The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-12-25
CHAPTER vi.
In the Wintry Dawn.

H1lda Ruthen'S face looked little
troubled.
Il am sorry you and Mr.. Hume
came to words again, Jack" she said.
Il am sorry was such fool as to
lose my temper with him-why can
one be such an ass at times?" said
Jack Lathom, gazing reflectively at
! the points of his boots; mot that
Hume didn't do his best to make me
lose my temper! And so punished
myself by going straight home last
night instead of coming to see you,
Hilda."
A little smile flickered about the
corners of the tender, beautiful mouth,
thrown up in the freight
But it wasn't fair to punish me
too, Jack"
"Oh, was feeling too heated and
eXasperated to be fit company for
! anyone just then-least of all for you,
sweetheart, to whom I want to show
only my best side," he said. 1T was
a piece of ill-luck that when I came
over to Wildfell last night should
run up against Hume and the row
should begin again. And lost my
head a bit.'
Ion T of1 s,1cf
a moment hard look had come into
the pleasant, boyish face. When he
remembered the insolent provocation
he had received, he did not wonder
that his temper had got the better
of his self-control.
He sat watching her, as he drank
his tea, from the broad recessed win
dow ledge of the long, low room; he
liked to watch her-she made such a
dainty picture bending over the tray
with its quaint teacups and the old
Queen Anne silver, over which her lit
tie hands moved like white birds as
she dispensed tea. 1t was little after
8, but already the gray day was clos
ing in: and tea has a special delight
all it's own on a cold winter afternoon,
even as early as 5 o'clock
Great logs burned On the low hearth,
diffusing subtle drowsy perfume
that mingled with the breath of dried
roseleaves in the big pot pcurri bowl;
the squirting flames caught the blue
china on the walls and threw back
glittering reflections from polished
brass and silver, and cleaned red in
the girls dark hair. The black Gen.
turies-old rafters that ran across the
ceiling and the iavender-sprigged
chintz lent an old-fashioned atmos-
phere to room that was wholly
charming. Outside sad gray skies
were straining down to the earth, the
snow was tapping with white fingers
on the loaded diamond panes. and the
wind was crying over the moors; they
only emphasized the peace and COST
ness within.
Jack took his cup for the third time
from Hilda's hands. Yes, he had
been a fool to lose his temper twice
with Philip Hume, he thought, as he
stirred his tea meditatively; and it
had worried Hilda-and that made
him sorrier still. But Hume's taunt-
ing insolence had angered him beyond
Hilda two nights ago he had got
definite proof that the lies intended to
reach his fathers ears, of which he
had spoken to Hilda then, that had
nearly caused a breach between him
and his father had been. as he sus-
pected, deliberately set afoot by Phil
ip Hume. Young Lathom's face flush
ed holly now at the thought. OF
course, he had taxed Hume with these
! slanders-what else could he do?
I'VE won't talk about it ANY more,
Hilda," he said, suddenly. He wouldn't
think about the man any more. After
all, Hume's malice had failed of its
purpose; he had won what Hume had
sought to win. And at the thought
the hard look died out of Jack
Lathom's face. Hes not worth
thinking of-and all his jealous spite
hasn't kept us apart, sweetheart" he
whispered, tenderly.
He rose and came up behind her
put his arms about her, and kissed hel
cleaning hair. Her two hands fell
for and found one of his hands; she
held it pressed close against her sof
cheek; and for a space only thu
silence that for lovers has man!
voices.
They heard the front door open AM
footsteps enter; then Stephen Ruth
ems voice speaking, and another voice
isn't that the voice of Hume's un
cle?" Jack said, suddenly.
A moment later the door wa
opened, revealing the figures of Bor
holt Hume and the rector.
How do you do, Miss Ruthen?"
And Mr.. Hume advanced and shoe
hands with Hilda. Instinctively youn
Lathom held out his hand as the oil
er. man turned to him. Bonholt Hum
did not seem to see the outstretche
hand; it was none the less a sligf
, that the action had not the air Of b.
ing a deliberate refusal to take /
Jack flushed, and Hilda, looking O
. amazed colored Indignantly.
Il wanted to see you, Mr.. Lathor