The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-05-04
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a Romance --By Hannah B. Mckenzie.

CHAPTER Ix.-(Continued. J

A$3E3E9t3E3 s
CHAPTER Ix.-(Continued.)
He had to go out after breakfast and
make some arrangements as to his
leaving next day. He was gone an
hour or two, and when he returned
the hotelkeeper met him at the door.
'sMiss Stuart has been calling for
Jon, Mr.. Monteith, and has just gone
Now what a pity, you were not back
ten minutes ago. and you would not
have missed herr" said "the;wortlfY Mt.
Nicholson. But she left a.note for
you, sir. Here it is"
Monteith took the dainty envelope,
tom which subtle perfume of sweet
viole:s arose, and glanced at the adj
dress. He was too astonished to speak.
He took 1t into his room-a regular
bachelors room, with pipes strewn.
0bout the mantlepiece, and his bicycle,
which had been mended since his ac-
eide0t, standing against the wall.
There he tore open the note. "Dear
Evan" ran the bold, dashing writing
OF Lilith Stuart, Il am so sorry to find
Jou are out. I must see you again, II
only for minute. Do not be unmerci-
ful; grant me this that ask of you.
Meet me at the Rowan Crag at two
O'Clock exactly. I shall be there.
Yours. Lilith. P. 81 shall depend
On you"
What could It mean?
Had Lilith, repented? He could hard
ca ne hot \
did. If not, what more could she have
to say to him on the subject? 1t was
impossible to. conjecture. The note
puzzled Evan.
But I must go. shall give her that
last chance. he thought II shall
meet her at two, as she asks. There
will be time after that for me to run
sound to Abbot's Head" 49,
1t was half-past one when he started
from the Cow Hotel. The path from
the town towards the seashore road
vas steep and stony. Evan walked his
machine down it, as he usually did.
Once on the seashore road, he mounted
and rode as quickly as the hilliness Of
the path would permit.
With Dunlop tires and high-geared, so
that he had to put good deal Of pres
sure on the pedals in ascending the
hill. He was near the top, and the
path was very stony, when suddenly
his fore wheel came Id contact with a
large stone he had not noticed.
The wheel went over, but the next
70 vi N&a
thing cracking beneath him; then the
whole frame seemed thrown violently
over, and before Evan could help him
self he was shot over the handlebars,
and landed on his back little dis
lance away from the machine. Luck
lily he-was not much hurt. and in few
seconds was able to pick himself up
and look at his machine. To his
amazement, the front fork had snapped
ut the point where it was drilled for
the axle, the framework had lurched,
the axle springing from the socket,
and the wheel had "buckled"
81 am an unfortunate beggar," NUT
tered Monteith to himself "This is the
second time I've come to grief in these
Islands OF nightless summer. Well,
there's nothing for it but to leave the
machine here and hurry on to keep
my appointment. I can trust the ma
lives not to touch it, He had
scratched his hand severely and twis-
ted his arm: but these were trifing in
1urtes to what he might have expe-
Eteoced. And as Evan hurried on, he
thanked God for what seemed almost
miraculous escape.
-'If it had happened near Rowan
Crag, God only knows where I might
be now!" he thought to himself. shud-
dering a little as he hurried EDWARDS.
II he had understood better the ter
rtbie nature Of the danger he had es-
capped, his thanks would have been
deeper than they were. y
s% So .
Fl am going along by the cliffs this
afternoon. Miss Troll. You will tell
Lady Westray So" 49,.
ION your machine, Miss Stuart?"
EIspeth Troll asked, looking up quick
II.
Eyes; on my machine. Why not?"
II do not know that it is quite safe"
Blspeth said, turning away again to
look out. Of the window Nicholson
has not mended that broken fence yet"
Llith laughed little.
you think am afraid? It takes
more than broken fence to brighten
me, Miss Troll"
She passed out Of the room, and Els
peth looked after her uneasily.
Il do not know why should feel
20 about this sudden resolve of hers"
Ahe said to herself at last, rising and
walking uneasily about the room. II
fssl Is if-as If some terrible catas-
lrophe we're hanging over us all, and
q she had q hand init. Surely am
aliowtng my Imagination to run away
4 Nth me! And yet =
She paused by the work-basket
which stood in corner of the room.
. hook hid been hastily thrown into
IL. Haif mechanically Elspeth picked
e. 10. Il vas entitled Cycling; Com
aa Accidents, and How to Avert