The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-11-27

left hand and raise It: there was no
ring on the third finger. Then you've
given Hume no promise YETI"
She laughed and shook her head.
Il can hardly believe my own luck
yeti" cried young Lathom. "And on.
ly FIVE minutes ago you were so icy
as cold as the white snow queen in
the fairy story!"
There was tremulous smile about
the tender curves of her mouth.
1T was because-because I cared
for you that I could be so cold-and
because you were so blind!"' she whis.
pered back.
"H;lda," he told her, presently.
there's one thing promise you'll
am going to make up my difference
with my father, and am going to set
tie down to work in the mill straight
away! 1t may be a bit of wrench
and the work not congenial; he's
brought me up so differently, you see.
sending me to Oxford-only you've
shown me it's my duty to fall in with
his Wishes"
ooh, am so glad, dear-so very
glad" Hilda whispered. "And I do
think your fathers right, Jack. You
are his only son, and it's natural he
should want his son to carry on after
him the name and the business he has
built up
Dear, you have given me an induce
ment now to work doubly hard. I've
had my fling at idleness, but all that's
done WITH" he cried. "And shall
know that it's for you, too, I'm work
ing, sweetheart. I wonder what Ste.
phen will say? Stephen would like
you to marry Hume"
Then l am afraid shall disappoint
Stephen for once, for I'm going to
marry no one but you," Hilda an
swered gayly. "Only, I think we
won't tell Stephen yet" she added.
thoughtfully you shall prove to him
first that you really can keep your
resolutions l know you can. It
will take so little time to show your
father and Stephen and every one the
man you are-and you are man.
Jack!"
She looked at him with tender pride.
There was resolute determination in
his race. She had no doubt that he
would keep his word.
"And you won't stay awsy from 10
from me-again, Jack, or be fool
ishly jealous and go away again II
you should see Mr.. Hume within the
rectory walls!" she whispered, when
at last the moment of parting was
come; his arms were about her, hold
ing her tight. you'll come to-mor-
row, Jack?"
Tomorrow, sweetheart!" with q
happy laugh.
On the threshold of the open door
she turned to wave her hand to him,
her slim figure outlined against the
lighted hall, making a picture that
would live in his mind as he walked
back to the throbbing Industrial town
whose glare lit up the sky-where his
own career was to be forged. But,
before he turned away, on an impulse
she came running back to him down
the garden path.
Jack she whispered, IT want to-
tell you one thing. When said T
meant to marry Philip Hume, 1t
wasn't true. dear! I should never
have married him. even If there had
been no-You! He has asked me
once and 1 refused-and though he
said he wouldn't take my answer, but
that he would ask me again, it would
have been just the same, NOT only
said that to you, Jack, because
Because, dear?"
"Because-why, because I thought
you didn't care! All, you mustn't,
Jack!" sh etold him, in happy laugh
ing confusion-"some one might see
us, you impetuous lover of mine!"
She drew herself from him. and was
gone and the door shut, anr Jack La
Thorn was alone. But there was to-
morrow!.
What bright good world it was
what radiant place of dreams for
youth and love! Hilda cared for him
-Hilda had promised to be his wife!
1t was all SO wonderful, Jack Lathom
felt he could hardly realize his own
great happiness yet, as he swung
along towards Fellsgarth.
ITO Be continued.)