The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-04-06
unheralded, Randolph Chester entered

unheralded. Randolph Chester entered
the room. =
Her face crimsoned, then paled. She
| threw back her head with a naughty,
impulsive gesture he knew so we'll.
sc had he seen her express her trans
tory anger as a little child. when some
n had opposed. her will.
But would she be as easily appeased
| now as then? ? He believed not; but
he was not dis,mayed. Did he not hold
firmly in his hands the weapons for her
subjugation?"
Pardon my Intrusion, Beatrice" he
said, gently, "for such I am, unhappily,
sure you will deem it. But 1t is quite
necessary that I should see and a
with you, and I feared to send my
name lest you should deny me-"
"You are quite right" she answered,
icily. There is nothing you can have
to say to me which I must be forced to
hear-nothing which I will hear. I was
about writing to Mr.. Arnold to come to
me tomorrow. You can make him the
messenger between us"
mo, Beatrice. No man a be my
messenger in what I have to say to
you. You only must hear. From your
lips alone can I receive my answer
My child, will you no let the tie OF
blood between us teach you to look
more kindly upon me? Will you not
believe that I am not your enemy. but
your friend = your cousin? Gladly
would I urge a closer claim. I love
you, Beatrice-love you with all the
passion and ardor of my soul! I would
be your friend, lover. protector, hus>
band, all in n o, Beatrice, do not
look so white, SO stern, so hard! LIE.
me teach you to love me, to give me
some little fragment of hope for my
heart to feed upon!"
All the subtlety of his fascination was
in his n and his words as he
made his plea. His eyes blazed with
passion, his voice quivered with feel
ing: but he was gentle. as though
pleading with a little child. But no
softening crept into the pale, beautiful
face of the girl, who listened and shiv'
cred.
".You force me to answer you?" she
said, at last, between her f1rmly-set
teeth. while her hands fnstinctively
clenched. els it, indeed, necessary that
i SNOulU let yOu AIIOWS al WOAAos SAS
utter hopelessness Of such a plea to me
"a plea which. coming from you. is an
insult? Yes, it is well no other ear
heard, no other mind conceived. this
last browning humiliation to which
you have subjected me-. You ask mS
to marry you-you, who swore away
my love and life; you. who per5ured
yourself in yeur false witness against
him; you, who conceived n fastened
on the world a lie, SO base, 50 cruel.
that it's black reflection should shut out
all future sunlight from your life!
Well. you have spoken and I have
heard. Will my answer suffice? II not,
let me make it more clear. Let there
be no mistake between us. II choice
were given me between going to your
embrace or accepting the death en-
brace of the glittering, sinuous reptile
folds Of the venomous cobra, j would
choose the latter as less poisonous
than yours"
She spoke with painting breath. her
words low-voiced but clear, distinct,
though suppressed by h feeling that
bore her beyond her own control.
Chester's face grew red.
One day she should wipe out In her
hearts blood every syllable which had
burned itself upon his revengeful mem.
ory-on day!
But, conscious of his power, he could
afford to wait. ....
And so, by almost superhuman effort,
he nerved himself to control, and when
at last he spoke, his voice gave no evil
dence of the fearful external conflict.
IT, coovond ,o&1op q NOR stricken nv
some great sorrow than mediating a
great revenge.
At n cost he must make this wom.
an his wffe-ah, he would teach her
then! a s-sta ~ b.
Beatrice" HI said. II little knew
the child Who used to sit upon my knee,
and talk to me her childish prattle;
could ever deal me such a blow. What
better proof can I give you of my love
than in granting you an Instant par
don? One day vol will see and recog-
.nfze your hitter injustice. But,
Beatrice, there are rec sons why I must,
for your own sake, force my suit, UNI
welcome an it is to, you. My child
your fathers will cannot be found, and,
i'm its absence. there may be some diff
cu1tfes in your assuming control OF the
property"
..These are matters for Mr.. Arnold.
not YOURSELF" she interrupted: Sir i
will listen no further to your plaus-
tble manner. Leave my presence. n
my house, or I will ring for my SER
wants to eject you!"
The scorn in her tone rather than her;
words broke down the last barrier Of
his control.
He sprang, white and trembling.
from his chair to his feet.
MAY I ask whose house this IL, Miss
| Markham, that you should issue orders
to your servants to have me thrust
from it's doors?"
.There can scarcely be doubt, sir. al
to Grey Oaks m~istress!''
"Grey Oaks has no mistress" he re,
piled, taking one step nearer and fast
| .enine his glittering eyes full upon her;
as he watched to note how, blow by
| blow, each stroke would tell. Grey
| Oaks owns a master. It II you. Miss
Markham, who are indebted to my
courtesy for your shelter here"
"Are you mad?' she said. II your
guest? Ny household not my own to
command? May I calf even my name
my own?"
"No;" he exclaimed. drawing himself
1 rEAGEI M. EE .LAE a A-E---