The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-04-17
"Have you no women friepds?"
asked Christabel. a97'sf

"Have you no women friends ?"
asked Christabel.
"Acquaintances-many, but no
friends. Perhaps you will let me
make friend of you, Christabel
feel as If could; said Mary, gazing
wistfully at her.
Eyes, Mary, l 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? l should like to hear about
everything You are interested in. BY
end by. perhaps. you will tell me
what you like"
About nurses and nursing?" asked
ChEstabel, with happy laugh. There
is not much TO say about us and our
work."
Still, I want to hear all about ev.
erything. I've had nurses myself, but
l never took to oLe as have taken to
you. dear. am so delighted that we
are going to be friends" And there
certainly was a pleased expression on
Mary's face. Little did either of them
dream how that friendship of theirs
was to be tried before the end.
What did you think of NJ. Anato.
vitch?' asked Mary, and without wait
ing for reply size said: "Of course,
you know he is Russian; he is the
head of the Sisterson business in Rus
STA. He is unmarried, and his sister
lives with him in a beautiful old sort
of castle near Sulja, where the cement
works are. We've made all our money
out of cement, but suppose you have
heard that; it's not one bit romantic.
is it? Cement. just cement! Father
found out the secret"
Mary stopped abruptly, and any
brightness there had been in her face
fed. She grew very white, and SEEM
ed on the point Of collapse. But she
rallied herself with tremendous ef-
fort
Are you feeling faint?" asked
Christabel, in alarm.
NO" answered Mary: cit is moth
ing. l was telling you about M. Ana
tovitch and Sulja-don't you think
Sulja a pretty name?-it has mean
ing but forget what it is. went
there once with M. Anatovitch's sister.
and stopped month with her; l
should like to go again. South Russia
really suited me, and l felt very we'll
there-that is, for me- But it is time.
Christabel, that we went down to
breakfast; it doesn't matter about me,
but imagine you have record to
keep up for punctality. have you not?
Let us 60"
On their way they met NJ. Anato-
witch. who bowed to them gravely and
exchanged the conventional greetings.
Maxwell was already in the breakfast
room, but he scarcely spoke to them;
he seemed to be in sullen mood. and
occupied himself with his morning pa
per as if he disliked what he read in
it. He frightened mp, however. as he
read on. and presently he turned to
Mary.
Would you care to take Nurse
Joyce for drive in a motor car this
morning?" he asked. 1T will fresllen
Eer up for the day. You can t.ke my
car. if you wish. I'll send it back from
the city at once for you after AnatG,.
witch and have got TO the Office. Do
you think. nurse. you would like a
spin?' he inquired Of Christabel, with
q smile that seemed to beg of her to
ignore their last meeting.
Very much said Christabel; Il
am sure it would be very nice
What do you say. Mary?" he asked,
pleasantly, turning to his stepsister.
II. too. think ii will be very nice"
said Mary; she was about to add
something when Flint the strange
surgeon. came into the room.
Il could not come earlier" lie apollo.
gizel. for l was with Sir John. He.
is quite wide awake. Almost himself"
Flint went on. in his staccato manner.
"Re wishes to see Miss Sisterson at
once
Mary rose from her seat and hastily
went out Of the room: her face had
once again become terribly white. hag-
gard, and drawn.
Ito Be continued.)