The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-06-08

/ 0IOAu olIO ! 4AOk LAY AAS
voice.
HIS words were scarcely heard or
needed as she strove to realize all that
| her discovery might mean.
She had seen only that the drawer
held papers-papers which might prove
worthless-which prove of value great
er to her than the wealth Of all the gold
mines in the world.
She was not sufficient actress to
wholly conceal the emotion the new
born hope inspired.
A flush of the old days was on hel
cheek, a light Of the past in her eyes,
and the Jealous eyes watching her saw
n were troubled.
1--WE half q mind to turn the desk
into ~f1rewood!" he said, modify, as the
sound he had heard when the drawei
closed again REQUIRED to him. Il al
ways hated the ugly thing!"
A startled look of sudden fear came
into the beautiful face.
But at that moment came a welcome
interruption in a voice from h open
doorway.
Don't carry u your threat. MI.
Chester" said Mr.. Grant, advancing in
to the room. THAT is one of the hand
soonest antiques I have ever seen. II
you are serious in wishing to dispose OF
1t, let. me become its purchaser"
IF you are serious in admiring 1t, let
me present 1t to you, rather"
you would not give this desk away,
Mr.. Chester?" interrupted Beatrice. In
quick alarm. "It was papa's. If you
do not like it here, let me have it for
my room.".
ION no account. dear Beatrice" he
answered. Already you brood too
much over the past, without surround
ing you with old objects to feed your
/. morbid fancy. Indeed. I have about
made up my mind to furnish Grey Oaks
quite anew-not to leave q stick Of TIM
be, Of the old stuff in the house."
But this desk-give me- this? Mr..
Grant will, I am sure, resign the gift to
me?"
II would, with pleasure. Miss Mark
ham, he replied; "but I am inclined to
believe tina Mr.. Chester Is right, and
that old memories are hurtful to you.
Still, I leave the decision to him. and
shall be wholly satisfied whichever way
1t turns"
"The desk, my dear Grant, is yours
Give me your address, and 1t shall be
shipped early in the morning."
In the morning! There was yet the
night to act-to think! Oh, what
should she do: How gain possession of
the papers? Whom could she trust? To
rebel further against its being sent
away might arouse suspicion. and sus-
piccion now, at any cost, she must al
lay!
How strangely-how heartlessly, too.
this stranger acted? One would have
supposed he would have generously re-
fused the gift When he had learned that
old associations had endeared it to her.
Were all the world alike?
Oh, God-the papers!> If she had had
but time to catch them from their hid
ing place-to conceal them within her
bosom-she might have defied them all!
Time! there must yet be time! Before
the morning dawned they should be
hers!
"You must come and inspect my pur-
chases," said Mr.. Grant. I'VE must
dress the tree tonight. You will assist
us. Miss Markham"
''Thanks-no!" she answered. coldly.
my deep mourning precludes festiv.
ity."
"when they are busy will be my op-
portunity," she thought.
.You do not like Miss Markham, Miss
Lorrimer?" said Mr.. Grant, abruptly, to
his neighbor, as they assembled. a half
hour later, at the dinner table.
She turned quickly toward him. with
a flush of annoyance on her cheek.
Pardon me-" he continued, 'but I am
something of a mind-reader, and I can
not resist the temptation to try my
power"
"she is insane. One does not give
personal liking. or dislike to the mad"
"You really believe in her insanity? I
have seen no evidence Of 1t. By the
way. MIR. Layton appears to be greatly
interested in her. Is there n relation
ship existing between them?"
Monet" she answered. coldly. why
should you imagine it?"
But to herself III thought:
$50. even strangers notice his infatu-
alton. How shall I end It? How shall
I break the spell which binds him?"
Mr.. Grants, thoughts, too, were busy,
but they would have read only that he
had discovered to Beatrice another en-
envy.
You Will come with us, Beatrice?"
asked Cora, as they rose from the Ia
BILE.
""No, dear: I am going to my own
room. Cora" she added. you once did
me a favor. VII you, do me another
tonight? Why do you grow 30 pale?
Have they taught you to fear me?"
mo- but don't ask me to do any
thing, Beatrice! I would II I could, be-
lievc me. but he watches me So"
HE watches you. and you fear him!
Why. Cora? Oh. my dear little friend,
don't let this cruel serpent fascinate
you. He is SO wicked, 30 cunning, and
you suspect him 80 little! But you
need not hesitate to grant me this ia
vor tonight, Cora! It is very simple!
At 3 o'clock I shall be in the music
room. I wish a few moments-only q
few moments-alone there. But they
are essential to all my future! Just At
that hour make any pretext-keep him.
near you. Pomise me this-swear 1t.
Cora! II he watches you, he watcher
me. doubly. trebly! He makes his SER
wants spies Of every action. Unless
you help me in this, in some way he.
will prevent me. Oh. Cora. don't re-
fuse mel" 8
II VIII try. Beatrice-indeed. indeed,
I will: try!" she answered, ana impulse
ivelys threw her arms about the neck Of
her friend. half In love, half In csntri-
tion, and wholly In resolve to- make