The Bemidji pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minn.) 1896-1917, 1900-03-29
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know; but hope you will soon be all
right, My brother, who In doctor.
! will soon be home and / am sure he
will be able 10 cure you" 81.
Those dark, brooding eyes still gaZ-
ed at her, never once removing their
glance from her face. The gaze fright
ened Day, but she made another brave
effort.
You are among friends here, you
know, so you don't need to be anxious
or disturbed about anything. We shall
take care Of you until you are quito
better" Hal
Thank you" said the stranger at
Lass, speaking In deep, toneless voice.
He hesitated TOR long time, then at
last added: And God bless you for
for what you have done. You have been
kind. ! cannot thank you now~-the
words will not come; but, II God
spares me, presently"
Then he lapsed into silence again;
and, as his eyes closed, Day stole softly
from the room to summon Bell.
Meantime MagRus Halcrow was at
Crag Castle,
The Westrays of Crag Castle had
been lords OF the soil for generations
past, and we're also proprietors III
many broad acres on the Scottish
mainland; but now time had come
when the heritage Of many brave and
daring men had fallen into the hands
OF girl, and Lilith Stuart queened IL
at Crag Castle,
II was the Dowager Lady Wastray--
a distant relative of Miss Stuart's, who
also acted AZ her ehaperon whom Or,
Magnus Haler0w had come to visit pro
fessionally; huts,hi patient was not
yet able to see him, and he was now
seated In Miss StuaTts dainty boudoir,
drinking a cup Of afternoon tea, poured
out by her own slim, white hands,
Ut Is so progressively hot that feel
as II even tea drinking were an effort"
she said, smiling and Lilith 6tuart'a
smile was q wonderful one-as she
handed him his cup,
What was the secret OF Lilith
Stuart's strange power over him? None
e1sld aay-ar, rather, every one as
signed II TO different cause, Her
female aGauaintaRces denied that LII
18th was beautiful-and certainly her
features were not perfect; yet there
was a strange, subtle fascination, far
greater than that of beauty. In the
haif-clesed, slumbrous, hlue-hack eyes,
usually So madestly yelled by their
long dark laghes. but sometimes fash
ing look Of hewiidering, maddening
brightness upon those who had been
patiently waiting for it; in the dronp
OF the soft, red mouth, whose whole
expression was SO oddly changed when
she smiled; above ALL IN the smile IT.
self
The face was fair and somewhat
pale, the hair of a ruddy, auburn hue,
There were those who called Lilith
Stuart modern Cleopatra. and those
who gave her even more unpleasant
names, but as those were mostly dis
carded lovers. their opinions were not
to be trusted,
And Magnus Halcrow, that great,
noble, simple-minded son of the Vik"
inga Of old. had also fallen prey to
Liiith's strange fascination, He him
self knew It, and chafed at tho knowl-
edge for he was proud and independ-
ent. and could never stoop to sue for
that which was so far above him.
Il think thunderstorm Is not far
off, and | am glad; 1t will clear the
air." he said, In answer to Lilith's re-
marks.
20, hope not! hate thunderatorms;
| am 80 afraidw cried Lilith.
Even as she spoke there was q vivid
fash. and In a few moments the storm
broke in all It's fury.