The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-04-26
CHAPTER xv1.--tcoxr1xgsp.,

She stopped suddenly. and. rising
was about to leave the room. He tool
her hand, and closed the door she had
opened, leading her to seat.
"My dear Miss Lee, do not compre'
bend you. Explain. II have eve,
injured you in any way, 1t has been
the very thing farthest removed from
ny intentions. Will you not give me
chance to defend myself?"
She blushed painfully; her embar'
rassment disturbed him, for he was
generous to all. and he really felt very
kindly toward her.
II cannot explain" she said In sub
duei voice. 81 am sorry you came just
now. But these ISLANDERS anger me. as
we'll as wound my feelings"
"What ISLANDERS. Miss Lee?"
Her color grew deeper. Animated b.
some sudden resolve, she lifted her head
proudly.
II will tell you. Remember that you
sought the information. Your coming
here has been made the subject OF re-
mark. and I have been accused of hav-
ing schemed to draw you here. You
know If it be true
His face flushed slowly. He recalled
the silly stories that had some time be-
fore reached his ears. And because OF
them she had suffered. This woman
whose unremitting care had saved his
life! How thoughtless and cruel he had
been! He was a man of honor; if any
woman's reputation had been injured
through his means, there was but one
course for him to pursue. He must
made reparation. And how? For a
moment his head whirled, but glanc-
ing at the pale, distressed face before
him, he made his decision.
''AlcNandrine," he said quietly, you
know just what my course has been
You know my lowly origin-you know
how life has cheated me Of happiness.
You know how dear Margie Harrison
was to me, and how lost her. loved
her with my whole soul--she will be
the one love of my lifetime. shall
never love another woman as l loved
her But If my name and the position
can give my wife, will be pleasant
to You, then ask you to accept them,
as some slight. recompense for what
have made you suffer. If you can be
satisfied with the sincere respect and
friendship feel for you, then l offer
myself to YOU You deserve my heart,
but l have none to give to any one.
I have buried it so deep that 1t will
never know resurrection"
She shuddered and grew pale. 70
one Of her passionate Manufacturing
him as she did--it was but a sorry
wooing. His love she could never have.
But if she married him. she should be
always near him; sometimes he would
hold her hands in his, and call her,
as he did now, Alexandrine. Her APP
parent struggle with herself panied
him. Perhaps he guessed something
Of it's cause. He put his arm around
her waist.
"My child" he said, kindly, "do you
love me? Do you indeed care for
me? Cold and Indifferent as I have
been? Tell me truly, Alexandrine?"
She did tell him truly; something
within urged her to let him see her
heart as it was. For moment she
put aside all her pride.
Il do love you," she said. God only
knows how dearly"
He looked at her with gentle, pity
ing eyes, but he did not touch the red
lips so near his own. He could not be
hypocrite.
II will be good to you, Alexandrine.
God helping me, you shall never have
cause for complaint. will make your
life as happy as can. I will give
you all that my life's shipwreck spared
me. Will that content your Will you
be my wife,"
Still she did not reply.
care you afraid to risk it?" he asked
almost sadly.
"No I am not afraid! I will risk
everythingw she answered.