The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-04-17


rude, ill-timed compliments. Well, she
had had to put up with something like
that before: it was no new thing i'll
the life of nurse who happened to
be attractive for men to try to flirt
with her. Christabel had known of
nurses who had been compelled to
leave their patients because of being
subjected to undesired attentions. Gas
ii could not take care OF myself" she
thought. And, then, was there not
Norman Forde?
1t was Mary Sisterson who interest
ed her most. and as she retired to rest
her mind was full of her and the Curl
! GUS things she had said. What was
covered by that remarkable saying of
hers that she wished both herself and
| her father dead? Was it merely an
outburst that came of shattered
nerves, or could there be something
behind it? Was there some other
reason? Could it be that she had
| been the victim of some unfortunate
tragic love affair? Or was it simply
that life was dreadful to her now that
her father was struck down? Or, more
simply still, was it merely the express
sion of an hysterical temperament?
At the moment Mary had spoken so
strangely some such questions as
these had flashed upon Christabel-
questions which had quickly vanished
before the quick utf1ow of her warm
| sympathy: but now these questions
came back. Christabel at last fell
asleep thinking about them.
When next morning she went into
+, Mary Sisterson's room before going
down to breakfast. she was glad to
| find the latter up dressed. and looking
much better: she was much more CON-
posed than she had been on the pre-
| ceeding evening. and was inclined to
| talk in light and almost pleasant
| vein:
Il slept little after you had gone,
and then awoke again. Afterward
slept" she said. in answer to Christa-
bells inquiry: yes, for two or three
hours. Choral" she added, pointing
! to Il bottle on her dressing table. It's
not often that ! can get any sleep
without the aid of something of the
kind ...
But, Mary. that's very bad" pro
tested Christabel
Il know it is. but it is worse not to
| sleep. To lie awake hour after hour,
/ thinking, thinking. always thinking
that is far too awful. | cannot stand
it. and am better this morning: my
nerves are not so much on edge. Last
night | was a mere bundle of Jared
and Earring nerves. OF course. feel
the effects Of the drug, but l am used
to them. 1t makes me feel heavy and
dull. But don't mind that"
IF it is necessary" said Christabel,
then you must have it, suppose"
Yes, it's necessary, Christabel l
should be glad to do without it, but
simply can't. Now | am going down
TO breakfast with you generally
have my breakfast in bed. but should
like to be with you, | think, SO am
going down."
Have you heard how Sir John is?"
My maid told me that he is much
the same: there is still no mark
ed change" replied Mary. with a sigh.
! II hope you have forgotten what said
last night Chlistabel; I was not my
self and broke down.
Yes: | know you were completely
unnerved."
Mary nodded. and then she went
on:
Lady Sisterson will not be down:
there will just be Maxwell and NJ An
atovitch at breakfast. and you met
them both last night at dinner Max
we'll goes quite early to the city: he
is an exemplary man of business,
F, believe. and he is as hard as nails He
! has not heart at ALL / think though
/ understand that he has weakness for
! pretty women. And he can be very
| nice when lie likes-quite charming,
/! in fact; he's not in the least stupid
man, but if he has a heart at all it is
made of stone. Don't lose yours to
him, Christabel for he is a gay de-
oeiver. And you are very pretty my
dear. ! thought the nurse who would
he sent here would be-well, some
. >iuSii. PSi ooA. GNoh "Cli uOCS lOI
care for anybody but himself. nor for
anything but money"
/ This struck Christabel as very plain
! speaking, but, of course, she said
nothing; yet thought it singular that
both Lady Sisterson and Mary had
| warned her against him.
His mother continued Mary, ''is
very fond of him, but they don't really
get on well together; they are too
much alike. You will think l am a
very candid sort of sister, Christabel,
but-he's my stepbrother and Lady
Sisterson is my stepmother. I never
knew either of them until was quite
grown up, for after my mothers death
was sent abroad-it was Lady Sis
terson's doing-and did not return to
England until was woman. know
Lady Sisterson does not like me, nor
does MAXWELL never had the happy
homa-life other children have. Per.
haps that has made me bitter; they
have never been nice to me; but faith.
er always has been most kind. Then,