The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-05-01

witch stealthily
81 hope you enjoyed your drive,
nurse" said Maxwell to her in the
course OF the intermittent talk during
the meal. Where did you go?"
Il enjoyed it exceedingly" said
Christabel. I'VE did not go anywhere
in particular; we just made one or
two calls, and >afterward went round
the park three times, but 1T was de-
liehtful."
You did not make much use of the
car" he said; you could easily have
done forty or even fifty miles, for it is
a very powerful car. You must try 1t
again. nurse. There really is no rea-
son why you and Mary should not
have it every morning. If you care for
that sort Of thing; | am sure it will do
you both good"
You are very kind" said Christa-
bel. I'll do anything that Miss Sister
son Wishes" she added, by way of put
ting the matter on a right footing;
she did not desire to be indebted to
Maxwell Sisterson.
said Lady Sisterson, with an air of
displeasure, that you and Miss Sis
terson were out in Maxwell's motor
car this morning. I dare say 1t was
very refreshing but would not a walk
have furnished better exercise?"
Perhaps it would" said Christabel,
rather CURLY, resenting the snub.
S.C MN~ ,N1l
They can have the car after it comes
back from the city if they want it
why not?'
Lady Sisterson looked away and did
not reply.
so you made some calls this morn
ing?" asked Maxwell. Shopping, II
may venture guess?"
We didn't do any shopping" re-
turned Christabel. She was on the
point of saying that they had driven
to Cout!s' bank. when she stopped
herself in time-Mary might not like
l:er to mention it, Miss Sisterson
was good enough to drive me to my
brothers Office" she continued. after
slight pause, in Shaftesbury ave-
nue.. as wished to let him know that
was here"
Your brothers Office" said Max
well. Il ho9e ou won't think me in
to.erably rude if ask what is his line
of business. nurse? l am a business
man myself
He is All architect. and the name
Of his firm is Joyce & Forde.'
Joyce & Forde." repeated Maxwell.
in a strange tone: his slow voice had
quite disappointed. rs Norman Forde
by any chance his nance" he asked.
Will, what seemed to Christabel some
feeling deeper than curiosity.
Yes, that is his name" she replied.
and the warm color was suddenly in
her cheeks .....
And Philip Joyce is your brother?"
Yes
Christabe! was looking at him won
deringly. and she noticed his gaze
shifted uneasily from her to his moth
err with a sort of silent Interrogation.
She saw that something definite and
significant was passing between Lady
Sisterson and her son-something
that in way concerned her, too. and
size felt vogue alarm.
do you happen to know Mr.. Forde
or my brother?" she asked Maxwell
Not personally" he returned, hasti-
ly. still speaking as if he were put out,
"but-but I've heard of them" Then,
after a seconds pause. lie went on in
the slew and measured accents he
usually affected. ut was mere mat
ter of business, nurse. We had 10
erect some new buildings, for which
we needed plans to be drawn. and the
names Of Joyce & Forde with others
were submitted to us-that is how we
came 10 know them"
Chljstabel smiled acceptance of the
explanation. She was not ,ls-
picious woman, and Maxwell's state
ment seemed plausible; yet she did
not forget the unaccountable change
that had come over him Oh her nl..l
tioniag the firm of Joyce &. Forla
Dinner over. she returned to Sir
Johns room. Opening the docr Ct it
Softly. she was astonisl IL tn hear his
voice. and to see Mary standing by his
bedside with face convulsed with
grief. Noi.elessly she closed the
door, and stepping up to Mary put her
hand on her arm.
Down. down fifty feet" said Sir
John. "Dead-killed; never meant it,
Tom. It's neutrality-suspicious.
much for me-impulse-never meant.
to murder you, Tom-never, Tom,
never-coming, Tom, coming, Tom,
CON-
And the words died away.
"Oh, Christabel. isn't it terrible to
hear him." exclaimed Mary, tearfully.
WAS it that which you heard him say
last night?" Il
mo. dear, 1t was not, but 1t, was.
perhaps, something like It," Christabel
answered. 35 Isl
These are the very words he said
the first time he spoke after the acct:
dent, and have; heard them more
than once. AZ other times he speaks
Of q secret, . trade secret. Y
Yes; he was talking Of Il last
IL