The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1912-09-20

me, am not quite sure"
1T was because" burst out the
man impetuously. and then he stopped
abruptly and Just in time.
Enid Maitland smiled at him in q
way that indicated she knew what
was behind the sudden check he had
imposed upon himself.
Whatever your reason. your curl
osity-"
Don't call It that, please
Your desire then has been graf
lied. Now 1t is my turn. 1 am not
even sure about your name. have
seen 1t in these books and naturally
have imagined that It is yours"
1T 10 NINE"
We'll. that 10 really all that know
about you. And now shall be quite
frank. l want to know more. You
evidently have something to conceal
or you would not be living here in
this way. I have never asked you
about yourself, or manifested the
least curiosity to solve the problem
you present. to find the solution Of the
mystery Of your life."
Perhaps" said the man, you
didn't care enough about it to take
the trouble to inquire"
you know" answered the girl,
that is not true. l have been con-
sumed with desire to know"
"A woman's curiosity?"
mot that" was the soft answer
that turned away his wrath.
She was indeed frank. There was
that in her way Of uttering those two
simple words that set his pulses
bounding. He was not altogether and
absolutely blind.
Come" said the girl, extending her
hand to him. I'VE are alone here to-
gether. We must help each other.
You have helped me, you have been
OF the greatest service to me. I can't
begin to count all that you have done
for me: my gratitude"
"Only that?"
But that Is all that you have ever
asked or expected" answered the
young woman In a low voice whose
gentle tones did not at all accord
with the holiness and courage of the
speech.
you meant" asked the man, star
ing at her, his face aflame.
Il mean," answered the girl swift
". wtlfully misinterpreting and turn
ing his half spoken question another
way. Il mean that am sure that
trouble has brought you here. do
not wish to force your confidence, I
have no right to do so, yet should
IKE to enjoy it: can't you give 1t to
me? want to help you, I want to
do my best to make some return for
what you have been to me and have
done for me-"
II ask but one thing" he said quick
ly.
"And what is that?"
But again he checked himself.
mo-" he said, II am not free to ask
anything Of you"
And that answer to Enid Maitland
was like knife thrust in the heart
The two had been standing confront.
ing each other. Her heart grew
faint within her. She stretched out
her hand vaguely az If for support.
He stepped toward her, but before he
reached her. she caught the back of
the chair and sank down weakly.
That he should be bound and not free
had never once occurred to her: she
had quite misinterpreted the meaning
Of his remark.
The man did not help her, he could
not help her. He just stood and
looked at her. She fought valiantly
for self-control moment or two and
then. utterly oblivious to the betrayal
Of her feelings involved in the ques.
tion-the moments were too great for
consideration of such trivial matters
she faltered.
'You mean there is some other wo-
mani"
He shook his head in negation.
II don't understand. There was
some other woman?"
3 b Eyes"
where 10 she now.'-.
VIZ Dead.
.But you said you were not free"
Y He nodded. If ~
did you care 20 much for her that
noW-that now" Ss -.
nv Enid" no cried desperately. ..Be.
Meve me. ! never knew what love
va until ] met you"
The secret was out now; It had
hAan knovn IN ShAr stn,,n~ $780, = ~