La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-10-08
CHATTER VII

CHAPTER VII.
One day Magnus had come home
from Crag Castle looking strangely
pale and detected. Day was wise
enough. like tactful maiden as she
was. not 10 ask him anything: but
when she had given him his tea, and
Magnus was leaning back in his chair.
he suddenly said
Your friend, Mr.. MonieIth. was at
the castle when was there. Day"
Day started, and warm blood rushed
into her checks. then receded. leay
ing them deadly pale.
with Miss STUART she asked. af-
ter long pause
with Miss Stuart. Magnus replied.
in tone-oi assumed cheerfulness. He
was silent for little; then. rising,
walked 10 his sisters side and laid ais
hand on her shoulders.
My dear little sister. there is just
one word | wish 10 say to you. and
then We shall aliude to this subject
no more. II is about this young fell
low, Evan Montelth. We must rcmem-
ber that we know absolutely nothing
about him. | do not wish to enter
tain any prejudice against him; but
this we can say In all fairness-he has
preserved perfect reticence with re-
gard TO himself towards us.
II, is better. / think. for us both to
treat him as this reticence almost
compels us to do-as mere chance
acquaintance. stranger. with whom
there can be no question of friendship.
simply because the necessary basis Of
friendship does not exist Now, little
one that Is all. Put him out OF your
mand. II you ever allowed him to have
any place there; and be my own sweet.
| Iight-hearted little sister once more.
Don't let us speak again OF the sub
ject. Now give me a kiss. Day. and
let me see you smile and look as bright
as you used TO do"
Day held up her mouth TO his. bu,
a rush OF mingled tenderness and pity
swept over Magnus as he felt the pitt
full trembling OF her lips. She made a
brave effort TO smile. and succeeded
not badly.
THAT is like my joyous Day." said
Magnus. smiling. His own gloom had
disappeared In his effort to render her
cheerful.
Now another cup Of tea. little one.
am going over TO kirkwall tomor-
row. pay-nr. rather. to Scapa Capt.
Ferguson's boy Is III. and he wishes me
to see him.
shall have TO take n conveyance.
What do you say to coming. too? 1t
woud be nice little trip. and you
could call for the manse folk at Kirk
wall on the way back"
Days heart was sick within her. but
she made another brave attempt to
look delighted, though the projected
trip held out no attractions for her
now. A fortnight ago she wouid have
leaped at it with childish delight.
1T would be nice, Magnus." she said.
wondering 1. Magnus guessed how
hard it was 10 make her voice sound
cheerful Yes, OF course, 1 shall go.
II isn't likely / would miss such n
chance.
SO they chatted gaily over the pro-
jected expedition. though the heart OF
each was heavy: but love made each
try to hide that from the other.
News flies fast over the length and
breath OF the Orkneys. and Day found
that Monteith's accident had been re-
tailed in Kirkwali with sundry addi-
tions 10 IL,
And we heard such queer story
yesterday. my dear" said Mrs. Nichol-
son, the parish minister's wife. who
was known lover of gossip. 1t was
that this young fellow-what is his
name again?-is up at Crag Castle at
all hours Robertson. the coachman
| from the Cow hotel--where he is stay
| ing. you know-told the minister yes
tcrday that Miss Stuart herself cyeled
| halfway 10 Stromness to meet him.
and they went on together to the castle.
| always said she was strange crea-
ture. my dear. lady Of the manor Is
| she is--a very strange creature.
1 Day got away at last. heart-sick and
! miserable Could it be true? Could
| Evan Monteith. after ali, have been
merely amusing himself with her
/ while all the time his heart was per.
haps pledged to Lilith Stuart? Oh. Il
| was not possible, There could not
be such heartless cruelty hidden be-
1 hind those earnest, dark eyes. which
( had looked with such deep sincerity
into hers. There must be some ex-
\ pianation, She would trust him still
But the slow poison OF doubt was in
her veins. and no reason could check
It's evil enects