The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-06-05

L
Mary, who had more sense than to
confess to him that she had first con-
fided in Ch,istabel; "but she knows
about the sto'en secret and-the MUIR
der" she went on, stumbling at the
last words.
From Forde?' he asked. "She has
been comparing notes with him, just
as surposel?"
81 do no. know how it came about.
Perhaps it may be that Forde had
said something that gave her the clue.
l carnot tell you that, for there l am
in total ignorance. Maxwell. But what
| wish particularly to tell you is that
she states Forde does not know the
truth and that she will not disclose it
to him."
Stuff" exclaimed Maxwell. II
wonder how she got to know-if she
does really know?"
why do You say Stuff" asked
Mary deeply hurt
IF she has not told Forde every
thing it must be because she has had
no opro: tun.ty yet-that's why say
Stuff"
That's not the way Of it at all"
protested Mary, speaking more firmly
than she had yet done. Il said to you
that was sure she was noble wo-
man; Go you think that women do not
understand each other? She has a
true and loyal nature and she regards
her position from the highest stand
point. She said to me that she could
not hut respect what she had learned
about father as priest would respect
what lie had heard in the confession.
all
Maxwell nodded, thinking for one
moment that it was possible Christa-
bel mis- hit hold such view of her
dty, but a second moments reflection
made him change his mind, when he
recol'ected that she was in love with
Forde. 1t was a conflict of self-inter-
ests. and her interest in Forde would
prevail over her interest in not betray-
ing her position as nurse.
1T sounds very pretty, very fine"
said Maxwell, sneeringly. You read
of that kind Of thing in novels, but you
don't find it in real life. l must have
a talk with her myself and see if l
can't find out what her game is,
though it seems to me sufficiently OBJ
vious-and that is, to tell Forde all
she knows"
us there no such thing as profess
sional honor amongst you men," in
CURED Mary. SIS there nothing of the
kind amongst doctors, and lawyers,
and clergymen.
"Oh. l dare say there is-when
there's not much at stake. And then
they are men, and men who would be
ruined by the betrayal of any secret
entrusted to them if it was not worth
their while. But this woman is
nurse, and her pay is small. How
much does she get? Two or three
guineas week. What's that compar-
ed with her interest in Forde, if she
cares for him and can make him
rich?"
But there's way, MAXWELL way
of making things right so far as we
can" suggested Mary.
Indeed! What do you mean?"
There is the way of restitution,
Maxwell; you might call it the way of
compromise"
Restitution! COMPROMISED" shout
ed Maxwell.
Eyes" said Mary. boldly, "restitu-
ton; it would be only just in any case,
would it not?"
This is sheer nonsense, Mary"
81 do not see that Maxwell; 1t
would be doing what was right. And
oh, Maxwell, don't you think there is
fate in these things? Isn't it strange
that she should have come here? Isn't
it like kind warning to us?"
'The hand of Providence" said
Maxwell, with a fiercely humorous ex-
preston on his face; Il suppose you
think there is such a thing?"
"Of course there is, Maxwell" Mary
replied, simply.
Il have never seen 1t, and + don't
see it now" cried Maxwell, rudely.
Il see it," said Mary. "and l am de-
termined that restitution shall be
made after father has gone"
after father has gone!" comment
ed Maxwell. Don't you see how in
sincere you are, Mary? If it IL light
to make restitution, why should it not
be made at once? The thing has been
put off very long time-far too long.
Why wait till father is dead?"
How can you speak in that way,
Maxwell? Sometimes think that you
are really possessed" said Mary,
turning to leave him
Mary" he said, you'd better be
off to bed, you spitfire! shall see
Nurse Joyce in the morning."
When Mary had gone Maxwell care
fully thought the position.
So Nurse Joyce knew-everything.
Was it possible, he wondered, that
she had known something before she
had come to Hans Square? Had she
come as a spy? Was she In collision
with Forde? But he was too clear
headed to entertain these ideas. Pure
accident had brought her into their
livesa remarkable concentration Of
| circumstances. E! 't'ss 5
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