The pioneer express., 1912-08-09


cheeks redder than ever. The two
men confronted each other unfiinch-
ingly for moment, then Mr.. Maitland
touched bell button in the wall by
his side. Instantly the footman made
his appearance.
James," said the old man, his voice
shaking and his knees trembling with
passion. which he did. not quite sue.
ceed in controlling. despite a desper.
ate effort. "Show this-er-gentle.
man the door. Good morning, sir; our
first and last interview is over"
He bowed with ceremonious polite.
ness as he spoke, becoming more and
more composed as he felt himself
mastering the situation. And Arm.
strong, to do him justice, knew gen.
tleman when he saw him, and secretly
admired the older man and began to
feel a touch Of shame at his own rude
way Of putting things.
beg pardon, SIR" said the footman
breaking the awkward silence, "but
here Is telegram that has Just come
SIR"
There was nothing for Armstrong tc
do or say. Indeed, having expressed
himself SO unrestrainedly to his rapid
lylncreasing regret, as the old man
took the telegram he turned away IL
considerable discontinue. James bow
Ing before him at the door opening
into the hall and following him as he
slowly passed out. Mr.. Stephen Matt
land mechanically and with great de
liberation and with no premonition oi
evil tidings, tore open the yellow en-
velope and glanced at the dispatch
Neither the visitor nor the footma1
had got out Of sight or hearing when
they heard the old man groan and
fall back helplessly into chair. Bott
men turned and ran back to the door
for there was that in the exclamation
which gave rise to instant apprehen
sion. Stephen Maitland now, as white
as death, sat collapsed in the chair
gasping for breath, his hand on hi.
heart; the telegram lay open on the
floor. Armstrong recognized the Sc
riousness of the situation, and 1,
three steps was by the others side.
What is it," he asked eagerly, hi,
hatred and resentment vanishing a
the sight Of the old mans CHASTITY
stricken countenance.
Enid" gasped her father. II sale
would rather see her-dead, butt
Is not true-I-
James Armstrong was q man O
prompt decision, without a moment,
hesitation he picked up the telegram
it was full of explicitly, thus 1t read:
I'VE were encamped last week 1,
the mountains. Enid went down tn,
canon for days fishing alone. A sud
den cloudburst filled the canon, wash
ed away the camp. Enid undoubted
ly got caught in the torrent and wa,
drowned. We have found some of he
clothing, but not her body. Hav,
searched every foot of the canon
Think body has got into the lake, nov
frozen, snow falling, mountains i'm
passable: will search for her in tn,
spring when the winter breaks. an
following this telegram in person b,
the first train. Would rather hav,
died a thousand deaths than had thi,
happen. God help us.
ROBERT MAITLAND"
Armstrong read it, stared at it .
moment, frowning heavily, passed Il
over to the footman and turned to the
stricken father.
"Old man, loved her." he said
simply. II love her still; believe
that she loves me. They haven
found her body, clothes mean moth
ing. I'll find her, I'll search the noun
tains until l do. Don't give way;
something tells me that she's alive
and I'll find her"
IF you do," said the broken ole
man, crushed by the swift and awfu
response to his thoughtless exclama
tion, "and she loves you, you shall
have her for your wife,"
1T doesn't need that to make me
find her." answered Armstrong grim
~. .'she is woman. lost in the noun
tains in the winter, alone. They
shouldn't have given up the search
I'll find her as there is God above
me whether she's for me or not"
a. good deal Of a man. this James
Armstrong Of Colorado. in spite ot
many things in his past Of which he
thought 30 little that he lacked the
grace to be ashamed Of them. Stephen
Maitland looked at him with Ger
tain respect and growing hope, az
he stood there in the library. stern,
resolute. strong.
Perhaps ---- i 4 4
81 CHAPTER IL.