The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-07-05
,601VIY. IN,
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strange footsteps had died away.
Louis" continued Rose, dropping
her voice to whisper, after nothing
more was audible, when may I trust
our secret to my husband"
mot yet" rejoined Trudaine earn
estly. "Not word, not hint of it till
give you leave. Remember, Rose, you
promised silence from the first. Every
thing depends on your holding that
promise sacred till release you from
| it."
II will hold it sacred: will, indeed.
at all hazards, under all provocations,' -
| she answered
That is quite enough to reassure
me-and now, love. let us change the
subject. Even these walls may have
| ears. and the closed door yonder may
be no protection" He looked towards
1t uneasily while he spoke. "By the
by, l have come round to your way of
thinking, Rose, about that new servant
of mine-there is something false in
his face. wish had been as quick
to detect it as you WERE"
Rose glanced at him affrightedly
HAS he done anything suspicious?
Have you caught him watching you?
Tell me the worst. Louis"
flush! hush! my DEAR not so loud
Don't alarm yourself; he has done
nothing suspicious"
Turn him off-pray. pray, turn him
off, before it is too late!"
"And be denounced by him, in re-
venge, the first night he goes to his
Section. You forget that servants and
masters are equal now. I am not sup
posed to keep servant at all. l have
citizen living with me who lays me
under domestic obligations. for which
make a pecuniary acknowledgment
No! no! if do anything, must try if
can to entrap him into giving me
warning. But we have got to another
unpleasant subject already-suppose
change the topic again. You will find
a little book on that table there, in the
corner-tell me what you think of it.
The book was copy of Comedies
cid" prettily bound in blue morocco.
Rose was enthusiastic in her praises.
Il found it in booksellers shop yes
terday," said her brother, "and bought
it as present for you. Corneille is not
an author to compromise any one, even
in these times. Don't you remember
saying the other day that you felt
ashamed of knowing but little of our
! greatest dramatist?" Rose remembered
we'll. and smiled almost as happily as
in the old times over her present.
There are some good engravings at
the beginning of each act" continued
Trudaine, directing her attention rather
earnestly to the illustrations, and then
suddenly leaving her side when he saw
that she became interested in looking
at them.
He went to the window-listened-
then drew aside the curtain, and looked
up and down the street. No living soul
was in sight. 81 must have been mis-
taken" he thought, returning hastily
to his sister: "but certainly fancied I
was followed in my walk to-day by a
spy"
81 wonder" said Rose, still busy over
her book, 81 wonder. Louis, whether my
husband would let me go with you to
see LIE Cid the next time it is acted?"
moi" cried voice at the door; mot
if you went on your knees to ask him."
Rose turned round with scream.
There stood her husband on the thres-
hold, scowling at her, with his hat on,
and his hands thrust doggedly into his
pockets Trudaine's servant announced
him, with an insolent smile, during
the pause that followed the discovery.
Citizen superintendent Danville, to
visit the cheyenne, his wife," said the
fellow, making a mock bow to his mas
ter.
Rose looked at her brother, then ad-
vanced a few PAGES towards the door,
This is SURPRISE" she said, family;
"has anything happened? We've
didn't expect you" Her voice failed
! her, as she saw her husband advanc-
I, ing, pale to his very lips with sup
pressed anger.
| How dare you come here, after what
told your he asked, in quick, low
tones.
She shrank at his voice almost as #
, he had struck her. The blood flew into
her brothers. face as he noticed the ac-
ton, but he controlled himself, and, TAX
ing her hand. led her in silence to a
! chair.
II forbid you to sit down in his
house." said Danville. advancing still;
( II order you to come back with me! Do
! you hear? order you"
He was approaching nearer to her,
when he caught Trudaine's eye fixed on
] him, and stopped. Rose started up,
4 and placed herself between them.
ooh, Charles! Charles!" she said to
/ her husband, "be friends with Louis
tonight, and be kind again to mel
have claim to ask that much of you,
though you many not think it!'
| He turned away from her, and
S laughed contemptuously. She tried to
speak again, but Trudaine touched her
on the arm and gave her a warning
look. 85
{ "signals!' exclaimed Danville, "se-
.cret signals between your