Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-06-13
CHAPTER xxx.

When Beatrice entered the library
next morning. Mr.. Grant las Mr.. Ches-
ter's guest was known) was already
there.
He sat writing, but sprang up eagerly
to greet her.
Holding her little hand in his, he
gazed with adoring rapture into the
pale, beautiful face.
"N1y darling!" he exclaimed, II must
not even draw you to my heart, nor give
you one kiss. I can scarcely dare to
look at you; vet how I have hungered
for this moment!"
She strove in vain to speak-to an
swer him, but her lips only quivered,
and great tears rolled down her cheeks.
Control yourself, my love-" he plead
ed. eat any moment we may be inter-
rupted."
At any moment, he said; yet, alb
sorbed in each other, neither dreamed
that the dreaded moment Of interrupt
ton had already come. Neither saw
the heavy curtain tremble, nor detected
the cleaning eyes which, through its
parted folds, watched every gesture,
every look-the keen ears which drank
in every word.
Listen, Beatrice" continued BERTHE.
"But sit here on this arm chair, dear.
while 1 go back to the desk. There!
We shall be unsupported now. if any
one should enter. Our meeting here
must appear an accident. Once more
we are Miss Markham and Mr.. Grant.
Mr.. Grant? 1t was a bold step, dear,
was it not? But when you, with eyes
of love, did not discover me. I knew
that was safe from him. I shaved Oft
my moustache, darkened my skin and
dyed my hair. My beard, of course, is
false. 1t was all made easier for me
by his suspecting a detective I sent
down to watch Tyrrell to be me. It
helps me play my role the better. At
fairs however, are drawing to climax.
In regard to the man at the lodge,
Chester Will probably to-day discover
his mistake concerning him. I will take
good care. however, that his suspicious
do not fall on me. In fact. think that
may prophesy that he will give me his
confidence and seek my counsel. Not a
bad idea, will it be? To further play
into my hands, he asked me to send
down two men yesterday from the city
detective officers. OF course, I brought
down two in my own service. I almost
wish, darling, you were still in ignor-
ance of it all. But, If escape the next
few hours without detection. we SHALL
believe. bring Randolph Chester to bay.
| And detection is well-nigh impossible.
Only one thing troubles me-the loss of
the papers last night. OF that theft
Chester is innocent. Who could have
taken them?"
II cannot tell. I only felt a hot
breath. reeking with the fumes Of
liquor on my cheek, a rough arm about
my waist; and then, almost without a
struggle, so great was my amaze, that
let the papers go. They would have
proved all, BERTHE. I feel-I know it.
1t seemed as if papa's spirit came back
from the grave to show me the hiding
place. But found them, only to lose
them!"
And, burying her face in her hands,
the sobs came thick and fast.
Hush dear! Control yourself. feel
| as if our long night We're ended-as if
the dawn at last We're breaking. Ran
delphi Chester yet shall meet his deserts
and you, my dearest. proudly assert
your rights. Meantime, Beatrice. con-
fldc in no one--above all. in Edith Ior-
rimer She hates you-her lover loves
you-and her very soul is consumed by
Jealous fires. All, my love. they kindled
| in my own, when, the other night, l, un-
seen, listened to his passionate confess
sion-a confession she, too, overheard
and which kindled the flames of hatred
to a longing for revenge. She is bold
and INSCRIPTIONS. Should she and Ran