The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-09-18

lduSu Ulou away IIOW uoT lips, anu she
suddenly stood still, gazing at Christa-
bel with startled eyes.
Surely, Dmitri, it cannot bel" ex-
claimed Katia, still looking earnestly
at Christabel, but addressing her
brother.
what cannot be-" asked Mary
again, glancing from Katia to Dmitri.
and from Dmitri to Christabel. All
four had now stopped.
There is one explanation, and one
only, that can see," said Dmitri in a
whisper. having first looked all around
as If he feared being overheard. ''The
authorities, the government, in their
paternal care for Russia, sometimes
deem it expedient or necessary to ex-
anime the mails and to confiscate let
tiers which they think it-well, unwise
to forward or deliver"
But my letters were not of that
character!" exclaimed Christabel in
bewilderment.
"Of course not" said Mary, with en-
ergy. "The idea is absurd, M. Anato-
vitch!"
$50 should have thought" returned
Dmitri. Certainly no one would ever
have suspected Miss Joyce of being a
nihilist or a revolutionary" He still
spoke in whisper.
Dmitri had foreseen that sooner or
later he would have to face the ques-
ton of the missing letters, and was
prepared.
"Christabel a nihilist or a revolu-
tionary!" cried Mary, regard ess of
the warning "Hush!" and mot so
loud!" that came from Dmitri. 1T is
preposterous!"
What do you say, Nurse Joyce?
asked Katia, who had now quite for
gotten to laugh; it was clear that her
brothers words had made deep i'm
preston upon her. She, too, spoke in
a whisper.
1T seems to me ridiculous" said
Christabel. "There was nothing in my
letters or in my brothers, am GER
tain, that your government could pos
sibly object to. You believe that your
postofice authorities open letters go
ing through the post, NJ Anatovitch?"
she inquired 'They don't do that in
England"
Russia is not England, my dear
young lady," said Dmitri, suayely.
"You must remember that! And am
afraid the state of my country is such
as to warrant the action of the author
ities. Believe me, find it difficult to
imagine that you have anything to do
with the revolutionary party, Miss
Joyce, but it is the only explanation
that can suggest about your letters"
Some one laughed; 1t was Mary.
II never heard anything so mon
strous," she said. "Christabel has no
more to do with your revolutionists
than l have There must be some 9TH
er explanation
But Dmitri shook his head, and it
was plain from Katia's manner that
she also was sceptical.
IL cannot suggest anything else
said Dmitri, and his voice was exceed
ingly grave.
But tell me, M. Anatovitch," said
Christabel, why you seem to think I
am a revolutionist. Do I look like
one?"
Some very beautiful women have
been and are revolutionists," he re-
piled, with meaning glance.
"And appearances are deceitful, -
said Katia, on whom her brothers i'm
piled compliment to Christabel was
not lost.
Your postal authorities don't con-
fiscste kilograms. at any rate" re-
marked Christabel, holding up Philips
dispatch. at is surprising this has
Gene through. if am under suspicion,
isn't it,"
kilograms are in somewhat diff
ferent category from letters" answer
ed Dmitri. easily, land there may be
nothing Objectionable in yours"
There was just as little to take OBJ.
lection to in the letters. l INSURE"
said Christabel.
Perhaps you referred to Russia in
them" observed Dmitri.
Eyes; but not to Russian politics
Of which I know nothing except in
the most general way"
Whereupon Katia shifted audibly.
II must answer my brothers. tele
gram at once" continued Christabel
will you kindly see that it is sent on
all right. M. Anatovitch?"
Certainly. III do all can for you
Miss Joyce" he replied, with another
meaning glance.
So Christabel gave him her reply
to Philips first telegram, and Dmitr
destroyed the letters.
Neither she nor Mary attached any
importance to what Dmitri had said
regarding possible connection be
tween Christabel and the revolution
lists, but rumors Of disturbances tina
began to reach them, in the course o
the next few days through Katia gavl
a show Of FEASIBILITY to part Of th,
explanation he had given. But Chris
I'll ~ = l-f+