The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-04-12

breath of the Orsneys, and Day fourd
that Monteith's accident had been re-
tailed in Kirkwal with sundry addi-
tions to it,
And We heard such a queer story
yesterday, my dear" said Mrs. Nichoi-
son, the parish minister's wife, VINO
was known lover of gossip. 1T was
that this young fellow-what is MS
name again?--is up at Crag Castle at
all hours. Robertson, the coachman
from the Cow hotsl-where he is stay
ing, you know-ttld the minister yes
terday that Miss Stuart herself cycled
halfway to Stronness to meet him.
and they went on together to the castle.
/ always said she was strange crea-
ture, my dear, lady of the manor rs
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-
planation She would trust him still.
But the slow poison of doubt was in
| her veins, and no reason could check
| it's evil effects.
That evening, as she walked slowly
from Stromness, it seemed to Day as
if all the fair earth and sky had grown
dark and clouded for her.
She turned sharp corner, which led
over a steep ''brae" to the road for
Crag Castle. AS she did so she start
ed, sharp physical pain shot through
her heart. For there, standing very
close together on the road, evidently
in deep and earnest conversation, were
the two people she was thinking
about-Lilith Stuart and Evan Mon
teith! They did not see her-their
backs were towards her; but even as
she looked Day saw Miss Stuart sud-
denly lay her hand on Monteiths arm.
and lift her face to his with an ex-
preston which Day could not see, but
which she could guess.
She hurried on, feeling as If she
could not get beyond reach, beyond
sight of them, fast enough. TT is all
at an end" she said to herself. "He
could not have loved me. He was only
playing with me. Oh, it is hard! Why
did he ever come? My life was so
peaceful and happy before. l was
quite content with the love I had
Magnus' and Bells, and even Ola's,
and that Of the poor people whom l
loved in return. And now it is al
ended! Things can never be the same
again-never! never!"
A quick step rang on the dry sum-
mer road behind her. Day heard 1t,
and knew whose it was; and the blood
rushed from her face to her heart.
In few minutes he was by her side
and had taken her hand in his.
Il saw you as / was coming up Bell
Brae on my way to the hotel, and ven
tured to run after YOU" he said tone
of eagerness in his voice. 1T seems
such a time since / saw you last, and
yet it is only week. Do you know
where have been all that timer"
Days white lips framed the word
NO." but it was almost too low for
him to hear it; yet her heart had
bounded. He had been away some
where, then! At least he had not been
near her all that long week, and vet
never troubled to come to see her!
II have been to London and back
again. A good long distance from this
land of nightless summer, is it not?"
he said, almost gaily. Business took
me there, and business has brought
me back again; but l think, even IL I
had had no business, I should have
come"
Then the thought darted into Days
mind that he had gone to see Lilith
Stuart before he had even thought OF
her; and again bitter, miserable jeal-
ousy, which will find lodging in the
gentlest and most tender heart, crept
over her.
Have you missed me at all, Day."
Monteith asked, after long pause,
during which he waited in vain for
Day to speak. He asked the question
almost in a whisper
Days heart melted, then she hard
eneG it again. How she loved him! So
much that even as he spoke, her heart
was at his feet. But for the sake of
her own woman's pride she must crush
that feeling down, and not allow Lii
it'll Stuart's lover to think he could
fiirt with her for a summer days
amusement.
Il wondered little what had become
Of YOU" she said, trying hard to steady
her voice and speak calmly and indif-
ferently. Il thought you might have