The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-10-02
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES O@C@aC@c2Ec3a
s. TheHOnOr of S
s. Nurse Joyce|S
CHAPTER xxvl,I.-(continued.)

CHAPTER XxVlll.-(Continued
Norman, however, not to be de-
TERED, travelled by the ordinary train
to Tiraspol along the main line, and
from Tiraspol by the branch line,
without hindrance or adventure OF any
sort, and in due course found himself
at Sulja, Gil the platform OF the sta
ton. i'll the midst OF the Sisterson
works. He was at once struck by the
quiet and the deserted look of the
place: it was apparent that the strike
tad begun
He knew that his mission was, TO
say the least, one of considerable deli
tacy, as he was quite in the dark re-
garding Chrstabels silence. and had
count for it, But he had planned to
call. both OH behalf of her brother
end as a friend of her own, on Dmitri
Anatovitch. with view to obtaining
whatever information with respect to
her that gentleman might be able to
give. This seemed to him the natural
indeed. the only-course to take i'll
the circumstances. Though he was
certain there was something wrong
lie did not connect it in any way with
Anatovitch.
Finding no one at the station to pay
out tie building which he thought like
~ to be the Office of the company, en-
tered it. and presented his card TO one
of the clerks. asking in English if he
could see Nj. Anatoyitch. His speech
evidently puzzled this clerk, and he
gave way to another. who inquired in
fair English how he could serve him.
Norman repeated his wish to see Ana
tovitch In another moment he was
in Dmitri's room.
Dmitri received him affably, dis
sembling his real feelings. Norman's
card would in any case, have apprised
him who his visitor was, but the visit
was not unexpected: for on the pre-
ceding day telegram had come to
Sulja for Norman from Philip Joyce,
telling him there was still no news Of
Christabel, and this telegram Dmitri
his mind to his line of action-a line
that would put Norman hopelessly off
the track and at the same time fill him
with the utmost grief and consterna-
ton. BY this time Dmitri was all saw
age at heart: Christabel had given
no signs of submission and the strike.
which he had been unable to prevent,
was a serious matter; but he was
civility itself to Norman Forde.
He had read several of Norman's
letters to Christabel, and that this
man should love her and that she
should love him was all offense more
heinous in his eyes than any crime.
He would have liked nothing better
than to have killed Norman Oh the
spot, but of this Norman could not
have the faintest suspicion. Dmltrl
invited him to be seated, and said 1t
was always a pleasure to see English
men in Sulja, though at the moment,
owing to the fact that the wolkmen
were on strike, he was afraid that a
tour of the works would lack interest.
But. if he cared, Dmitri said he would
he pleased to take him round-all OF
which was spoken in the most frank
manner in the world. How could Nor
man guess that ii had been carefully
yehearsed?
You are very good" said Norman
cordially, but l did not come here
NJ. Ana,ovitch. to see the works,
though | am sure they would be most
interesting. My business is Of quite
a different kind, and l should begin
by apologizing for troubling you
with it,
"Pray make no apology said
Dmitri, politely. Il am entirely al
your service"
II know Sir Maxwell Sisterson,
said Norman: perhaps that will sis
Tee as kind OF Introduction
Cmitri Lowed and murmured thai
no Introduction was necessary--EnS
lishmen were welcome at Sulja.
Have l your permission to speak
on a somewhat personal matter, NJ
An:tovitch?" asked Norman.
Certainly, Mr.. Forde.'
Il lie leVe Sir Maxwell SISTER H.
stopping with you and your sister,
TIE sentence was put as question.
Eyes; she has been with us foi
cone time regret that she is una
lie to see any one at present, as sne
is very ILL., She was in poor healt!
when size came to us, and | fear hen
visit has not done as much good as
we had hoped. She is confined to hcl
,oom.''
Il am sorry to hear it. | knew that
Miss Sisterson was not we'll when she
left London. And that brings me tc
what l wish to say. Miss Sisterson
had with her as her nurse youn.
lady who. is sister of my partner
Philip Joyce
Miss Joyce. yes!" cried Dmitri, and
his face suddenly took on a strange
expression, which Norman instantly
observed.
"Her brother has not heard from
her for many weeks, though he has
written to her frequently; he has sem