The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-03-13
CHAPTER I.
without Warning.

1t was about five o'clock in the af-
ternOon of a day in June-the very
height, in fact. of the London season
when the Earl of Meldon reached
IS, Hans Square. Belgravia, in a han
sou. For hours it had rained pitiless-
". the streets were very muddy. and
he preferred in those circumstances
not to use his own horses and car
riage. He descended carefully-a
tail. elderly man, quietly rather than
fashionably dressed. and his face, the
skin of which was clear but somewhat
wrinkled about the eyes and lined
about the mouth, was that of a man
of affairs, grave. composed, impene-
trable.
No one could see Lord Meldon with
out recognizing that he was person
age: those versed in such matters
would have said that he was diplo-
matist And dip.omatist of Il kind
he was for he was deep in the secrets
ct that great political organization
popularity known as the Cartoon club:
was acquainted (far better than most
people who thought themselves partic-
ularly we'll informed, with all that
was going on in the worll of politics,
aud was himself one of the two Or
three who pulled the strings. making
or unmaking the fortunes OF lesser
men.
With priceless acre or two of
trees and flowers and grass in it's
midst. Hans Square was large open
space walled in by great houses that
spoke Enthusiastically OF the wealth of
their occupants. No. 36 was one of
the greatest and most suggestive of
Op0ieace: it was the residence of Sir
John Sisterson. the inventor. patentee
aud principal proprietor of that Won
derfua compound called 'Sisterson's
cement" and Lord Meldon was call
ing on Lady Ella Sisterson. the second
wife of the millionaire cementmaker
and distant cousin OF his own. with
a piece Of news which he knew would
be most welcome to her.
Lady Sisterson received him with
an air of Difference in which We're
mingled expectancy and some anxiety.
Sue was OF his own age and genera
tion-a generation OF more restrained
IL not better manners than the pres
eDt. His attitude toward her was
courtiy in the extreme and even more
deferential than her own. Both bowed
aud smiled as they shook hands and
exchanged greetings and then they
touched lightly on the topics of the
passing hour which was not exactly
the business before the meeting, as
Lady Sisterson's husband might have
phrased it,
The same thing WAS in their minds.
but neither referred to it at first: she
waited for Lord Meldon to mention it,
This was a tribute she paid TO his
unan, on the contrary, her nature was
hard and cold and ambitious, and these
attributes do not consort with timid-
fly. but she was q little afraid Of Mel
dotl She expected. besides, some
thing from him, but must NOT seem to
count on it, She tried as they con-
yersed to read in his eyes, but they
were inScrutable: to no other man
would she have hesitated to put the
question that was in her heart. Per
haps he read her thoughts and SO play
ed with her. for he loved the feeling OF
power: but at length he spoke as she
desired
Yes" he said as if answering that
anspoken question OF hers: lit is all
right. ! have very good news for you
Elia-the best news. Let me congrat
uiate you
And he rose from his chair and of
fered her his hand
Il am SO glad. Meldon' she respond
cd. rising too and taking his hand will
q movement Of eXcitement and pleas
ure that was quite unusual with her
her face showed that she was deepl,
9ratifed, and as it took on a softe
expression she appeared suddenl,
younger. II am so glad" she repeat
ed: won't you tell me all about it?"
He saw the quick change in her. an
fnHardly he chnckled with amusement
aud enjoyment: with amusement be
cause her delight was so obvious: wit
enjoyment because it was he himse
who had brought about the thin
which pleased her so much. Thes
feelings speedily passed, howeve
and he told himself that it was fittin
I she should rejoice. for only 70,
would despise what he had in effect il
timated to her.
I'm very glad. too" he. said. 'Thel
really is not very, much to tell, Ell
But I can assure you positively it
settled that Sir Johns name will a
pear in the next list of honors."
HE paused effectively, and Lac
8isters0n nodded eagerly, inpatient
- IL to bid him go on.
Il saw the prime minister" he CO
tinued, fmpressively; 81 saw him tn
morning, and he made the explit
statement to me that Sisterson wou
be given peerage-a barony.
course" he went on, ut Is the lowe