The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-04-13
CHAPTER IV.-(Continued. J

DUTY again? Terrible word duty!
seems to me the greatest enemy of all
human Joy and ease and love-" said
lilith. els it wicked of me, DR.. Hal
crow? but I almost wish there was
10 such thing. We should all be so
much happier without"
Not If duty represents to us, as 1t
should do, the will of God" said Mag
nus. in a low voice. But should
not wait, Miss Stuart; it is matter
OF life and death. Let me bid you
goodbye" -
"You will go then? Now 1 know
chat my influence over you counts for
nothing" said Lilith. She looked
straight into his eyes, and her own
were wondrously soft and languid.
Elspeth Troll shot one hurried, fur
tive glance from her work, and she
caught that look of Lilith's. She saw,
too, how Magnus Halcrow first flushed
and then grew pale before that look.
There suddenly flashed into Elspeth's
mind the remembrance of a scene she
had read about, where, in the dim,
long-ago woods OF Broceliande, willy
vivien flattered and lured noble Mer-
lin to his ruin. And Elspeth's thread
suddenly broke, and her hand seemed
oddly unsteady for moment Then
6agnus released Lilith's hand.
"You cannot be in earnest, Miss
Stuart" he said gravely. "My honor
as a doctor, and my humanity as a
man, call upon me to go at once with
help wherever it is required. must
not wait. Goodbye"
With two of his long strides he was
Ut the door. He had never even no
ticed that Elspeth Troll was present.
Elspeth went on with her sewing, only
her face seemed little paler now than
It had been.
Magnus was soon speeding on his
homeward way. He could not drive
Lilith from his mind. A subtle at
traction drew him to her, and yet, as
soon as he was gone from her presence,
something in him revolted against
that attraction. He hardly dared give
the feeling words lest he should have
70 own that he distrusted her.
He raced EDWARDS, little guessing
that the man to whose help he was
going was one whose fate was strangely
interviewer with that of Lilith Stuart's.
There is little prescience in human life,
whatever telegraphy and spiritualism
may say, and Magnus could not foresee
the terrible future.
Day met him as he sprang from his
machine.
ooh, Magnus, how quickly you have
come! I am so glad to see you. He
Is conscious, dear; but that is all.
think he was struck by lightning or
his machine was, more likely-and is
dazed and paralyzed by the shock; but
he may be injured, too"
ga stranger" Magnus asked, as he
gave his machine into Jamie's hands.
Day gave him hurried account of
all that happened as she preceded him
into the sitting-room.
II think he must have been cycling
from Scapa to Stromness. He may
have friends there, though am quite
sure he does not belong to the island.
But. here he is"
The eyes Of the young man were wide
open as Magnus approached him. Mag
nus was struck, as Day had been. by
the refinement and patrican cast of the
face before him. #t
leave US, Day." he whispered to
the girl. Il shall come to you in a
little while"
It seemed ages to the girl as she
waited in the laboratory before her
brother reappeared. In reality it was
about an hour. Then he came to her
side and laid his hand on her shout
der.
Brave little Day! You have saved
. fellow-creature's life. have been
able to bring back full consciousness tc
. paralyzed brain and body, and in a
week or two have no doubt our friend
will be as we'll as he ever was"
In week or two?" repeated Day.
Then there is some injury?"
ellis ankle has been sprained, but
that was owing to the fall; no bad
results from the lightning-stroke will
follow" Magnus bent and kissed his
sisters soft cheek.
"Day, If you had not brought him
60 the house and sent instantly for me,
I do not know that he would ever have
recovered the shock. My dear little
sister, you are the bravest girl in ali
the world"
The soft eyes filled very full at the
words Of praise; but, "low in her
heart" Day thanked God. Never in
her young life before had so strange a
lie bound her to fellow-creature, and
her heart thrilled and grew warm at
the thought Of it.
And now / think you might take
him in one Of Bells famous decoctions,
and give him a little nourishment, z
said her brother. my part is done,
and this Is yours, Day. He is quite
weak yet, and requires something 10
strengthen him.. Il
Il shall have It ready in no time,
isaid the girl. IT,.
She hurried sway to get It ready,
ghils llAsnus returned to his patient.
y hen Day cam4 In, bearing her little
& 1ay, thu dark eyes on the sofa met
AZ -. -.