The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-07-17
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CHAPTER xVIlI.-(continued.) Z.
Surprising agreed to the idea of
restitution" he explained, there is
an important point to be raised at
once. Say that Tom Forde, my faith
er's partner. did discover the means
of making the cement; admit that for
the sake of argument, but it does not
ut all follow that he would have made
has done by his business ability. Do
you see the pcint?"
YES"
1T is difficulty, but it is not an
fnsuperable one. merely instance
it to show you that the thing is not
SO simple an affair as you seem to
imagine. But wish you to know that
it is owing to what you said that am
considering the idea at all. l wish to
please you, Christabel. Is there no
chance for me? I asked you to marry
me the other day and you refused
me. Now l tell you frankly-1 prom
lse you-that restitution shall be
made if you will be my wife"
''Mr. Sisterson," said Christabel,
quivering with indignation. Il do not
understand how you dare to say that
you care for me and at the same time
offer a disi1onorable suggestion. 1t is
unmanly OF You to insult me as you
do. Why don't you do what is right
because it is right? Have you no
conscience"
Conscience? Rot!" said Maxwell,
rudely.
Il shall certainly not make any
bargain with you. and do not wish
to be spoken to again on this subject
by you
And with her head held high she
marched out OF the room.
"She was splendid. really splendid"
Maxwell said to himself. leaning back
in his chair and smiling. Il do be-
lieve | could marry her."
From which may be inferred what
manner OF man was this whom Chris
label had to deal. When he had first
asked her to marry him he was sin
cere at the moment, but the moment
had passed. He had other schemes
in his head and so far as restitution
was concerned he had not the remot-
est intention OF making any
He was sorry, however, that she
had given him no opportunity of ask
ing her if she still was determined to
maintain silence regarding what she
had learned respecting his father yet
there was something in her manner of
speaking and Of carrying herself that
treasured him.
As Christabel was crossing from
Maxwell's room to Sir Johns she met
the new secretary carrying letters in
his hand. and sudden impulse moved
her to ask him if there was anything
for her, whereupon he hesitated and
stammered out, "I'll look and see."
After going over the letters he hand
ed to her the letter Norman had writ
ten in the forenoon, after his talk with
her brother. Unsuspicious herself, it
did not occur to her that the mans
behavior was suspicious; she did not
dream that she might never have got
the letter at all if she had not hap
pened to meet him.
Dr. Flint was in Sir Johns room,
and she put Normans letter into the
pocket of her apron as he said to her,
"Sir Johns very low. Don't think he
can last more than day or two at
the most. l sha'n't leave the house
now till the end. 1t may come very
s0on.''
In the meantime Christabel opened
and read her lovers letter. 1t filled
her with mingled feelings, so that
happiness and misery struggled with
in her breast. In the same breath she
said to herself, He will not give me
up" and He cannot help me-" But
on the whole she felt better and
stronger for Norman's words. seeing
how his love for her ran warm
through them all.
When she went upstairs she was
accosted by Mary's maid, who said
her mistress had had sharp attack,
and lay now like one who was dying
Christabel instantly set about reviv-
ing her.
"Christabel,' said Mary, on recov-
ering, Il felt as if should not come
back to lie again. 1t would be awful
II were to die before have done
what father wishes me to do. must
write you an order on Coutts' for the
packet left therein case anything
should happen to me you can get it.
Promise me that you will. dear" =
Christabel promised, and soon went
to her own room. When her door
was closed, figure glided out of the
darkness of an arch, from which was
hung curtain. 1t was the new Sec
rotary, who had been eavesdropping.
CHAPTER XIX.
Schemes That Failed.
The spy had not heard every word
that had passed between Mary Sister