Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-08-11


has twofold nature, one part spirit-'
ual, the other sensuous and materiaiS
but whether Magnus would have Yield
ed to II or not was never known, TOR
at that moment the door opened geD.ly
and another girl came In,
MagnuB rose to his feet, slight flush
on his face, II was impossible to say
whether the newcomer noticed II or
not. She extended her hand calmly.
Lady Westray Ia able to see you
now, DR.. Halcrow" she said.
Magnus knew Elspeth Troll well.
They had played together as children,
and Elspeth was not far from his own
age, which was twenty-six. She had
been the only child OF the Manse at
Finstray In those days. Now both par
ents were dead, and for Ave years Els
peth had been part companion, part
secretary to Lady Westray. Now that
Lady Westray was no longer lady OF
the manor but that lady's chaperon---
for the widow OF tho late Sir James
had been left poor-Elspeth occupied a
somewhat anomalous position,
She was a tall, slender girl, with n
grave, thoughtful face, whose only
beauty lay In the eyes-dark brown,
soft and earnest. They looked at Mag
nus often with an expression whose
meaning he could not fathom, but
which made him vaguely uneasy.
He rose to follow her from the room.
As he did so there was startling glare
OF light, and overhead q rafting peal,
which seemed to shake the whole
house. Lilith uttered a cry and chung
to Magnus.
"oh, don't gol don't leave me alone!
Lady Westray can wait; there Is no
hurryl
Lady Westray is nervous about the
thunderstorm, Miss Stuart said Els
peth, In her quiet tones, which might
have almost seemed emotioness II It
were not for certain fash In her
brown eyes, which Magnus caught as
she raised them for one moment, and
then let them fall again. THAT Is why
she wishes to see DR.. Hacrow at
once"
But you are keeping her companyw
Lilith cried. Then she raised her i'm
ploring eyes to Magnus' face. What
man could resist that look?
Miss Troll will stay with you, Miss
Stuart. There is nothing to be afraid
Of" said Magnus, gently loosenlng her
hold. "You know my first duty is to
my patient"
DUTY? An, what an unpleasant
word that Isl" said Lillth. But have
no right to detain you; only you will
come back before you leave the cas-
tle?"
81 shall come back" Magnus replied
gravely. Then he left the room.
But he had barely escaped from Lady
Westray, who was a nervous, selfish
hypochondriac, for whom no one had
any affection save Elspeth Troll, when
the messenger arrived from Abbots
Head, covered with perspiratlon ana
pale with fright.
Magnus was met on his way to Lii
this sitting-room by footman with
the message.
TITS a matter Of life and death, sir,
the young man babe me tell YOU" said
the pompous functionary
"Tell him to return to Abbot's Head
at once, and l shall overtake him."
said DR.. Magnus. He snatched mo-
ment to say farewell to Lilith, who
was still sitting in a corner Of her room
hiding her eyes from every fash OF
while Blspeth Troll bent her
dark eyes over heavy seam. For
as Magnus knew well, was
never idle, but employed all the time
she could spare from Lady Westray in
working for the poor.
Going? All, It is unklnd-it is pos
itively cruel Of your said Lillth when
Magnus announced his intention. And
in such storm! Must exercise my
woman's right, and forbid it?"
"You will not, Miss Stuart, I ain
sure" said Magnus, holding her hand
fast and feeling his pulse thrill. when
you know duty calls me away"
Ito be Continued)