The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-06-15
CHAPTER XVIII. tcontinued.)

He paused, he~sitatingly, when his eye
fell on the open drawer of the secret
hiding place. His face grew livid.
What does this mean?" he exclaimed.
'Merciful heaven! Can there have been
some reason in her words just nova?
Ear a robbery have taken placer"
AS he spoke, STOPPING over her, Mr..
Grant raised her from the floor. and
half-carried her to a lounge. AS he
laid her upon 1t he whispered:
''Silence! You are betraying your
self"
Beatrice could not repress a scream.
In her overwrought condition. 1t seemed
to her that little short Of a miracle had
been effected.
She forgot all care: all prudence, as,
cling;ng to him., she cried aloud that he
would stay beside her.
do not leave me! Oh, 10 not leave
mel" she pleaded, pitifully.
But neither action nor words reused
in Chester's mind suspicion. They ap-
peared to him but the counterpoise to
her feeling Of aversion against himself.
Besides, now but one sentiment abb
sorbed him.
What had the empty drawer con-
tanned, and where had it's contents
flown? Had Beatrice. indeed. discov-
cred the missing will? And If SO. who
was 1t who at this moment shared her
discovery? 1t behooved him, indeed, to
know and ascertain this fact.
Beatrice" he said, calming himself
to use the old, persuasive tone. for
give me If, a moment I was harsh.
But tell me what has happened. Have
you, indeed, been robbed?"
"Caution!" whispered Bertie's voice.
again.
But its accents reached her a ALONE.
"To-morrow-give me until to-mor-
row, and I will tell you. Tonight I can
not talk"
but you were robbed?"
II found some papers in the desk, and
In the darkness some nj snatched
them from me. I thought that 1t was
you"
The ashen pallor deepened on Ches-
ter's face.
"Wait here" he said. II will return"
"Bertie!" whispered Beatrice, in a low
voice of supreme ecstasy. BERTHE! 1t
Is indeed you?" @-l
"Yes, my darling-yes," answered the
80 called Mr.. Grant. rs my disguise,
indeed, so perfect?"
Your disguise so perfect and my des-
PAL. SO hopeless! Oh, BERTHE, why have
you not come before?"
because, my love, until your letter
reached me, I knew not where you
were. My anxiety concerning % was
too great to admit even the effort neces-
sary to the tracing Of this fox to the
earth. But were you, indeed, robbed
tonight, Beatrice? Tell, me quickly.
dear" ee
Eyes. I had just opened the secret
drawer. I only discovered It's existence
this afternoon. . All, BERTHE, II 1 had
this afternoon. All, BERTHE, II I q
known then h the desk was to be
made your property. all this might have
been saved"
IT tried to give o some word, some
hint, but dared not risk discovery. AS
1t was. I hoped that you would UNDER
stand.
mo: I was blind. Ny misery blind
ed me to all else. And then the wild,
mad hope that I had discovered the pa
pers that meant to us both 30 much, SO
dazzled me that I could see nothing
nothing. But I nae only clutched my
treasure tight, when, in the darkness,
some one stole upon me from behind
AIu 61lILCA1CN ~ VI AAAS @tS
stant-so 1t seemed to me-the room
was flooded with light, and you and
Randolph Chester were standing loos-
ing at me. In tina moment, BERTHE, I
understood the feeling which prompts
men to murder. I thought that it was
he who was the thief"
mo; for I followed him directly from
the drawing room. It will be a bitter
fight between us as to who shall discov-
er the thief and regain possessionlof the
papers. Meanwhile, dear, I am on his
track. Night and day, I follow ! the
sleuth-hound on the trail of h deer;
and every hour, every minute, I am
nearing the goal. Yet, one false step
would ruin all. Are you sure. Beat
rice, that you are now strong enough
not to betray us by word or glance?"
"Ah, BERTHE, to know you are near
gives me back all my lost strength!
you need no longer fear for me. It was
only when I felt myself alone-only IN
the moments when 1t seemed to me that
the shadow Of death lay like an eternal
wall Of separation between us-that my
strength and courage alike entirely for
sock nle.'
.Ltsten, then. dear. and I will tell you
my plans. l."
He paused. 4
A step sounded In the room beyond;
q rustic Of silken skirts was heard.T The
next instant Miss Lorrimer entered the
room.
.Mr. Grant," she exclaimed, "you
have forsaken us! The tree has reached
q point where your taste 10 absolutely
essential to Its further progress
"Yon have not e It.. Miss Mark
ham,SMhe said rising as he spoke
'.N.ll. you not lend us the benefit Of
your taste, as well?' ls
TO Miss I.orrimer's surprise. Beatrice
asserting laid her hand upon his arm.
HAS she fascinated him, too?" She,
thought.
Half an hour later she saw him write,
on q sheet he had torn from his note
book, a few words.
'sYou would give me no commissions
to-day, Miss Markham..""h he said. MAY
/ give you some for tomorrow, though
they WIN not demand g trip
fare they dificult,. She questioned
with & smile. s84Sk zSa ssSs
hut here wa = ring In her tones
giadnessl i e smile. Edith'ssSqsiack
ears md ind eyes were not slops note.
&s s.s6othsthine l!eB behind those Atr1pIe
Il ds,issS M th0ukhlt aS NNS