The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-05-22
CHAPTER XXI.
The Man Who Knew,


Maxwell Sisterson had not only seen
Christabel and her party as, with a
tow here and smile there to some
among the fashionable people present.
he made his way to the table which
had Eeen reserved for him early in the
day, but he had heard distinctly what
Philip Joyce had said to Norman
Forde, and had thereupon shot quick
glance at the latter, whom he had not
known before.
What he saw and heard caused him
the most profound uncasiness and dis
eomposure; but, struggling hard to
hide his feelings. he succeeded in COW
er.ng his confusion by speaking to the
two men who were with him-both
grave and d:gnitied of aspect. as be-
the great Sistersons thought it expedi-
ent to entertain, Notwithstanding the
fact that the head of the house lay dy-
ing. For a minute or two he went on
speaking to his companions about the
menu and the Wine they would prefer:
only when these important matters
were settled to their satisfaction did
he turn toward Christabel and greet
her with pleasant nod. By this time
he had once more become master of
himself.
Maxwell sat so that he faced her
and Norman Forde and had Philip
Joyce's face in profiie-he saw enough
OF it to leap to the correct conclusion
that he was Christabels brother for
the likeness between them was mark
ed the fourth member of the group
did not interest him much, although
he noticed that she was pretty .o-
man, and it was his custom to notice
such thing as that somewhat par
ticularly.
Joyce & Forde.' he said to him
self, giving a little dinner at the
Savoy-the firm must be prospering-,
to Joyce's sister and another girl. So
that is Forde-a good-looking fellow.
too and he stared at Norman. pond
thing significant and even ominous in
Forbes being there with Christabel.
for it was evident enough that the two
were on friendly terms. But there
may be nothing in it at ALL he
thought, "and l am alarming myself
aeedlessly."
He had cause. however, speedily to
make up his mind that there was
danger to him in any friendship be-
tween Norman Forde and Christabel
Joyce, for he could not but gather
from what now happened that there
was more than friendship in all prob
ability between them.
Maxwell had all his senses on the
alert, and as he stared at Norman,
weighing possibilities. he saw that his
face was bent on that of Christabel,
and bore an expression of deep ankle
ty. Turning away from Norman to
look at Christabel, he was instantly
ance, which. immersed in his own i'm
mediate concerns, he, had not at first
observed Her eyes. he saw, avoided
those of Norman, and were fixed on
her plate. She was like one who had
Just heard unexpected and bad news
like one who had been wounded to
the heart by some sudden and serious
blow. And then he noticed that the
ether two members of the little group
were also regarding her anxiou-ly
You look ill, Chrissy." he heard
Philip Joyce say to her. What is
the matter? 1t is warm in the room,
but l should hardly have thought it
was hot enough to make any one feel
unwell,' said Philip, with brothers
bluntness. "It Is not like you to be
knocked out so easily"
II am afraid am not very WE'LL"
said Christabel. rising and steadying
herself by placing her hands on the
back of her chair. She had fought
desperately to regain her self-posses-
sion, but found it impossible. Some
how Ifeel rather upset." she went on,
in an apologize tone. Il don't wish
to break up our party, but think I'd
better co.
"Oh. am so sorry" said Norman
who had also risen. rs there nothing
that THAT we can do for you?"
Norman spoke in low tone, but
his voice reached Maxwelrs ears
clearly; 1t was the unmistakable voice
of lover rather than Of friend
Maxwell was sufficiently in love with
ChristaEel himself to have no doubt
on that point, and a fire of jealousy
added it's torment to his hopes and
thronging fears.
lis 1t so bad as that" asked ADJ
Arlington Of Christabel. do 20,
& think you must really go?"
"Oh. Chrissy!" protested her broth
Ell, who, never having seen his siste
indisDesed in this manner before