The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-06-12

i The Honor of
i Nurse Joyce
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ITO be silent is your construction of
your duty?" said Maxwell.
Yes; it is point of honor"
"a point of honor!" exclaimed Max
we'll, shaking his head. He thought
that such phrases were drivel. and on
Christabel's lips meant that the terms
he had offered were not considered by
her as high enough, but he did not say
so.
"a point of honor" he repeated. '1t
is a most proper feeling on your part
the right ground to take. l should
like, however. to strengthen and re-
inforce that feeling, If can-that is
a2ine that circumstances might arise,
something fresh might turn up, which
might cause you to change your views.
Therefore, to be frank, wish to bind
you to us by offering you an annuity.
Shall we say 800 pounds year? 1t is
really considerable sum, as it repre-
sents capital of 10000 pounds. 1t
would keep you comfortably for the
rest Of your days-you need never go
out again to nurse, a thing which l
fancy one so young and attractive as
you are cannot care much for. Three
hundred pounds year is not to be
desrised, Nurse Joyce, and is not to
be got every morning for the asking"
1T does not seem to occur to you
that you are grossly insulting me in
making this Offer" said Christabel,
rising from her chair. Il have assur
ed you that your family secrets are
safe with me, and I do not see what
good is done by talking more about
it,"
Maxwell gazei at her as she stood
before him, and admired her vastly.
convenient thing.
"Insulting you, nurse!" he exclaim-
ed. Its the kind Of insult most peo-
pie find no difficulty in pocketing. Is
it that l have not insulted you
enough?' he asked, with grin.
'Come-be as frank with me as am
with you. How much do you want?"
81 want nothing. Cannot you under
stand?' asked Christabel, the flush
deepening on her face. But your sis
ter spoke to me of something you
might do of something you ought to
do and that is to make restitution.
Your fathers great fortune is built
on foundation of robbery and
wrong"
Restitution! To whom. pray?"
'To the son of Thomas Forde."
1t was Maxwell's turn to flush
ITO Norman Forde; why not give
the name?" he asked with a sheer.
Now we have it! So this is your
game? Now you have dropped the
mask. This is what your fine senti-
ments come to! l saw you and FOrde
together last night at the Savoy. Do
you suppose he has the shadow of a
legal claim upon us? tell you he has
none"
81 know nothing Of that, but I do
know that he is in complete ignorance
of the wrong that has been done
him." said Christabel. ''It is possible
enough that he may never know; GER
tainly he shall never know from me-"
$50 you say; but why are you anx-
ious that restitution should be made
to him."
Because it is just and right"
Quite So" said Maxwell, dryly. 81
think we will eliminate Mr.. Forde
from our discussion, as do not &C.
knowledge that he has any claim on
us whatever. Let us get back to the
point. l am anxious that there shall
be no scandal regarding my father
that is the only thing l have to con-
slider. That there may be none through
you offer you an annuity-shall we
say 5000 pounds a year,"
| AS he paused for her reply there
was a quick, nervous tapping at the
door, and without waiting for an in
vitation to enter Lady Sisterson came
into the room. She looked sharply
from one to the other.
What are you saying to nurse?"
she asked her son. imperiously. II
have Just seen Mary, and she tells me
that Nurse Joyce has some strange
IDEAS"
This was not exactly what Mary
had said, but it served.
Nurse Joyce thinks that she knows
something" said Maxwell. Without
admitting that she does, have made
her an offer Of an annuity-a hand
some annuity-if she will keep what
she thinks she knows to herself. We
do not wish the breath of scandal to
touch Sir Johns reputation
"And you have accepted the offer,
nurse?"
NO" said Christabel, hotly; Il have
not accepted it. But have told Mr..
sisterson, and now tell you, Lady Sis
terson, that your secrets are safe with
me. shall never mention them to q
living soul.
THAT was what Mary said that you
had told her." observed Lady Sister
son.
'Yet nurse wishes us to make resti
tuition to Norman Forde," said Max
WELL
Norman Forde is your lover, is he
not?" asked Lady sisterson, staring
hard at Christabel. "You told me
Il