The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-06-26

sV3yVus <0EASs6UOll MA NO 0lmCUlty
In guessing what It WAS he wished 60
much to say to her, and Tor awhile her
thoughts were bright, radiant, Joyous.
And then she asked herself what an
swer was she to make to the question
she knew he meant to put to her.
Gould she accept Norman's love and
become his wife? Every fiber Of her
being answered Yes, and up till the
previous night no other answer would
have seemed possible to her. But
now?
She was afraid-afraid Of herself
afraid that her love for him might
prove a traitor and betray her. She
must never tell Norman what she
knew-honor forbade it, and she chung
to this idea as shipwrecked, drown
ing watch clings to q life-belt. Could
she accept him in these circum-
stances? No, it was impossible: she
was afraid that her strength would be
insufficient. And yet she loved him:
her heart was crying out, hungry and
athirst, for his love. What was she
to do?
Should she put him OF? But that
would only mean delay, for If he did
not put the question on the morrow.
then he would on some other day.
Should she decline to meet him alto.
gether? That was the best, perhaps.
but she shrank from this course,
which. in any case, would be difficult
to carry out, seeing that Norman and
her brother were so closely associat.
ed. Yes, she would see him to.mor-
row, and tell him that she could not
marry him. But what would he
what must he-think Of her? That
was the bitterest part Of her trial. He
would never know all that was in her
heart, but must deem her light, triv-
ial, and false. She suffered cruelty
as she thought of the, pain she must
inevitably cause him.
And then she rebelled against the
tyranny of fate, and asked, in an
agony of soul why she had been thrust
into this terrible position. But she
could see no escape from it, and her
mind was made up. Love must be
sacrificed; honor was higher than
love, and its command must be obeyed
She would see him tomorrow morn
ing. After her duty was over at mid
night she would write to him to say
she would meet him. And then that
would mean the end!
At dinner Maxwell Sisterson looked
and talked as if nothing out of the or
binary had occurred that dav. hut
Lady Sisterson's manner was marked
by great constraint. Before the serv.
ants. however, the outward forms of
life had to be maintained, and the din
ner was very much like any other din
ner in that room since Sir Johns &C.
cident.
On returning to the sick room
Christabel found that Sir John was
speaking; she caught some of the
words with which she was now so ia.
miliar and shudder passed over her.
Yes, yes" Sir John was saying,
quietly. I'm afraid he's dead. Very,
very sad. Yes; he fell from the top
of the scaffo,ding. He must have
made false step or by some mis-
chance lost his balance. No; did not
see him fall, but I heard the crash.
Yes. it's frightfully sad. Here's my
card, of11cer-John Sisterson, builder,
Wandsworth. He's my partner, and
as good a man as ever stepped. Get
an ambulance-yes; Toms dead. Best
take him home. Dead!" And Sir
Johns voice stopped.
Mary turned to Christabel and grasp
ed her hand.t
isn't it awful?" asked Mary. Don't
you pity him." 49,.
"Yes,' said Christabel, but her voice
was dull and toneless.
Mary looked at her sorrowfully,
shook her head, and went out of the
room. With the exception of DR..
Flint no one came in until the male
nurse appeared at midnight, where
upon Clristabel hurried off to write
her letter to Norman. She knew that
if it was posted before 5 o'clock it
would be delivered at his Office by the
first post in the morning.
Ito Be continued.)