The Red Cloud chief., 1898-09-09

che Dap Star Of the
0rknep'S.
A Romance-..By Hannah B.. Mckenzie.

CHAPTER vi.

tuc OtutTS tdiheu. out Mdeuus, COul-
ing to her side. helped her at the tea
table. The voices OF the other two
grew lower. For a moment they hardly
rose above q whisper. When tea was
handed round the conversation became
more general. and turned on Evans
accident. Presently Miss stuart asked:
And how muco longer are you TO
remain at Abbot's Head"
Il have already trespassed too long
or the hospitality Of DR.. Halcrow."
said Evan. IL was thinking of leaving
tomorrow" He glanced at Magnus.
who sat strictly silent.
And you are going to Stromness
them" asked Lilith.
When Lilith rose presently. both
young men stood up. she glanced up
at Magnus.
would It be too much to ask you to
bring my machine round. DR.. Halcrow?
And you are going a little bit Of my
way, are you not?"
81 am going to Borenow." Magnus
replied briefly. He turned and left the
room.
ihi'th uuuO buy booh y VIA NV
usual languid grace: then she turned
to Evan.
You will see me to my machine?'
she said. in a low voice. THAT Is all
! will ask Of you"
Evan bowed and followed her. On
the doorstep they stood for a few mo-
ments. converslng in n low tone. They
were there when Magnus brought
round Lilith's machine. The face OF
the Doctor looked darker than Evan
mad yet seen II as he glanced at them.
II am at your service. Miss Stuart"
he said. coldly, removing his cap.
THANK you" said Lilith. She did
not offer her hand to Evan, but. saying
In n low voice, Remember she went
forward to take her machine from Mag
nus hand. then, putting her foot OH the
pedal. she was Off.
Magnus was leaning on his handles.
his brow drawn in a dark frown. He
did net follow Lilith Immediately,
though she glanced round to see il he
was following, but paused for a mo-
ment by the step on which Evan al
standing.
Then he spoke, without lifting his
eyes from his handle bars:
You have been under my root for a
week. Mr.. Monteith. Were there tho
same occasion again, l should ask you
to remain under it as ! did before.
Were you my greatest enemy I should
do the same.
But / thought you would act hon
estly and honorably by us, with whom
you have been on such terms OF friend
ship. Instead, / find you have deceiy-
ed us. Over and over again you have
allowed us to believe you knew nj one
in all the island. Was that fair? Was
1t honorable? / put the question to
you yourself, but l ask you no an
swer."
Without another word. and not al
lowing Evan time even to open his
lips. he sprang on his machine and
was gone. Evan Monteith returned
slowly to the drawing-room. His face
was pale and troubled; there was an
odd contraction about his lips.
Day had risen from her seat by the
little tea table and was at the piano
where she was playing a plaintive air
with one hand. Evan knew the air
1t was the sad but beautiful one OF
1.-THE Flowers OF the Forest"
She did not hear him come in. and
he went up to her and laid his hand
tightly on her shoulder. She started
and looked up. a ha%lf-frightened looI
ieaping into her eyes.
'It Is only l." said Evan gently
"Well. Miss Day, l have got my march
ing orders, and feel as II l were thf
meanest hound or earth! / have par.
taken of your hospitality. and to you
botn / owe my life; and I have re.
paid you by a reticence which amount,
to deceit. The worst of 1t is. I cannoI
say anything to %extenuate or explain
my conduct. My mouth is shut.
can only trust to your clemency anC
sweet charity"
Day was silent, but he could see he
lips quivering; and her downcast eye,
grew heavy, as II with unshed tears
He spoke again, presently. In a lowe,
zone.
IT must leave you tomorrow. Befor'
go will you not speak n word 0
kindness to me. and say that, In spit
Of appearances, you trust me. and vii
trust me always?"
Day could not reply.
Speak, Day!" he pleaded-"only on
word. Tell me that you still think q
me as a friend-that you will not turI
against me-"
Then at last Day found her voice
albeit a somewhat low and tremblin
one.
"Nr. Monteith. why should | turl
against you? You have a right to kee
your own secrets II you will. We d
not wish to pry into them. II m
friendship can be OF aly use to you
II It is OF any value, ! am ready to b
your friend nov and always"
"Of any value?" he cried. "Da,
how little you KNOW
He vent down on his knees besid
her. and took her hand In his.
i. -. .tl --..,