The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-05-11
CHAPTER X.

You will break the news to Miss
Halcrow?" said Elspeth gently. An
hour had passed, and all that Elspeth
and Evan, assisted by the terrified
servants, could do for Magnus Hal
crow had been done. He still lay un-
conscious, CHASTITY cut, hastily band
aged in amateur fashion by Evan,
across his head; but with what other
injuries, internal or external, they did
not know.
The doctor who had been wired for
had telegraphed that he was on his
way to Crag Castle; but he could not
be there for an hour yet.
II cannot leave you alone" objected
Monteith.
"Do not mind me; I shall be all
right" said Elspeth hastily. II sup
pose"-she paused with a sudden shud-
der-"nothing can be done for herr"
Monteith shook his head. There was
. strange expression on his face.
Nothing" he said. "You must
promise me on no account to go into
the room, Miss Troll. 1t can do no
good to the dead, and may harm you.
You will promise?"
eyes," said Elspeth. Then suddenly
. strange, inarticulate sound that was
almost cry broke from her, and she
covered her face. cit is too awful!
too horrible!" she cried, "going like
-unconfessed! And a few hours ago
she was sitting here, the incarnation
OF life and brightness. Oh. God, can
not bear to think of it! God-God
have mercy upon herr"
"Amen," said Monteith hoarsely. He
suddenly caught her hand. "Elspeth,
whatever may be in your mind, what
ever you suspect or fear, try to bury it
out of sight and forget. as I shall. We
shall keep our own dark doubts Sc
cret forever from the whole world,
shall we not?"
For ever" Elspeth whispered. and
her lip suddenly quivered. ."You are
generous"
Il must go now" said Monteith. And
90 they parted-Elspeth to return to
her lonely watch, Monteith to hurry
to Abbot's Head
The horror was still dark and heavy
upon him that he had felt as he drew
from under her battered machine very
gently the terribly mutilated figure Of
the woman who had tried to compass
his own death. There was no doubt
In his mind as to that. 1t was she
who had tempered with his machine,
counting on its going to pieces very
probably at the unguarded portion of
the cliff-path.
She had mistaken Magnus Halcrow
Tor him-a natural mistake, for they
fesembled each other at distance
and had made that last desperate at
tempt to rid. herself of him, probably
counting on his springing to the cliff
side of the path, in ignorance of the
broken barricade. How strangely,
awfully, like the judgment of just
God 1t seemed! Monteith was soon at
Abbot's Head. AS he strobe up the
garden-path Day emerged from the
doorway and met him.
Her face suddenly flashed white as
che recognized him; then she bowed
and, after moments hesitation, Of
4ered her hand.
"You have come to say go0d-by?
heard that you were leaving tomor-
row.
'tI was" answered Monteith, slowly
"but it is not that that has brought
me here now. I am sorry to be the
bearer Of bad news, Miss Halcrow--'
She interrupted him a little breath
lessly:
Something has happened-Mag.
nus?"
"You will be brave" said Monteith
gently; land, please God, it may not
be so bad as we fear" Then, briefly
and as gently as possible, he told her
oil.
She listened in silence, her face
growing paler and paler, until it was
drained Of every drop of blood. When
he paused she said, in voice out OF
which all the music had gone:
II may 60 to him."
''I have come for you," said Mon
teith. "The carriage is waiting be-
low"
'I shall go and get ready" said
Day. in low voice.
She turned to re-enter the house, but
- she did so, the whole earth seemed
TO heave beneath her feet. and she
would have fallen had Monteith not
caught her in his arms. For a mo-
ment he held her there, her white face
resting against his breast; then Day
struggled from his clasp.
LET me 60, Mr.. Monteith.""
DAY" exclaimed Evan hoarsely, at
seems almost PROCLAMATION to speak OF
such things now; but, my darling, my
ooly true love, cannot let you go
without asking you to forgive me, and
% say You willstill trust me. Give me
the satisfaction Of taking care Of you
q this terrible time,aand ofsknowing
you trust my cara. Day.syou once said
4 goa loved III z She looked at him
. STRANGELY cut okI lhoss sorEts He'd
go lBtias ayess6f Is. ls a
IL tnaSk. sisl sd1ad =
d - lI III ia = Nd nov I'd
/ 81 almost Ia whisper.