Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-04-11


I am but a nameless outcast, then ac-
cept my lot. All my life, then, have
worn mask? Well, shall wear one
no longer. The world shall know me
as ami"
"But the dead, Beatrice-must they
suffer, too? Remember that here no
one knows your mothers story. Will
you blazon it to the world? Will you
proclaim aloud that the name engraved
upon her tomb is q lie, and never be-
longed to her who sleeps so quietly be-
meath it? My child, do not ask your
love at once. only ask for your faith,
your loyalty, leaving it to time to win
the rest!"
ITO time!" she echoed. "what is
time? How do we measure it? Do
you imagine that an eternity has not
already been lived by me since you en-
spot, have robbed me of light and air
and life? have stolen faith and asked
for faith? have made loyalty mock
cry. and asked for loyalty? Come
prove to me how Bertram Talbot is the
thief you have declared him!-prove to
me that you are an honest man! The
world is upside down to-day. Do not
leave of my old life one stone upon an
other!"
And she ended in a bitter, hooking
| laugh.
Beatrice, have you no pity on your
self or me?" he answered, gently. I'VE
will not speak of Bertram Talbot here,
| but if you will exercise your reason it
| soon will satisfy you Of his guilt. Be-
atrice, I saw him steal the notes and
papers from the safe! But you think
me SO low as to swear falsely to this
fact! Let this pass; if my love were
less, could not forgive it. AS it is,
| remember only that you are blinded
by grief and passion, and also that you
stand in need of my love and my pro-
lection. Neither shall fail you, Beat
| rice, in this supreme moment of our
| lives. You are nameless. Take my
name. Live on in the old house, be-
meath whose roof you were born, and
whose walls may yet echo to the ring
Of happy laughter from children
voices"
"Nameless!" she repeated, YEARLY.
Eyes, am nameless. Oh, papa, come
| back and .refute this cruel lie! And
here I listen, as if I believed it. You
spoke, a while ago. Of proof, Randolph
Chester. Where is your proof? Show
it to me!''
"Nay, Beatrice-where is yours4
Where is the paper that will certify to
your mothers marriage4 You do not
even know the italian town in which
it took place. We have searched ev-
erywhere among your fathers papers.
Nothing can be found"
But we can send agents to Italy.
We will have no trouble then in dis
covering the TRUTH"
"None. But the truth is as I state it.
Doubtless you will find many to recall
the elopement forgive, me, Beatrice,
but so they will name it) of the singer
and the handsome young American
signor. Then what will be the result
Of the inquiry? You throw your secret
the secret of your fathers dishonor,
your mothers shame-to be devoured
by the hungry horde, as you throw a
bone among a set of snarling dogs,
My darling, forget all that have said
except that it better proves my love
Be my wife, and forever will be ST.
fenced the tongue Of scandal, and your
parents may sleep untroubled in their
graves"
leave mel" she said; but from her
voice all hope, all youth had vanished.
II stand between two yawning CULTS
of open fire. In either one or other I
must plunge. Leave me to decide which
it shall bel"
And she sank back, white and mute,
upon her pillows.
He threw toward her one rapid
glance, then silently obeyed her.
The door closed upon him. In the
same instant the mask fell from his
face.
Forlked lightning flashed from his
eyes; his thin lips worked convulsive-
ly.
"You shall pay dearly, my lady, for
every world" he muttered between his
teeth. "Nor shall one be forgotten
one insult overlooked. I love you-yes
Beatrice Markham, I love you-but
better for you did I hate you with a
deadly hate!'
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