Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1908-04-16

| 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, was4it 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 outflow 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 COM
! posed than she had been on the pre-
! ceeding evening, and was inclined to
| talk in light and almost pleasant
vein:
| 81 slept a little after you had gone,
| and then I awoke again. AfterWard L
slept" she said, in answer to Chrlsta-
! bells inquiry; yes, for two or three
! hours. Choral" she added, pointing
to bottle on her dressing table. ITS
not often that | can get any sleep
without the aid of something of the
/ kind
But, Mary, that's very bad" pro-
| tested Christabel.
81 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
| 1t, and am better this morning; my
nerves are not so much on edge. Last
night I was a mere bundle of Jared
! and Earring nerves. Of course, | feel
! the effects of the drug, but | 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. |
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, 1 think, so l am
! going down"
Have you heard how Sir John isl"
al ho &c oh
| the same; there is still no a mark
ed change" replied Mary, with sigh
Il hope you have forgotten what | said
last night, Christabel; l was not my
self and broke down"
Yes; I 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
well goes quite early to the city; he
; is an exemplary man of business, |
! 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 he likes-quite charming,
| in fact; he's not in the least a 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-
! ceiver. And you are very pretty, my
! dear I thought the nurse who would
i be sent here would be-Well, some
! elderly person Maxwell does not
| 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, sis
| very fond of him. but they don't really
| get on we'll together; they are too
much alike. You will think | am a
very candid sort of sister, Christabel,
but-he's my stepbrother and Lady
| Sisterson is my stepmother. [ never
| knew either of them until | was quite
grown up, for after my mothers death
| 7 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
home-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,
| with my wretched health, | cannot be
very lively, you see, and | don't assert
myself"
''Have you no women friends?
asked Christabel
'Acquaintances-ma but no
friends Perhaps you will let me
make friend of you, Christabel;
feel as if could said Mary, gazing
wistfully at her.
Yes, Mary, | am more than will
ing" said Christabel, and Mary took
her in her arms and kissed her.
you will tell me all about yourself
dear? | should like to hear about
everything you are interested in. By
and by, perhaps, you will tell me-
what you like"
About nurses and nursing?" asked
Christabel. with a happy laugh. There
is not much to say about us and oul
work"
Still, | want to hear all about ev
erything. I've had nurses myself but
| never took to one as | have taken tC
you, dear | Jam SO delighted that we
are going to be friends And there
certainly was a pleased expression or