we were all seat
ed in the cottage parlor, knew it.
Speak! without fear. without caution,
without one useless word of preface.
After three years of repose. if it pleases
God to afflict us again, can bear the
trial calmly. and if need be, can
strengthen her to hear it calmly too l
speak out. ! know your news is bad,
for know beforehand that it is news
Of Danville."
You are right, my bad news is news
of him."
He has discovered the secret of our
escape from the guillotine-"
"No-he has not suspicion OF it.
He believes-as his mother. as every
one does-that you were both executed
the day after the Revolutionary Tribu-
nal sentenced you to DEATH"
"Lomaque. you speak positively OF
that belief of his-but you cannot be
certain of it"
Il can on the most indisputable, the
most startling evidence-on the author
ity of Danville's own act. You have
asked me to speak out?"
II ask "ou again. insist on It, Your
news, Lomaque-your news, without
another word of preface!"
You shall have it without another
word Of preface. Danville is on the
point Of being married"
AS the answer was given they boti,
stopped by the bank Of the stream, and
again looked each other in the face.
There was minute of dead silence be-
tween them, During that minute thu
water bubbling by happily over its bed
of pebbles. seemed strangely loud. the
singing of birds in little wood by the
stream side strangely near and shrill
in both their ears. The light breeze. for
all its midday warmth. touched their
cheeks coldly: and the spring sunlight
pouring on their faces, felt as II It were
g]immering on them through winter
clouds.
LET us walk on said Trudaine. in 9
lew voice. 81 was prepared for bad
news, yet not for that. Are you certaif
of what you have just told me p q
AS certain as that the stream here
Il to a. q 3 q.