The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1912-09-13
CHAPTER XIV. (contInusd).

I'.i C0ApleH NV (ContlnVoo)s
Having little else to do, she studied
the man, and she studied him with .
warm desire and an enthusiastic pre-
disposition to find the best In him.
She would not have been human
girl II she had not been thrilled to
the very heart of her by what the
man had done for her. She recognized
that whether he asserted 1t or not, he
had established an everlasting and
indisputable claim upon her.
The circumstances Of their first
meeting, which as the days passed
did not seem quite 80 horrible to her.
and yet thought Of which would
bring the blood to her cheek still on
the instant, had in some way turned
her over to him. His consideration
Of her, his gracious tenderness to-
ward her, his absolute abnegation. his
evident overwhelming desire to please
her, to make the anomalous situation
in which they stood to each other
bearable in spite Of their lonely and
unobserved intimacy. by an absolute
lack Of presumption on his partial
those things touched her profoundly.
Although she did not recognize the
fact then perhaps, she loved him from
the moment her eyes had opened in
the mist and rain after that awful
battle in the torrent to see him bend
ing over her.
No sight that had ever met Enid
Maitland's eyes was so glorious, 80
awe inspiring, so uplifting and mag
nifcent as the view from the verge
Of the clin In the sunlight Of some
bright winter morning. Few women
had ever enjoyed such privileges as
hers. She did not know whether she
liked the winter crowned range best
that way, or whether she preferred
the snowy world, glittering cold in the
moonlight; or even whether 1t was
more attractive when it was dark and
the peaks and drifts were only light
ed by the stars which shone never 80
brightly as just above her head.
When he allowed her she loved to
stand sometimes in the full fury of
the gale with the wind shrieking and
sobbing like lost souls in some icy
Inferno through the hills and over the
pines, the snow beating upon her, the
sleet cutting her face II she dared to
turn toward the storm. Generally no
left her alone In the quieter moments,
but in the tempest he stood watchful,
on guard by her side, buttressing her.
protecting her, sheltering her. Indeed
his presence then was necessary,
without him she could scarce have
maintained footing. The force Of
the wind might have hurled her down
the mountain but for his strong arm.
When the cold grew too great he led
her back carefully to the hut and the
warm fire. fl. u l;S
All, yes, life. and the world were
both beautiful to her then, in night,
n day. by sunlight, By moonlight, In
calm and storm, Yet It made no dit.
ference what was spread before the
woman's eyes, what glorious picture
was exhibited to her gaze, she could
not look at It more than q moment
without thinking Of the man. With
the most fascinating panorama that
the earth's surface could spread be.
fore human vision TO engage her a.
tention, shS looked Into her own
heart and Jaw there this man!
Oh. she had fought against II at
Arst, but lately she had luxuriated
81 Il. She loved him. she loved himl
And why not? What = II that WON
On love 20 meal Strength Of bodyf