The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-04-19

as for Monteith. Monteith took no no.
tice OF it. He turned to shake hands
With Elspeth, then, coming back to
4 Lilith's side. took seat beside her.
You have sent for me. and, in obe--
lsdience to your request, am here, :"
he said, in a lowered tone. Elspeth
rose and made motion as il to leave
the room.
"Oh, don't go, please, Miss Troll"
cried Lilith. Il wish you to play to
| us. Something low and soft and sweet,
like this divine evening. And we shall
sit and dream while you are playing.
Ask her, Mr.. Monteith.'
| II shall play il you wish me, Miss
Stuart, said Elspeth again. She came
back, and going to the piano, opened
it, and running her fingers over the
keys, began one of Mendelssohns
Songs Without Words"
| Lilith lay back In her chair, an ex-
preston Of delight on her changeful
| face.
"Ah! don't distress mel" she said,
when Monteith made movement as
II he were about to speak. DO you
know what feel like? A dreamy yes;
and it is OF the past-the past that
/ comes never againw She sighed
little, and her long dark lashes swept
her cheek, lying like shadow upon
them. Monteith looked at her for a
moment Perhaps no other man in the
| world could have looked at her with
outa thrill of admiration.t
| She looked diyinely fair and divinely
sweet at that moment; but Monteith's
face was strangely cold and stern.
Elspeth played on and on. She was
only a paid employee, and, however
CALLING 1t might sometimes be to obey,
she knew that on Lilith Stuart's favor
depended her situation; for Lady
Westray was not in position to defy
| the mistress of Crag Castle.
And Monteith, in spite of himself,
began to feel strangely softened. His
mind wandered to the old fashioned
garden at Abbot's Head, and to the
dainty figure that used to fit among
the rose-bushes there. He had almost
forgotten the one beside him, and
started as a soft hand fell on his.
Let us go out, whispered Lilith's
voice almostfin his ear, ito the terrace.
The evening is SO enhancing that it
seems shame to remain indoors And
do you hear the birds singing in the
garden? do even above the music.
You will Gomez Monteith rose with
out word. AS they passed the piano
Lilith tapped Elspeth lightly on the
shoulder.
Thank you. It is beautiful she
said. But we have demanded too
much Of you. We are going out on
the terrace"
Elspeth looked after them as Lilith's
sea-green robe vanished outside the
window.
Dare warn him ~ she said to her.
self. And vet / think he knows her.
He does not trust her; but there is no
one in the world / distrust more"
| Lilith had gone to the edge Of the
balcony and leant upon the balusters.
From that point the view was one
which can only be seen in northern
lands Although it was long past sun
set, the sunset glory still fingered in
the western sky in colors so gorgeous
and vivid that no painters brush
would dare reproduce them.
Monteith had followed Lilith and
leant his arm on the balustrade. She
looked up at him, her eyes cleaning
strangely.
"You have something to say to me.
What is IT."
tYes; have something to say to
you,"' Monteith answered slowly, as If
he weighed every word he uttered "A
fortnight ago, Lilith Stuart, you and I
met again under strange circum-
stances. You asked me then IL 1t was
to be war or peace between US. I have
come now to give you my answer.
"Once upon time / was your dupe
and believed in you; but that Is long
ago Now / know you as you are. /
am no longer taken In by your smiles,
your touches, your sweet words. I
know what these are worth, and |
measure my strength, not against
them, but against yourself. And hav-
ing said this, I have said all. You UNI
derstand me now?"
She was still looking at him, but the
expression in her eyes had slowly
changed as he was speaking. There
was something in them now not pleas
ant to seesomething cruel, cleaning,
almost wolfish. She put her hand to
the lace at her white neck, and her
little pink nails dug into 1t fiercely.
Then it is. to be war;" she whis-z
pered, almost kissing the words in a
sibilant undertone.
IF you like to put 1t so-yes, Miss
Stuart" said the young man, very
gravely.
She leant over the balustrade again,
her face growing curiously pale and
set. Then suddenly she sprang erect.
turning to him, laid her hand on his
arm.
Evan, remember all the pastt Oh,
is that nothing to you?
Nothing, he answered, in the same
cold tone 1.-THE past only causes me
shame to remember. am glad to for