The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-10-23
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busy.
Looking back, Chrstabel took last
glance at Sulja, now almost lost in
smoke, and thought of all that had
happened to her there. She thought
CT Katia-what had become of her?
She had not seen or heard of her for
weeks. Had she persisted in the
flames? She thought of Dmitri and
his terrible end, and shuddered and
grew sick as the scene repeated itself
to her in which he had died. But she
thought most of Mary-gentle, yet
courageous, Mary Sisterson-whose
funeral pyre was that vanishing house
OF blood and fire-the house which at
an earlier period in her life had per.
haps been the home to her of some
tender illusion. Mary was gone, and
could never suffer more in body or
in spirit. Perhaps that was best.
Christabel wondered what was be-
fore herself now-whither her fate
was leading her. What was to be her
destiny? She was glad, and yet she
was melancholy too. The Sisterson
secrets still reared themselves like
forbidding spectres between herself
and the man she loved. But she could
not long think at that time of this OF
Of anything else, for reaction super
vened after all the excitement she had
gone through, and her mind refused to
act. She closed her eyes and felt the
pressure Of Norman's hand in hers
it was reassuringly sweet. She was
happy, for was not Norman by her
side? That was enough for the pres
ent.
The great fact in Norman's mind
which cast every other thing into the
shade was that here away from this
senseless and savage Russia, that he
was taking her home. He dreamed
dreams; he made plans; all the pc.
etry and romance in his nature welled
up within him; then he lost himself
in kind of soft, golden haze in which
ideas and impressions, himself and
Christabel, their love and their lives,
and the round world itself all min
gled, separated, and mingled aagin to
glamour, its magic, it's mystery, it's
power.
Aksakof sat silent, driving steadily
confidently, thinking his own thoughts,
consratulating himself doubtless on
having added another chapter to that
Gospel of Terror he and the like of
him preach and live up to for the sal
walton of Russia.
Have you considered what you are
to do when you have reached Odes.
sa?" suddenly asked Aksakoff of Nor
man, when they were within few
miles of that city. You must have
some sort of story to tell in order to
account for your speedy return from
Sulja-and not unaccompanied." And
he smiled at Christabel. "Have YOU
any scheme?"
Il want to get out of Russia at
once" replied Norman. Il had not
thought of the way, but l hoped YOU
might be able to help us in that mat
ter too. But we owe so much to YOU
already that"
mo, thanks" Interrupted Aksakoff.
1T is who owe yor-more than | can
tell. Still, need not trouble you with
that"
He pulled out his watch.
1T is now nearly O'clock" he said,
putting the watch into his pocket
again. "a steamer leaves for Galatz
to-day at noon, and you must catch it
at all hazards. BY that time news of
what has happened at Sulja will be
filtering in to Odessa. but it will not
be known positively, and the details
will be lacking or false. You must
get away before the news is in the
mouth of everybody"
Il can go, but Miss Joyce has no
clothes-notLing," said Norman, sug.
gestively. Il am not going to leave
without her.
81 did not imagine anything else,"
replied Aksakoff. what l propose is
that I shall leave on the way to the
Hotel d'Angleterre, Miss Joyce at my
house with my mother, who will look
after her and supply her with what is
necessary-there are plenty of shops,
for that matter, where she can get a
small outfit; it must be small, be.
cause the time is SO short. Then l
shall take you on to your hotel, drop
you there, and return to my home.
You must pack at once, see about your
passports and tickets, and be at the
quay by half past eleven, when Miss
Joyce, my mother and myself VIII
meet you.''
''This is very good of you," said
Christabel gratefully.
mot at ALL" he said, smilingly.
"And the story I have to tell?'
asked Norman.
"You can say that you saw Dmitrl
Anatovitch and transacted your bust
ness sooner than you expected-which
will be quite true" said Aksakoft
grimly, to Norman. Then you car
add that you received intelligence
which compels you to leave at once
for Galatz. think that will do. And
you can account for your appearance
by a slight accident to the motor;
your face still bears marks of the fall