Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-03-14

from this. my final decision; II IL
again Bertram Talbot forces ms way
| into the grounds, / will shoot him GOWN
| like the thief he is"
Papa" cried the unhappy gri.
"wi1 Won not listen to me? j Will obey
Won, II YOU wish to break my heari.
But Bertram is going away, and / must
see him once more. l must tell MIN
what you nave said. He KNOWS ina,
| all nv heart is his, as | know that all
his heart is mine. He is coming mere
tomorrow night, papa, because
asked him TO come. He only came to-
night to bid me goodbye, because ne
Is going away to work and max a 1or-
tune, to prove to you that ne cares
! nothing for my money. Oh, pap why
are we rich, If it is to bring US only
wretchedness?"
you say this man dares to again
propose a second meeting between you
for tomorrow night? Beatrice, you
have overstepped my patience beyond
it's limits. Go to your room. You VIII
remain there until / and Bertram Tai
bot nave met"
oh, papa" / may not see him once
may not soften to him, ever 80 little.
the bitterness of your most cruel de-
cision? Papa, how can l obey you In
this?"
AT least, Beatrice. 1 can force obedi-
ence. See to il thai you do not drive
me to take so desperate a step. Now,
go 10 your room, and when we meet
again, understand that this mans name
is never TO be mentioned between u.s.
Papa, / will obey o l am help
less. 1 cannot rebel. But one day you
will regret that you have entailed upoi,
me this bitter anguish. l do not owe 1t
to you, papa. 1t is Randolph Chester's
| doing. DC you think l do not recognize
his handiwork? Oh. papa, why do you
let this wicked, designing man glide
like a snake between US? Would TO
God my eyes had never looked upon his
facei"
Hush! Not another world" eN-
claimed Mr.. Markham. more sternly
than he had ever before spoken in the
presence of his idolized child.
Beatrice gave him one glance Of mute
reproach, and then sadly, but without
defiance, left the room.
Scarcely had the oor closed behind
her than her father was tempted to
hasten after her and beg her forgive
ness, as though he a been the Gull
prit; for, after all, What was there in
the world compared to Beatrice's hap
piness?
She had judged him rightly, but
Chester who. had watched the ending
of the interview, now entered the Ii
brary.
Il almost regret telling you, Cousin
Donald" he said, reproachfully. Il
did not wish Beatrice to be made
wretched, but indignation at this fell
lows presumption mastered me. The
base advantage he took, too of a girls
weakness n your hitherto generous
kindness"
His words did not fail Of their mark.
They, for the moment, banished Be
atrice from her fathers thoughts and
famed the flame OF his wrath against
the youth who once had been lear IL
him, and whom now he termed inter.
loper and fortune-hunter.
Il will win you, yet, my lady," so
soliloquised Randolph, when at last he
had bade his cousin good Knight, and
sought the retirement OF his own apart
ments. Il will win and wear you.
though whether I must love or hate
you l cannot tell"
Slowly the long hours OF the succeed
ing day wore away. Beatrice sat, ST.
lent and impressive, in the exquisite
room which had been to her the scene
OF so many happy hours, within whose
walls her heart a first whispered to
her Its awakening to the dawn of love.
To-day all save faith in her lover has
fled. The night fell and the moon rose.
the little clock chimed the hour when
she and Bertram We're to have me..
Was her father already at the rendez-
vous. She rose and crossed to the Win
dow facing the lawn.
Two figures were at that instant
crossing II, and approaching the house.
n recognized them both. They were
her father and her lover. Randolph
Chester was nowhere TO be seen.
A half-hour followed. All was silent.
What was going on in the library be-
low her?
Another half-hour had passed. but
still Bertram Talbot had not left the
house.
A sudden impulse seized her to GO
down stairs, to see Bertram once again.
and in her fathers presence, promise
TO be true to him. though their separa-
ton was eternal. She was no coward.
and beside Bertram she might, indeed.
be brave. Swiftly she threw open the
door end fastened down the steps. but
on the threshold of the room she
paused. She could near within angry
n excited voices.
Its a lie. Mr.. Markham" she heard
Bertram say II never made such a
proposition to III daughter! Have I
ever lied to you hat you should doubt
me? VIII o not ather doubt one
who brings to you a tale so infamouso
At least, o will let me see Beatrice
again."
Never! You shall never look upon
her face! Whatever money you need 7
will give o I offered you money once
before, but only across my lead body
shall you reach my child"
Money and insult-you are generous
with both, Mr.. Markham. Perhaps one
day you will regret that you were so.
But as for Beatrice"
. slant.tAo C. 49,