Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-07-04
CHAPTER xyxyII-ocontiaued.,

and down the broad stairway, he fol-
lowing. haif-stuPeaed, h~alf-feaTful that
yet. in the Of his victory, 1t
might be saarched frcm him.
a vision OF ioyeliness. she entered the
room. where ali had gathered. to await
her coming.
"ok. Beatrice" whispered Cora.
springing to her side. Don't marry
him, dear. don't. / once loved him, too
child IS ! am. Bat now"
She shUdde-ed as conclutioa 10 her
sentence.
Fear nothing. dear" whispered Be-
atrsce in return.
Ard. wou1eringIy. Cora resumed her
seet.
Only one was absent. Aliens place
was vacant. AS her eyes swept the liz
tie group. he entered and took his place
among them.
The clergyman from the Village
church was also present I'm his robes.
Taking the hand Of Beatrice IN his,
Randolph advanced into the room.
Before the ceremony takes place"
he said, II wish 10 tell you all that /
am about 10 be united with one wEo is
inheritor alike TO her fathers name and
fortune. The cruel mistake regarding
her birth has been rsctiiad. and our
wedding trip is TO the land where we
may gather the proof Of the statement
which ! rave just made. Mists which
have clouded her reason have cleared.
and tonight she m to me-my
bride-my wifel"
The thrill of an irrepressible triumph
was in his voice; his eyes dwelt upon
Tho antsaRynyaJ yrgla - yn=sa-~;an On
her exquisite loveliness.
He made a movement toward the
minister, when she checked him.
"One wordf" she said. You. AZ mas
ter of Grey Oaks. gave TO your friends
"a surprise. Is it not fitting that l should
do likewise? 1t is only 10 tell them that
TO obtain proof OF which you just have
spoken. our contemplated trip viii not
be necessary. My claim 10 my name
and inheritance already is made good!
i, Beatrice Markham. tonight am mis-
tress of Grey Oaks, and the papers TO
prove 1t are already mine. Let him
dare dispute 1t who will"
"Beatrice2" pleaded Chester, calm
yourself. If this be true, ii can in no
way affect our present course. Remem-
Der, your lovers fate hangs on the next
half hour!' he whispered. 50 that she
alone might hear.
MY lovers rate!" she said. aloud.
yes. you are right! All is ready for a
wedding, is 1t not? 1t were fitting. then,
that there should be no disappointment.
There shall be none. What does a
change in bridegrooms matter? All.
Randolph Chester, you believe that 1
have, indeed. gone mad? Not sol Cow
ard! Villain! P~erjurer! Tonight you
shall take my rightful lovers place. as
ne shall step into ~youIs-but yours in
outward semblance only! Where 1
yield him honor. l yield you contempt.
Where l give him my worship. I give
you disdain, Where 10 him | prefer
love. honor and all wifely obedience, 20
you / throw the scorn which you so fit
tingly deserve. Men. do you duty"
As she uttered the asst command. her
voice rose higher.
The doors leading TO the library were
thrown open, and fou officers OF the
law entered and stepped to Mr.. Ches-
ter's side.
Behind them stood Tyrrell, and still
behind them, alone and unfettered. Ber-
tram Talbot.
With one glad cry OF rapture, unheed-
Ing all the rest. Beatrice FASTENED to-
ward him, felt his dear arms close about
her, while her tired head rested on his
breast.
Forked lightning flashed from Ran
dolph Chester's eyes as he glanced from
one to the other OF those who had so
lately been his guests.
What does this farce mean" he
questioned. finding voice at last, but in
stinctipctively conscious. light as was
tbs OBTAINING grasp uron his sleeve. that
1t soon would tighten into force should
he strive TO break free from II.
You wish 10 know what 1t means.
Randolph Chester" replied Bertram
Talbot. while his arm held Beatrice
more closely TO him. 1T means that
you called checkmate too soon' II
means that defeat, instead of victory. is
the issue of your bitter war against
honor and truth. 1t that "a you
have dealt to others. so shall measure
be melted ont to you-perjurer and false
witness. You shall stand in the box TO
which you condemned me. You shall
occupy tonight the cell which / have
left vacant! You shall wear the con
vict's garb with which you. so merci-
lessly. would have dishonored met"
'You can prove nothing" said Ches-
ter.
1--WE can prove ALL" retorted Talbot.
Must o see the papers to believer
Mr.. Legion. show them 10 HIM"
Allen drew from his breast pocket a
packet and slowly unfolded il. One pa
per was plainly marked as Donald
Markham's will, with date affixed. The
certificates. too were easily scanned.
Chester laughed, ~sardonically.
All this proves nothing against me-"
he said. IT did not know that his was
true"
And this mans testimony-think you
II will also prove nothing?" asked Tai
bot. and. pointing TO Tyrrell. who, cow
ering behind the rest, had hitherto been
unseen by his late master.
so you've brought him, too" sneerei
Chester. And the game Is up. Ell?
Well. / made a good fight, and IL was
for the sake of a woman's face. Aye.
Beatrice Markham. remember IL always.
when you revel in the calm. even current
scch men as you call love. that You
throw away the mad torrent worthier
tho ,gme Yes. won have won and Il