The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-08-07

ed, though there ne sedistiioh EmShx
the neighboring peasantry."
Il am not ), IN the least afraid Of
them" said Mary. I Poor wretohes,
they are lust like cattle !o5dr. sheen,
! you will need some time 10 make
your preparations. = suppose, said
Sir Maxwell, When do you thlnx, OF
'leaving?" =
Il am anxious to go as soon us pos.
sible, and we can have anything we
want sent on after us: We will rta1t
on the day after the funeral If we
can manage it,"
= "And when do you think Of being
back to town. Mary?"
Il can't say exactly, but think we
shall be gone for about three months
or little more. Katia would be
greatly disappointed ii did not: make
good long stay, don't you think?"
Eyes; but three months is rather a
lengthy visit. Still. you need the
change" said Sir Maxwell. wondering
why she had mentioned three months.
and making a careful note Of it on
his mental tablets. Now" he
tinued, after moments silence,
there is one thing I desire to say to
you both-to you, Nurse Joyce, as
we'll as Mary. have undertaken, ac-
ccrding to your wish; Mary. that resti-
tuition shall be made to the Forbes,
and shall not withdraw from 1t. But
it will not he an easy matter to ar
range. You see that fathers estate
will be in the hands of trustees, in all
pi'obab.lity-that is usual with such a
large and complex estate as his-and
it will take many weeks or months to
get all his affairs into proper order.
No settlement could be effected till
teen. You understand that?"
yes; suppose it will take some
tine. as you say. Maxwell" Mary
agreed. But so long as you admit
the principal-well, that is the chief
thing, and an quite satisfied"
Sir Maxwell smiled a deep inward
smile, thinking Mary would not be so
pleased if she could read his
thoughts. But he had not come to
what he really wished to say; he
had been mercy leading up to it.
10 you happen to know. nurse" he
asked, how many children Thomas
Forde had?"
$50 far as know" replied Christa-
bel. slowly. resenting the question,
"he had but one child"
Mr. Norman Forde, your brothers
partner?" in quired Sir Maxwell, with
his eyes scrutinizing her face.
Yes" said Christabel, shortly.
Il hope you have stuck to what you
said to us, nurse said he, about not
telling him anything"
MAXWELL" exclaimed Mary. "How
can your
Il wish for an answer" sair Sir
MAXWELL in his slow, hard voice. ut
is question that l think 1 am en-
titled to put"
Il have not told Mr.. Forde-any-
thing" said Christabel, in hurt and
angry tone.
Perhaps you have not seen him
lately?" suggested Sir Maxwell.
Surely that is no business of ours,
Maxwell" protested Mary, warmly.
"Why cannot you trust her as I do,
and leave the matter alone?"
''She need not tell me unless she
likes said Sir Maxwell, with sheer.
THANK you, Mary" said Christabel,
with smile to her friend, "but real
ly don't mind in the least saying that
I saw Mr.. Forde this morning. Why
should mind?"
and you told him-nothing?" per.
sisted Sir Maxwell.
Come, Christabel," said Mary, ris-
ing, and putting her hand on the
nurse ssleeve. "He is unbearable. /
wonder at you Maxwell" Sir Max.
we'll shrugged his shoulders as the
two women passed out.
"At any rate" he thought, "she did
not deny that she had seen him
that's in her favor, and l almost be-
lieve that she has said nothing to
Forde yet, but l wish she were out of
the way. She's sure to tell him every
thing some day-if she gets another
chance"
n