Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1908-05-21
CHAPTER XII.
The Man Who Knew.

ChriStabel and her party as, with
bow here and a smile there to some
among the fashionable people present,
he made his way to the table which
had been reserved for him early in the
day, but he had heard distinctly what
Philip Joyce had said to Norman
Forde, and had thereupon shot a quick
glance at the latter, whom he had not
known before.
What he saw and heard caused him
the most profound uneasiness and dis
compOsure but, struggling hard to
hide his feelings, he succeeded in COW
ering his confusion by speaking to the
two men who were with him-both
grave and dignified of aspect, as be-
came men of substance whom even
the great Sistersons thought it eXpedi-
ent to entertain, Notwithstanding the
fact that the head of the house lay dy
ing. For minute or two he went on
speaking to his companions about the
menu and the wine they would prefer;
only when these important matters
were settled to their satisfaction did
he turn toward Christabel and greet
her with a pleasant nod. By this time
he had once more become master of
himself.
Maxwell sat so that he faced her
and Norman FOrde and had Philip
Joyce's face in profle-he saw enough
of it to leap to the correct conclusion
that he was Christabel's brother, for
the likeness between them was mark
ed the fourth member Of the group
did not interest him much, although
he noticed that she was a pretty wo-
man, and it was his custom to notice
such a thing as that somewhat par
tiCularly
Joyce C Forde," he said to him
self, giving a little dinner at the
Savoy-the firm must be prospering-
to Joyce's sister and another girl. So
that is Forde-a good-looking fellow,
too" and he stared at Norman, pond
ering the while if there was not some
thing significant and even ominous in
Forbes being there with Christabel,
for it was evident enough that the two
were on friendly terms. But there
may be nothing in it at ALL he
thought. "and | am alarming myself
needlessly."
He had cause, however, speedily to
make I'D his mind that there was
danger to him in any friendship be-
tween Norman Forde and Christabel
Joyce, for he could not but gather
from what now happened that there
was more than friendship in all prob
ability between them.
Maxwell had all his senses on the
alert, and as he stared at Norman,
weighing possibilities, he saw that his
face was bent on that of Christabel,
and bore an expression of deep ankle
ty. Turning away from Norman to
look at CRristabel, he was instantly
struck by her paid and worn appear
auce. which, immersed in his own i'm
mediate concerns, he had not at first
observed. Her eyes, he saw, avoided
those of Norman, and were fixed on
her plate. She was like one who had
lust heard unexpected and bad news
like one who had been wounded to
the heart by some sudden and serious
blow. And then he noticed that the
other two members of the little group
were also regarding her anxiously.
you look i'll, Chrissy," he heard
Philip Joyce say to her. What is
the matter? 1t is warm in the room,
but | should hardly have thought it
was hot enough to make any one feel
unwell," said Philip. with brothers
bluntness. TT is not like you to be
knocked out so easily"
81 am afraid l am not very well, y
said Christabel rising and steadying
herself by placing her hands on the
back of her chair. She had fought
desperately to regain her self-posses-
sion. but found it impossible. Some
how 1 feel rather upset. she went on,
In an apologize tone. Il don't wish
to break up our party, but think I'd
better co.
ooh, l am so sorry" said Norman,
who had also risen. rs there nothing
that THAT we can do for you?"
Norman spoke in low tone, but
his voice reached Maxwell's ears
clearly; it was the unmistakable voice
of a lover rather than of friend
Maxwell was sufficiently in love with
Christabel himself to have no doubt
on that point, and fire of jealousy
added it's torment to his hopes and
thronging fears.
'Is it so bad as that?" asked Ada
Addington of Christabel do you
think you must really go?"
"Oh, Chrissy!" protested her broth
er, who, never having seen his sister
indisposed in this manner before
could hardly believe that she had
meant what she said.
'T'm very sorry, Philip" SAID
Christabel, that 1 can't stay here
But | won't break up the party; II
go off by myself"
eve couldn't think of allowing yot
to do that" said Norman.
mo" said Ada Arlington; II mus
90 with you, Chrissy. Well get into {
four-wheeler and I'll take you home
Philip looked at his sister and a
Ada ruefully, but he made no furthe
objection, for he saw that Christabe
did seem very ILL., AS for Norman, HI
wore such an air OF detection that