The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-04-27

llce OF II. lie turned to snake hanQS
with Elspeth, then, coming back to
Lilith's7 side, took seat beside her.
you have sent for me, and, in obe-
dfence to your request, 1 am here"
he said, in lowered tone. Elspeth
rose and made motion as II to leave
the room.
ooh, don't go, please, Miss Troil''
cried 'Lilith. Il wish You to play to
lis. Something low and soft and sweet,
like this divine evening. And we shall
sit and dream while you are playing.
Ask her, Mr. Monteith."
Il shall play it 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 Mendelssohn's
Songs Without Words"
Lilith lay back in her chair, an ex-
preston of delight on her changeful
face.
"Ah! don't distress met" she said,
when Monteith made movement as
if he were about to speak. "Do you
know what feel like? A dream-yes;
and it is of the past-the past that
comes never again!" She sighed a
little, and her long dark lashes swept
her cheek, lying like a shadow upon
them. Monteith looked at her for a
moment. Perhaps no other man in the
world could have looked at her with
out thrill of admiration.
She looked divinely 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 it might sometimes be to obey,
she knew that on Lilith Stuart's favor
depended her situation; for Lady
Westray was not in a 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 soft hand fell on his.
Let us go out" whispered Lilith's
voice almost in his ear, "to 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 a word. AS they passed the piano
Lilith tapped Elspeth lightly on the
shoulder. tx
THANK you. 1t is beautiful" she
said. "But we have demanded too
much of you. We are going out: on
the terrace" ~ "a
Elspeth looked after them as Lilith's
sea-green robe vanished outside the
Dare warn himr:'. she said to her
self. "And yet think he knows her.
He. does not trust her; butsthere is no
one in the world l distrust more.
Lilith had gone to, the edge of the
balcony and leant upon thu 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. RI
You have something to say to me.
What is it,"
Eyes; 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 II it was
to be war or peace between us. 1 have
come now to give you my answer.
"0nce upon time was your dupe
and believed in you; but that is long
ago. Now I know you as you are. I
am no longer taken in by your smiles,
your touches, your sweet words. z
know what these are worth, and I
measure my strength, not against
them, but against yourself. And hav-
ing said this, have said all. You I'M
derstand me now" K
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 see something cruel, cleaning
almost wolfish. She put her hand ia
the lace at her white neck, and her
little pink nails dug into 1t fiercely.
Then It is to be war" she whis-
l.pered, almost kissing the words In q
sibilant undertone.
"H you like to put 1t so-yes, Miss
Stuart" said the young man. very
.gravely. "A &
| 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
harm. !. 5gs ii Il 55
Evan. remember ali the past! Oh
u that nothing to you q
Nothing" he answered, in the same
cold tone. THE past only causes me
shame to remember. I am glad to for.
4 get Il. Now i have told yon the truth
1.-THE whole truth. Il came I'd Orkney
thinking that iu some way could