The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-08-28

|
for the same reason, could she be ig-
norant that he admired her still more
now. But the man could be nothing
to her, was nothing to her, and when
she suspected that he was falling in
love with her she sought to avoid
him, but that was not easy at Sulja.
AS she was situated she could not
help seeing him often. But for a
while no incident occurred to alarm
her, for of the real Dmitri Anatovitch
she knew nothing; he always wore a
smiling mask, and his courtesy was
perfect. On the whole, she rather
liked him, greatly preferring him to
the undertaking Katia, who had by
this time ceased to be kind to her, for
Dmitri's sister saw that he was at
tracted by this English girl, and deep
ly resented this too.
To such a nature as that of Dmitri
Anatovitch it did not matter that he
knew she loved another man, or that
he saw he made no progress with her;
these things but fed the fame of his
passion. Even his resolve that she
| !.
Two things absolutely antagonistic-
two of the greatest passions that can
sway the heart of man-now ragged
within the breast of Dmitri. Love
fought against war, and war fought
against love. 1t was terrible duel in
which now the one. now the other APP
peared to triumph; but it was duel
that went on and on.
For days and weeks, until month
had passed since the coming of Chris
label, the duel went on And all the
while, like a sort of internal back
ground against which it was being
fought, there was the knowledge in
Dmitri's soul that the spirit of disaf-
lection was spreading and growing
amongst his workmen; that the ring
leader who had escaped was back
again, but was concealed so effective
Nv that he was unable to lay his hands
upon him; and that strike, attended
with blood and fire, was almost GER
tain to occur in the near future. There
were ominous rumors, too, of revolu-
zionist activity at Odessa. Dmitri
went about with loaded revolver in
his pocket.
1t was at this time Katia proposed,
now Mary was better, that they should
make a tour of inspection of the works
in the cool OF the evening. Dmitri
was not present when this project was
mooted, and when it was mentioned
he was for peremptorily forbidding it,
but gave way when Mary backed up
Katia, and Christabel-pleased that
Mary should go out again-also wish
ed it. None Of the ladies knew what
was going On among the men at the
works, and he did not desire to fright
en- them.
you must put cloaks over your
dresses" he stipulated. "and it will be
we'll if you put on your very Oldest
clothes. AS it is, you will be smoth-
cred with dust. must warn you in
advance that the works are not inter-
esting: they are only very, very
dusty"
ooh. there is one interesting part at
least" exclaimed Katia, nodding at
him in laughing reproach, "a kind of
BluebeaTd's chamber, call it, which
Dmitri will never show to any one,
and of which he alone has the key.
you must get him to show it to us,
Mary He will do it for you, perhaps;
he won't for me-"
Dmitri smiled gravely, but did not
answer.
Promise Miss Sisterson that you
will show it to u.s." she cried.
mot If we should not see it." said
Mary, gently.
Il am afraid all that can show you
of what Katia with her nonsense calls
the Bluebeard's chamber is the out.
side. What she refers to is my labor.
atory," he explained. land no one may
go into it save myself 1t is the rule. ("
Katia made mouth at him. pout-
ing and laughing.
''It's full Of dark secrets, I'm sure"
she said, "but you'll let us see it."
"The outside, yes, but can do no
more" he replied, with his eyes fixed
on Christabel, who must guess, he
thought, what was the meaning and
the use of this sealed chamber; but
she met his gaze with her usual frank.
ness of expression.
well, if you won't. you won't" said
Katia, with loud laugh.
Dmitri conducted them over the
works, which, as he truly said, were
not interesting. He showed them the
huge furnaces in which the limestone
that is the base Of all building &C.
ments was calcired; he showed them
the enormous watts In which the cal
cined limestone was Stacked; he show
ed them the small hills of chalk and
clay; he showed them where the vari
our ingredients were ground under
water. and told them something about
the machinery used; he was capital
guide.
1T is all very dull and very dusty
! said Katia. How the cement get.
4! into ones throat! Now for YOU
chamber Of horrors, Dmitri. In II
surely there will be something fol
v Miss Sisterson to see!.". s
i554ssY t1,Nul, n : - <r,I. $lvn sI n.