The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-03-22
CHAPTER I.


me to spend the rest of my life over
a luncheon-table."
Now, you're laughing at me, Mag
nus. No; but hope you are not 60
ing far. You're not going to--to Crag
CASTER"
Daisy Halcrow uttered the last words
hesitatingly, as II not quite sure Of
how they might be taken; but her
brother answered readily enough,
though close observer might have
noticed that his bronzed face took on
darker tint as he did so. ....
Eyes, am going, Day. You knew
/ have to see Lady Westray."
rs she then so very i'll, that you
must go to see her every day." asked
Day quickly. Perhaps there was a
faint shade of sarcasm in her ques-
ton; but if there was, Dr. Magnus
took no more notice of it than he had
Of her former hesitation.
He had been standing by the mantle
piece, leaning his elbow upon it. Now
he came to the window, in which his
sister stood, and gently laid his hand
on her shoulders.
'My dear little Day, Lady Westray is
just as i'll as she imagines terself-in
other words, she is a confirmed hypo-
chondriac. But must not forget that
she Is one of the few among my pa
tients who are likely to pay me for
my services"
The girl caught his hand impul-
siyely.
That is not the spirit Of my noble,
independent, great-hearted Soaking,
who does his work for love of itself,
and for love alone! Nor is it the spirit
of our dear old daddy, MagLJs, who
gave OF what he had freely and was
content so long as he had wherewith
to eat and drink and be clothed"
Our father was only too generous,
Day" said Magnus slowly you know
1t is necessary to have little worldly
wisdom and forethought as long as you
are in this world. And / have an am
bition, as you know, and that is to
repair and beautify this ruined home
VI IllC IIdlClo"S. Dul Il LluSJ uOI WASTE
time now. Give me kiss, little one.
and let me co.
Take care of yourself, and don't be
overtaken by the storm, DEAR" said
the girl. She stood on tiptoe and
pressed her fresh young lips to her
brothers bearded ones; then sudden
ly threw an arm around his neck, whis-
pering, Safe home, my Sea-kingw
She stood by the window until she
saw her brother emerge below, leading
out his bicycle. The fortunes of the
Halcrows were fallen indeed, and long
since Magnus Halcrow had had to part
with his fine chestnut, the less aris-
tocratic and less expensive steed serv-
ing him equally as we'll Day smiled
and nodded and waved her handker-
chief, as her brother took off his cap,
smiling also, mounted his iron steed,
and shooting down the road, soon van
ished out of sight.
A bicycle Is not the best mount for
showing off a mans stalwart or hand
some figure; but Magnus Halcrow's
proportions were so magnificent that
nothing could hide them. He was, as
his sister had called him, a veritable
Sea-king-a lineal descendant of those
Authenticated, blue-eyed, brawny
Mortimer whose fame and exploits
Saga and scald have sung.
Six feet in height. he was splendidly
made, with square shoulders and I'M
bent back. His limbs were sinewy and
muscular; his face, burnt to a bronze
hue. was the noble, open, generous
one Of an honorable. God-fearing, clean
souied young man. His blue eyes and
abundant auburn hair made him like
a sun-god
The Halcrows were true Orcadians,
and to them this Gland OF the mid
night sun" was Of more Importance
than all the great world without. For
thirty years DR.. Halcrow, the elder,
had lived at Abbot's Head, wearing
out his life in the hard work of Q
country doctor, "a his father had done
before him. Then he had died, and
his son Magnus had taken his place,
to the rough fisherfolk and
farmers within twenty miles.
And Day lived with him-Day, whom
her mother, who had died shortly after
she was born, had named Daisy; but
who, to her father and brother, was
always Day-Day, the soft-eyed and
dark haired, small and slim of stature,
whon' everybody loved; Day, the
eighteen-year-old, to whom all life as
yet was fair and sweet, because she
had known none but those who loved
her and whom she trusted.
When DR.. Magnus was out of sight
Day still stood by the window. look
Ing out haif-absently on the scene be-
fore her.