La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-10-01

shade-which made her liker than
than over that Willy enchantress Viv-
len.
"Miss Stuart has cycled over to pay
you an afternoon call" said Magnus.
He looked bright and clated.
Day was not one OF those who arc
easily fluttered or put about by an un-
expected visit. She was n lady to her
finger tips; and she was, moreover, too
true child OF nature to wish to ap-
pear different from her usual self. She
rose and went forward at once.
How are you. Miss Stuarte You
must have had delightful spin; 1t is
such a fine day
Evan Monteith had also risen, and
was standing behind Days chair. Miss
Stuart shook hands with Day, with a
murmured, languid answer. She never
took much trouble to make herself
agreeable to her own sex. But. as sh"
dropped Days hand, Day saw an *
preston of such terrible surprise. fear,
and horror spring into her languid
blue-black eyes as struck Day herself
dumb with astonishment. lnvolnntar-
lily she looked round to see what hai
been the cause of that sudden change
which froze the smile on those beau
tiful lips, and made the whole face
cold and hard. with only n great terror
looking out Of 1t.
Then Day saw that the direction OF
Lilith's eyes turned towards the face
of Evan Monteith, as he stood behind
her. and that he was regarding Lilith
with something like the counterpart or
her look--one, however. in which
strange embarrassment mingled with
one of astonished recognition. Mag
nus. who could not see Lilith's face.
stepped forward.
May / introduce Mr.. Monteith to
you Miss Stuart-the gentleman whom
told you had met with so unfortunate
an accident? Mr. Evan Monteith-
Miss Stuart"
Lilith Stuart had undoubtedly great
command over herself. Whatever her
feelings were. she suppressed them
cleverly. She stepped forward. holding
out her hand. and looked straight into
Monteith's face with those dangerously
beautiful eyes OF hers--a look which
made Day feel as II a dagger had passed
through her very heart
Mr. Monteith, Is 1t possible.
hardly expected to see you here"
mo. Miss Stuart, l did not fiatter
myself that you would" Monteith an
swered. His words were ambiguous;
SO was his tongue. Magnus looked from
one to the olner in astonishment: then
he saw that strange pallor on Lilith's
face, and the strained look abou. her
eyes, which even her wonderful self
control was not quite able to hide.
"You know Mr. Monteith, then, Miss
STUART" he said. His voice sounded
rough and hard even in his own ears.
A great anger possessed him. He felt
that Evan Monteith had grossly de-
ceived him.
''Yes-we knew each other-years
ago." said Lilith, with an odd little
halt between each clause. as II she.
were doubtful of what to say. Then
suddenly she flashed her radiant smile
on Magnus. "It is n surprise to you,
OF course-you did not know that Mr..
Monteith knew me; but 1t is SO long
since we met that we might almost say
we are strangers-might We not, Mr..
Monteith? You have been SO long
abroad, was 1t not? And when did you
return to this country?"
Sne had accepted the chair Magnus
gave her by this time. and she and
Day were both seated, while the men
stood.
Monteith turned to answer her ques-
tion, and that brought the two OF them
into a dialogue. which seemed to ex-
clude the others. Magnus turned to
Day.
Can we have tes2" he said. In a
low voice. Day loved up swiftly in
his face, and her heart sank with pain
"a pain that was more for him than
for herself. after the manner of her
kind; and yet there was bitter pain
for hereelf also.
IT. ho (,opftOupd