The Red Cloud chief., 1898-09-30
CHAPTER Y.

hour had passed, and all that Elspeth
and Evan, assisted by the terrified
servants, could do for Magnus Hal
crow had been done. He still lay un-
conscious, n CHASTITY cut, hastily band
aged In amateur fashion by Evan,
across his head; but with what other
Injuries, internal or external, they did
not know.
The doctor who had been wired for
had telegraphed that he wac on his
way to Crag Castle: but he could not
be there for an hour yet.
Il cannot leave you alone" objected
Monteith.
DO not mind me; / shall be all
right" said Elspeth hastily. Il up-
pose"-she paused with a sudden shud-
der--"nothing can be done for herr"
Monteith shook his head. There was
a strange expression on his face.
Nothing" he said. You must
promise MT on no account to go into
the room, Miss Troll. 1t can do no
good to the dead, and may harm you.
You will promlse?"
Eyes," said Elspeth. Then suddenly
a strange, inarticulate sound that was
almost a cry broke from her, and she
covered her face. at Is too awful!
too horrible!" she cried. "goins like
that into Gods presence-unprepared
~-unconfessed! And a few hours ago
she was sitting here, the incarnation
OF life and brightness. Oh, God, can
not bear to think of 1t! God-God
have mercy upon her!"
Amen" said Monteith hoarsely. He
suddenly caught her hand. "EIspeth,
whatever may DC in your mind, what
ever you suspect or fear, try to bury it
out OF sight and forget, as l shall. We
shall keep our own dark doubts n Sc
cret forever from the whole world,
shall We nOt?"
FOR ever" Elspeth whispered, and
her lip suddenly quivercd. You are
generous"
II must go now said Monteith. And
so they parted-Elspeth to return to
her lonely watch, MoDteith to hurry
to Abbot's Head.
The horror was still dark and heavy
upon him that he had felt as he drew
from under her battered machine very
gently the terribly mutilated figure OF
the woman who had tried to compass
his own death. There was no doubt
In his mind as to that. 1t was she
who had tempered with his machine,
counting on its going to pieces very
probably at the unguarded portion OF
the c~liff-path.
She had mistaken Magnus Halcrow
for him-a natural mistake, for they
resembled each other at a distance
and had made that last desperate at
tempt to rid herself Of him, probably
counting on his springing to the cliff
side OF the path, In ignorance OF the
broken barricade. How strangely,
awfully, like the judgment Of a just
God It seemed! Monteith was soon al
Abbot's Head. AS he strobe up the
garden-path Day emerged from the
doorway and met him.
Her face suddenly flashed white as
she recognized him; then she bowed
and, after a moments hesitation, Of
fered her hand.
"You have come to say good-by?
heard that you were leaving tomor'
row."
81 was" answered Monteith. slowly
"but II Is not that that has brought
me here now. l am sorry to be the
bearer of bad news, Miss Halcrow--
She interrupted him a little breath
lessly: ,
Something has happened-Mag
nus?"
you will be brave" said Monteiu
gently; land, please God, 1t may no
be so bad as we fear" Then, brief,
and as gently as possible, he told he
oil.
She listened in silence, her fac,
growing paler and paler, until 1t wa
draipsd of every drop Of blood. WheI
ne paused she said, In a voice out o
which all the music had gone:
81 may go to him?"
"I have come for YOU" said Mon
teith. "The carriage is waiting be
low"
81 shall 60 and get ready" SAT-
Day, in a low voice.
She turned to re-enter the house, bu
a she did so, the whole earth seeme'
10 heave beneath her feet. and sh
would have fallen had Monteith no
caught her in his arms. For a mo
ment he held her there, her white fac
resting against his breast; then Da,
struggled from his clasp.
"Let me go, Mr.. Monteith."
"Day," exclaimed Evan hoarsely, 81
seems almost PROCLAMATION to speak @
such things now; but, my darling. m,
only true love, I cannot let you 6
without asking you to forgive me, an
D to say you. wiz still trust me. Give m
Y the satisfaction of taking care of 20
in this terrible time. and of KNOWN
O trust my care. Day, you once sal
O loved me-" She looked at hir
strangely out Of those sorrow-fllet
sea-blue eyes OF hers.
"You say Miss Stuart Is dead, an
O can say that to me now?" she sale
almost In a whisper.
'She Is dead" he answered gravel,
anav I musf MT sneak unkindly OF th