The Bemidji pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minn.) 1896-1917, 1900-04-12

~ = = 3 ! Il ' ~ - ta,t
That evening, as she walked slowly
from Stromness, 1t 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 AZ 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 Monteith's arm
and lift her face to his with an ex-
preston which Day could not see, hut
which she could guess. s$
she hurried on, feeling as If she
could not get beyond reach, beyond
sight OF them, fast enough. 'sIt 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. ] was
quite content with the love | had
Magnus' and Bells, and even Ola,s,
and that of the poor people whom i
loved in return. And now 1t is all
ended! Things can never be the same
again never! neyer!"
A quick step rana on the dry sum-
mer road behind her. Day heard 1T.
and knew whose 1t was; and the blood
rushed from her face to her heart.
In a few minutes he was by her side
and had taken her hand in his.
81 saw you as I 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 1t is only week. Do you know
where have been all that timer"
Days white lips framed the word
"No," but 1t 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! B,
Il have been to London and back
again. A good long distance from this
land of nightless summer, is it not?'a
he said, almost gaily Business took
me there, and business has brought
me back again; but think, even il 1
had had no business, ! should have
come
Then the thought darted into Days
mind that he had gone to see Lflith
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.
"EIave 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 whisper.
Days heart melted, then she hard
ened 1t 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 Liz
| it'll Stuart's lover to think he could
fiirt with her for summer days
amusement. Iii
81 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
called to see lis if-if you were leaving
Orkney; but / had no right to expect
it, of course; we were almost stran.
gers to each other" Bis
Ito be Continued) @