La Junta tribune., 1898-10-22

now hn!ding her IN deadly grip that
she could not shake one Elspeth did
rot know: but before the horror OF II
she shuddered and covered her face.
feeling suddenly icy cold, though the
day was warm
Il am mad" she whispered present
ly. letting her hands fall God forbid
that anything SO horrible should be
real' And yet why not 20 out myself
and-and avert danger. II there should
he any?"
Lady Westray was taking her after
luncheon nap. Eispe;h ran downstairs.
put on hat In the hall and. starting
through the grounds. Was soon on the
seashore path.
1t was a September afternoon. and
glorious day-no too sultry. but with
the first cool breath OF Autumn in the
air. As Elspeth raced along. listening
to the soft swish-swish of the waves
as they broke on the cliffs below. the
inyigoTaiing air seemed to banish the
horrible fear that had seized her mind
in SO sudden and wild a fashion.
What a wicked. suspicious mind
must have" she thought. Even as the
thought passed through her mind she
noticed the tail figure OF man walk
Ing rapidly toward her.
For. moment Eispeth thought It
was Evan Montieth. and her heart beat
fast; but in few seconds she saw her
mistake. and recognized him as Mag
nus Halcrow. On sudden impulse
she moved from the pathway. and re-
enraf IN. q Aa Hive of
and birches which ran along higher up
from the cliff
AS she did SO the whirring sound OF a
bicycle coming rapidly along the road
startled her. She looked round. 1t
was Lilith. who came flying along the
dangerous road Ike creature of the
woods and sea. her masses OF reddish
auburn hair floating about her. her lips
parted. her eyes Wild with excitement.
She Mas rushing al breakneck speed.
Elspeth could have shrieked aloud 10
see her.
She was close to that dangerous part
the part OF the clia a-road which was
so close TO the rocks that II had been
guarded by n paiisade Of wood for the
safety OF pedestrians or riders.
Only the day before the keeper had
come to inform Miss Stuart that por-
i!on Of the fencing had been broken
down, evidently by some malicious per-
son. and that the path was therefore
dangerous. Yet, In defiance of this.
Lilith had elected to ride along this
road today. Why had abe done so?
As Elspeth gazed with fascinated
ha ruu fpo hraa at hs
flying wheel and its rider. Magnus sud
denly emerged into the path round n
turning.
Did l.ilith Stuart see him. Did she
recognize him? Did she take him for
some one else? None knew-nonc
should ever know In this world.
She rode on wildly, her pedals hard
ly seeming to revoiye. SO rapid was the
motion. A log lay across the road.
The rider could not have noticed II. for
the next moment her machine rocked
wildly.
A shrek rose to Elspeth's lips. She
checked It. with a strange feeling that
she herself was about to die.
Then-oh, God, how could Elspeth
look on 1t and still liye?--the pedes-
trian had sprung forward and evil
IDENTIFY made a wild attempt to seize
the machine.
For one moment--It was all done In
the twinkliug Of an eye--Elspeth saw
Lilith Stuart's face as she wildly threw
her head backwards. Its expression OF
horror. amazement and white despair
would haunt Elspeth as long as she
lived.
A scream rent the air-such scream
as one hears in nightmare. and can
not forget for days-a scream from
LilIth's lips; and then-Elspeth was
gazing wildly at empty space. Man.
woman, bicycle-all had disappeared.
Elspeth thought she uttered cry;
In reality no sound came from her dry
lips and throat. She could never after
wards recall what she did. The first
thing she was conscious of was that
she was locking into Evan Monteith's
face and trying. with lips tha, refused
to move or do her bidding. to tell him
all But she knew that he understood
her when she saw his own face grow
pale AZ death.
Wait here he said hoarscly, seix-
ing her hand in momentary grasp.
Il shall run for Nicholson. and We shall
go down to the snore together. Don't
move till come back"
When he returned she was still
there: but her expression frightened
even the keeper. and she was shiver.-g
from head to foot like one In an ague.
Run on to the castle. Miss Troll.
Send mon With stre.cherS said Mon
teith, speaking very quietly. Have
things ready for them. and pray God
they may be required"
Elspeth Troll only asked one ques-
ton.
You will bring both to the CASTER"
I'VE will. Miss" answered tho
keeper. whose face reflected the pallor
of Monteith,h