The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-04-26
BY CLARA AUGUSTA

yes, she said, mechanically, and
put her hand in her pocket for her
porte-monnaie, with vague idea that
she must ray him before she started.
She uttered low cry of dismay! Her
pocket-book was missing! She
searched more thoroughly, but it was
not to be found. Her pocket had been
picked. She turned piteous face to
the hackman.
my money is lost STRIP she said, "but
II you will take me to a place of shelter,
I will rernunerate you some way
Sorry to be obliged to refuse,
ma'am," said the man, civilly enough,
but I'm poor man with family, and
can't afford to keep my horses for moth
ing"
What is 1t, driver?" queried a rough
voice; and in moment crowd had
gathered around poor. shrinking Mar
gle, and growing, indignant Leo.
THE woMan's lost her purse"
"Oh. no! the old story-eh? Beauty
in distress. Should think they'd get
tired of playing that gamer said the
coarse voice, which belonged to a
lounger and hanger-on at the depot.
Looks rather suspicious. ma'am, for
We to be travelling on the train alone"
began the hackman; but he was inter-
rupted by the lounger.
That's the way they all travel. Well,
thank the Lord, hain't so gallant as
to git taken in by every decent face l
seev
Thank heaven, am not so lost to all
sense Of decency as to insult a LADY,"
said clear, stern voice; and tall, dis
Notwithstanding man swept through
the crowd, and reached Margie's side.
Indeed, am not mistaken he said,
looking at her with amazement Miss
Harrison!''
She saw. as he lifted his hat, the
frank, handsome face of Louis Castrani.
All her troubles were over-this man
was pillar of strength to her weak
ness. She caught his arm eagerly, and
Leo barked with Joy. recognizing a
friend.
II am so glad to see you. Mr.. Cas-
trani!'
His countenance lighted Instantly.
He pressed the hand on his arm
Thank you, my friend. What serv-
ice can render you? Where do you
wish to go? Let me act for YOU"
"Oh, thank you-if you only will: I
was going further, but the train I
wished to take had been gone some
hours, and / must stay here tonight.
And on my way, somewhere. my money
has been stolen"
"Give yourself no more uneasiness.
am only too happy to be of any use
to YOU"
The crowd dispersed, and Castrani
called a carriage, and put Margie and
Leo inside.
"Have you any choice Of hotels?"
None. I am entirely unacquainted
here. You know BEST
ITO the 49, House." he said to the
driver: and thither they were taken.
A warm room and u tempting supper
were provided, but Margie could not
eat. She only swallowed little toast,
and drank a cup of tea. Castrani came
to her parlor just after she had flushed,
but he did not sit down. He had too
much delicacy to intrude himself upon
her when accident had thrown them to-
gether.
II was called here on very urgent
business" he said, land shall be obliged
to attend to it tonight, but I shall re-
turn soon, and will see you in the morn
ing. Meanwhile, feel perfectly at
home. I have engaged a chamber-maid
to attend to you. and do not be afraid to
make your wants known. Goodnight.
now. and pleasant dreams"
She was so weary, that she slept
some, with Leo Rugged tightly to her
breast; for she felt sense Of security
in having this faithful friend near her.
Breakfast was served in her room, and
by and by Castrani came up. He spoke
to her cheerfully, though he could not
fail to notice that some terrible blow
had fallen upon her since last he had
seen her, gay and brilliant. at a party
in New York. But he forebore to ques-
ton her. Margie appreciated his deli
cacy. and something impelled her to
confide to him what she had not en-
trusted to the discretion of any other
person. She owed him this confidence,
for his disinterested kindness.
"M.. Castrani," she said, quietly
enough, outwardly, circumstances Of
which I cannot speak, have made it
necessary for me to leave New York.
do not desire that the place of my
destination shall be known to any one.
But to show you how much l appreciate
your kindness, and how entirely I trust
you, will inform you that am going
to Lightfeld, in New Hampshire, to
stop an indefinite length Of time with
my old nurse. Mrs. Day."
Castrani was visibly affected by this
proof Of her confidence.
From me. no one shall ever know
the place of your refuge" he said, earn
estly. ''Your train leaves at ten. It
is now nine. II you would only permit
me to see you safely to the end Of your
Journeys"
She flushed. He read quite reproach
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