The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-10-09

&9c1eHU@O@U&C2HSV W&OeaC@ O@O@D(
i The Honor Of i
& Nurse Joyce |;
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CHAPTER XXX

And why, he puzzled himself, had
Anatovitch acted in this manner?
What reason had Anatovitch for keep
ing Christabel a prisoner? There
must be reason. Could it have any
thing to do with that unpenetrated
secret, which had caused her to refuse
to marry him in spite of the fact that
she loved him? That secret lay for
ever in the foreground of his mind,
overshadowing all his thoughts, yet
how was it possible, he asked, that
Anatovitch could come into it? What
share in it could he have?
But the question gave instant place
to the surging up within Norman of
sheer rage and furious anger as he
thought OF Christabel in the hands of
Anatovitch; his passions stormed up
violent and terrible, like a tempest in
tropic seas. The savage which is in
all men was shouting to him to clutch
his enemy by the throat and to choke
the life out of him; his hands even
involuntarily made the suggestive
movement. How long had she been
in this mans power? Had Aksakoff
said for fortnight? Or was it longer?
Was this the explanation of her mys-
FERROUS silence? Why had this man
done this thing? Was there some plot,
some conspiracy against the girl?
So Norman Forde stumbled in the
dark-in the familiar human fashion
which, by some blindness of the
mind, fails to perceive the simplest
solutions of problems.
At length it seemed to Norman that
Aksakcff had been gone long time,
though it was only five minutes-the
Russian came back into the room.
Norman looked at him with eager
eyes.
'The messenger who brought me
the news regarding Miss Joyce" said
Aksakoff brisllly, seeing that look,
was compelled to return without de-
lay; that is why asked you to hurry
with your letter to her. She will get
1t tonight, you may rest assured of it,
my friend. 1t will be given to her by
the person who acts as her jailer."
And Aksakoff smiled,
won't you tell me everything?"
asked Norman, impatiently, with an
imploring gesture. SIS she well?'
Il gathered that she was we'll, and
save for being kept to one room was
not in other respects badly treated.
Have you guessed why Anatovitch
keeps her prisoner"
NO. said Norman. "Why is it,"
1T is because he is in love with
her."
What" cried Norman explosively.
To an Englishman Of the twentieth
century it had not occurred that
man would make prisoner the woman
he loved in order to force her to
yield.
Yes; and she would have nothing
to do with him, and he is trying to
break her spirit or bend her will to
his"
But this is cowardly and infamus!"
exclaimed Norman. ''Or is Anatovitch
q madman?"
Certainly he is not mad, unless it
be mad with love for this young lady,
who is said to be beautiful" replied
Aksakoff.
in the world,' cried Norman.
''Ah! l see, my friend" said ARsa-
koff, softly, glancing away as Norman
blushed furiously. Perhaps, then"
he continued, looking at Norman
again, there may be good ground
for the madness of Anatovitch."
she must be got out of the hands
of this mad fellow at once" said Nor
man. That is the chief thing"
Il understand and sympathize with
your Impotence, but how do you pro-
pose to achieve it,"
"The British consul-your authori-
ties began Norman, quickly.
no" said Aksakoff. with abrupt
decision. "At hest, that would mean
delay, perhaps long delay. Justice
moves slowly in Russia in the case
of private individuals. Miss Joyce
must be rescued; we-you must res.
cue her.
eyes. yes,' cried Norman, eagerly,
his whole face lighting up. Il shall
60 to Sulja and effect her rescue in
some way or other. | shall make or
find a way" and he ros. hastily.
"Stay, my FRIEND" said Aksakoff.
Il think can help You. You have not
asked me how it was that I got to
know what have told you about Miss
Joyce; that is your tact again, but
you must be dying to hear"
1T was easy to guess that the
knowledge came to you through spe.
cial channel-an underground chan.
mel; through the revolutionists, in
fact. But Miss Joyce is no revolu.
tionist-hat was the merest subter
fuge on the part of Anatovitch; it was
to put me off the SCENT
Eyes; no doubt
THAT is where l am eternallv in.
debted to you,' said Norman, with
deep emotion. "You discovered to me
that 1t was pretense. 1 might in
time have found out the truth, but
can never thank you enough"
Aksakof held up his hand in pro
test.
Perhaps you are not the only ono
to have score to pay of with Dmitr
i.