The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-04-20


oh, what earthly happiness could be
compared to this? Days whole past
life seemed blank and empty in the
light Of this glorious sunshine that had
now come into 1t.
She could not speak; but she looked
up, and Evan read the truth in those
sweet, shy, melting eyes. He opened
his arms and drew her within them.
And Day made no resistance, but bur-
led her face on his breast, until he
babe her again lift it up, and then laid
on her young lips the first kiss of love
they had ever known.
CHAPTER VII.
One day Magnus had come home
from Crag Castle looking strangely
pale and detected. Day was wise
enough, like tactful maiden as she
was, not to ask him anything; but
when she had given him his tea, and
Magnus was leaning back in his chair,
he suddenly said:
"Your friend, Mr.. Monteith, was at
the castle when l was there, Day."
Day started, and warm blood rushed
into her cheeks, then receded, leav-
ing them deadly pale.
"With-Miss Stuart?" she asked. af-
ter long pause.
with Miss Stuart" Magnus replied,
in tone of assumed cheerfulness. He
was silent for little; then, rising.
walked to his sisters side and laid his
hand on her shoulders.
MY dear little sister, there is Just,
one word I wish to say to you, and
then We shall allude to this subject
no more. 1t is about this young fell
low, Evan Monteith. We must remem-
Der that we know absolutely nothing
about him. l do not wish to enter
tain any prejudice against him; but
this We can say in all fairness-he has
preserved a perfect reticence with re-
gard to himself towards us.
1T is better, I think, for us both to
treat him as this reticence almost
compels US to do-as a mere chance
acquaintance, stranger, with whom
there can be no question of friendship,
simply because the necessary basis Of
friendship does not exist. Now, little
one, that is all. Put him out of your
mand, If you ever allowed him to have
any place there; and be my own sweet,
light-hearted little sister once more.
Don't let us speak again of the SUBJ
ject. Now give me kiss, Day, and
let me see you smile and look as bright
as you used to do.'
Day held up her mouth to his, but
a rush of mingled tenderness and pity
swept over Magnus as he felt the pitt
full trembling Of her lips She made
brave effort to smile, and succeeded
not badly.
THAT is like my joyous Day." said
Magnus, smiling. His own gloom had
disappeared in his effort to render her
cheerful.
Now another cup of tea, little one,
/ am going over to Kirkwall tomor-
row, Day-or, rather, to Scapa. Capt.
Ferguson's boy is ill, and he wishes me
to see him.
I shall have to take a conveyance.
What do you say to coming, too? 1t
woud be nice little trip, and you
could call for the manse folk at Kirk
wall on the way back"
Days heart was sick within her, but
she made another brave attempt to
look delighted, though the projected
trip held out no attractions for her
now. A fortnight ago she would have
leaped at it with childish delight.
1t would be nice, Magnus," she said,
wondering If Magnus guessed how
hard it was to make her voice sound
cheerful. Eyes, of course, shall 20.
1t isn't likely I would miss such
chance"
So they chatted gaily over the pro-
jected expedition, though the heart of
each was heavy; but love made each
try to hide that from the other.
News flies fast over the length and
breath Of the Orkneys, and Day found
that Monteith's accident had been re-
tailed in Kirkwall with sundry addi-
tions to it.
"And we heard such a queer story
yesterday, my DEAR" said Mrs. Nichol-
son, the parish minister's wife, who
was known lover of gossip. ct was
that this young fellow-what is his
name again?-is up at Crag Castle at
all hours. Robertson, the coachman
from the Cow hotel-where he is stay
ing, you know-told the minister yes
terday that Miss Stuart herself cycled
halfway to Stromness to meet him,
and they went on together to the castle.
I always said she was strange crea-
ture, my dear, lady Of the manor as
she is-a very strange creature!"
Day got away at last, heart-sick and
miserable. Could it be true? Could
Evan Monteith, after all, have been
merely amusing himself with her,
while all the time his heart was per-
haps pledged to Lilith Stuart? oh, 1t
was not possible! There could not
be such heartless cruelty hidden be-
hind those earnest, dark eyes, which
had looked with such deep sincerity
into hers! There must be some ex-
PLANTATION! She would trust him still.
But the slow poison Of doubt was in
her veins, and no reason could check
its evil effects.