The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-07-17

together with our father ana mother:
Surely you can give 1t to me. for her?
She asked me to get it, 4 ~:
You did not mention that before
said the banker, quickly. 81 IN
Didn't II" answered Maxwell, in.
nocently. II thought l did She ask.
| ed me to bring it to her this after.
noon." =
Il am sorry, I'm sure, to disappoint
you and her, Mr.. Sisterson, but really
don't see my way to give you the
packet without an order.''
Maxwell was afraid to press the
matter further, and with an apology
for occupying so much of the bankers
time, took his leave. Il must tackle
Mary herself" he said, as he drove
back to the city, disguised with the
check he had received. Yet he had
foreseen that it might happen, and
had shaped his schemes accordingly.
He did not particularly care to
tackle Mary; though she was a
gentle creature, she was capable on
occasions, like most gentle creatures,
of being very stubborn and obstinate.
And she was perfectly independent of
him or even Sir John, for the latter
h0l made her present on her twenty
first birthday of 10000 pounds secure
ly invested, which gave her an income
of 1000 pounds year, and doubtless
Sir Johns will would further provide
for her. Maxwell had no hold on her,
but he calculated that she would be
in good humor with him because of
his promise that restitution should be
made to the Forbes.
He went home earlier than usual
that afternoon. He looked in at the
sick ROOM where Cnristabel informed
him that Sir John was growing weak
err; he also saw DR.. Flint, who told
him that Sir Johns state was most
Erecarious. Then he went in search
of Mary, whom he found on a couch
in her sitting room; he smiled as he
came in, for had he not said that resti.
tuition should be made? ..
you are looking better, Mary" he
commenced, cheerily.
you made me feel much better
this morning." said Mary, "but still
seem to have no strength left"
You need change" said Maxwell;
"that will pull you round"
"a change? Yes-afterward," she
replied. She meant that she would
take change of scene after her faith
ers death, but she did not like to ex-
press it in words. Il had a letter to-
day from Katia Anatovitch, and she
has asked me to go to her. for long
stay at Sulja. and l think should
like to go. enjoyed my previous
visit SO much. Perhaps l am hardly
strong enough to go-certainly not
alone with a maid. But I thought
might ask Nurse Joyce to accompany
me: she could look after me, and we
are friends"
That would be capital arrange
ment" said Maxwell. How is
Katia?"
"She and Dmitri are both very well.
she says in her letter. l am glad you
like my project of going to Sulja, Max
we'll l feel as if I wished to be far
away from town."
Il understand" said Maxwell, in
quite sympathetic voice. And then
he added, "Flint babe me prepare for
the end.'
eat once?"
almost at once," he replied, and
Mary's tears flowed.
This, he thought, was his oppor
tunity.
II had a short talk with father this
morning, Mary" he said; lit was just
after l had seen you. He was quite
calm and collected; he was as sensi-
BILE as you or I. Among other things
he told me that he had given into your
charge packet of papers. must say
l was rather surprised, Mary"
He did give me such packet"
said Mary, guilelessly.
"He desired me to ask you to give
me the packet, Mary" said Maxwell,
cycling her searchingly, to see how
she would take his words.
"He did, MAXWELL"
Eyes"
"Indeed!" said Mary, bewildered.
She could not understand why Sir
John had done this, considering what
he had told her at the time. "Are you
sure of that?" she asked.