The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-04-05

That barrier was suspicion. How
little root It needs to grow TINS Ialai
plant, deadly as upas-tree to every
feeling of kindness and friendships
Magnus hardly knew when 1t mad
sprung up in his heart; but there IL
was, and he could not drive 1t out.
.iDo not look 30 sad, Miss Day." said
! Evan presently. In low voice. Is IT.
my words that have driven away the
sunshine from your face? ! am very
sorry. Heaven knows would sacrifice
a good deal of my own happiness to
keep 1t there"
He bent a little nearer to her; his
hand almost touched hers. Athrill,
the passion and Joy Of which were like
"ten thousand little shafts OF fame,
ran through Day. She held her face
low for fear he should see the look OF
love melting in her eyes.
Then suddenly a step sounded out
side, the low murmur Of voices. Evan
sprang erect, and his hand fell from
Days ~t
The door opened and Magnus en-
tered; but he was not alone. Day rose
quickly as she caught a glimpse OF the
figure OF Lilith Stuart that followed his
the slim, sinuous, graceful figure, ar
rayed in a smart cycling costume OF
pale green, trimmed with a darker
| shade-which made her liker than
than ever that willy enchantress Wv
| len.
Miss Stuart has cycled over to pay
you an afternoon CALL" said Magnus.
He looked bright and elated.
Day was not one of those who are
easily fiuttered or put about by an un-
expected visit She was lady to her
| finger tips; and she was, moreover, too
true a child OF nature to wish to APP
| pear different from her usual self. She
| rose and went forward at once.
How are you, Miss Stuart? You
must have had delightful spin; 1T is
such nne day
Evan Monteith had also risen, and
was standing behind Days chair. Miss
| Stuart shock hands with Day, with
murmured, languid answer. She never
| took much trouble to make herself
agreeable to her own sex. But, as she
dropped Days hand, Day saw an ex-
preston of such terrible surprise, fear,
| and horror spring into her languid
blue-black eyes as struck Day herself
| dumb with establishment. Involuntar-
| lily she looked round to see what hal
been the cause Of that sudden change
| which froze the smile on those beau
tiful lips, and made the whole faca
| cold and hard, with only great terror
| looking out Of it.
Then Day saw that the direction Of
Lilith's eyes turned towards the face
| of Evan Monteith, as he stood behind
her, and that he was regarding Lilith
with something like the counterpart of
her look-one, however, in which 4
| strange embarrassment mingled with
| one OF astonished recognition. Mag
nus, who could not see Lilith's face,
stepped forward.
| May I introduce Mr.. Monteith to
you, Miss Stuart-the gentleman whom
told you had met with so unfortunate
an accident? Mr.. Evan Monteith--
Miss Stuart"
Lilith Stuart had undoubtedly great
command over herself. Whatever her
feelings were, she suppressed them
cleverly. She stepped forward, holding
out her hand, and looked straight into
Monteith's face with those dangerously
beautiful eyes Of hers-a look which
made Day feel as if dagger had passed
through her very heart.
| "Mr. Monteith Is 1t possible. /
hardly expected to see you here"
mo, Miss Stuart. did not fiatter
myself that you would" Monteith an
swered. His words were ambiguous;
SO was his tongue. Magnus looked from
one to the otnsr In astonishment; then
he saw that strange palIor on Lilith's
face, and the strained look about her
| eyes, which even her wonderful self
control was not quite able to hide.
"You know MI. Monteith, then, Miss
STUART" he said. His voice sounded
rough and hard even in HIS own ears.
A great anger possessed him. He felt
that Evan Monteith had grossly de-
| ceived him.
| "Yes-we knew each other-years
ago." said Lilith, with an odd little
halt between each clause, as IL she
were doubtful Of what to say. Then
suddenly she flashed her radiant smile
on Magnus. at Is a surprise to you,
OF course-you did not know that Mr..
Monteith knew me; but It is so long
since we met that we might almost say
we are strangers-might we not, Mr..
Monteith? You have been so long
abroad, was It not? And when did you
return to this country"
She had accepted the chair Magnus
gave her by this time, and she and