Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-09-15
CHAPTER X.

hour had passed, and all that Blspeth
and Evan, assisted by the terrified
servants, could do foi 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 telegaphed that no was on his
way to Crag Castle; but he could not
DO there for an hour yet.
~ cannot leave you alone" objected
Montelth.
do not mind me; I shall be all
right" said Elspeth hastily. IL sup
poso"--she paused with sudden shud-
der-"nothing can be done for herr"
Montelth shook his head. There was
a strange expression on his face.
Nothing" no said. "You mus
promise me on no account TO go into
the room, Miss Troll, 1t can 90 no
good to the dead, and may harm YOU
You will promlse?"
YES" said Elspeth. Then suddenly
strange, inartlculate sound that was
almost cry broke from her, and she
covered her face. ut 10 too awful!
too horrlblel" she cried, going like
that into Gods presence-unprepared
-unconfessedl And few hours ago
she was sitting here, the incarnation
OF life and brightness. Oh, Cod can
not bear to think of II! God-God
have mercy upon herl"
Amen" said Montelth hoarsely. He
suddenly caught her hand, "Elspeth,
whatever may BIO In your mind, what
ever you suspect or fear, try to bury IT.
out Of sight and forget, as / 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 qulvered, "You are
generous"
II must go now" said Montelth. And
so they parted-Elspeth to return to
her lonely watch, Monteith to hurry
to Abbots 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 It's going to pieces very
probably at the unguarded portion of
the cliif-path.
She had mistaken Magnus Halcrow
for hlm-a natural mistake, for they
resembled each other at q distance
and had made that last desperate at
tempt to rid herself Of him, probably
counting on his sprlnging to the cliff
side of the path In ignorance Of the
broken barricade. How strangely,
awfully, like the Judgment OF just
God 1t seemed! Monteith was soon at
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."
II was" answered Montelth, slowly;
"but It is not that that has brought
me here now. am sorry to be the
bearer Of bad news, Miss Halcrow--"
She interrupted him little breath
lessly:
Something has happened--Mag-
nus?"
"You will be brave" said Monteith
gently; land, please God, It may not
be so bad as we fear" Then, briefly
and as gently as possible, he told her
ALL
She listened in silence, her face
growing paler and paler, until 1t was
drained of every drop Of blood. When
he paused she said, In a voice out Of
which all the music had gone:
II may go to him?"
81 have come for YOU" said Mon
teith. 1.-THE carriage is waiting be-
low"
II, shall go and get ready" said
Day, in low voice.
She turned to re-enter the house, but
as she did so, the whole earth seemed
to heave beneath her feet, and she
would have fallen had Montelth not
caught her In his arms. For mo-
ment he held her there, her white face
resting against his breast; then Day
struggled from his clasp.
Let me go, Mr.. Monteith."
DAY" exclaimed Evan hoarsely, ut
seems almost, PROCLAMATION to speak Of
such things now; but, my darling, my
only true love, / cannot let you go
without asking you to forgive me, and
to say you will still trust me. Give me
the satisfaction OF taking care Of you
in this terrible time, and Of knowing |
you trust my care. Day, you once said
you loved me-" She looked at him
strangely out Of those sorrow-nlled,
sea-blue eyes of hers.
"You say Miss Stuart Is dead, and
Ink -, In n