The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-06-22
CHAPTRE xxxl-(Continued.)

eff so, then I am mad, indeed. Would
that it were my fancy! All, Mr.. Lay
ton. you Will soon learn the bitter
foundation on which my so-called fancy
has been built-soon stand aghast at
this mans monstrous wickedness!"
II wonder If 1 did right" he ques-
toned of himself, mot to tell Chester
last night what l had seen? I wonder
AZ love binds me to the duty that I owe
my host? Yet I might further harm
her. and that I cannot do. A few days
sooner or later can work no great mis-
chief, and until then I must keep my
own counsel!-must watch n wait.
Poor little girl! All, IL she might but
rest on my heart. how gladly 1t would
open to receive her! But instead, there
stretches before me a long, cherries
path of duty, and cold and stately Edith
Lorrimer's step keeps pace with mine."
The day wore to its close, and The
evening shadows ushered in Christmas
Eve. The Christmas tree was lighted,
with its innumerable candles,
tempting and beautiful gifts hung from
every bough.
Mr.. Grant had fulfilled his commits
.sions well. All of the little household
had gathered in the drawing room. All
were waiting their hosts surprise.
Rarely, indeed. had Randolph Chester
been seen in so genial. so sparkling a
mood. The guest particularly honoced
by his attention was Mr.. Grant.
HE knew your father years ago
dear Beatrice" HI said, when he was
but a lad. It seems strange. does 1t
not? But we welcome him doubly at
Grey Oaks for Cousin Donald's sake"
The girl listened with a dull weight at
her heart. His words meant something?
What?
She strove to throw to BERTHE a glance
of warning, but she could not catch his
eye
AS they gathered about the tree Ches-
ter left the room: but almost before the
.eest had missed him he was among
them.
'You promised US a surprise. Mr..
Chester" said Miss Lorrimer. when
is it to be?" +
'You shall not have great need Of pa
'tience," he replied, but first I want to
tell you a little story. 1t concerns my
Cousin Beatrice and myself. suppose
you make yourselves the judges be-
tween us. On the night Of her fathers
death a robbery was committed-a rob-
berry which cost his life. It was no
theft nor common thief. The
man who robbed him was one whose
hand he had honored by clasping 1t I'm
Friendship, and who in return, Judas
like, betrayed him.. He dared. too, to
aspire to h hand of my cousins heir
-ess. she who was betrothed to me"
'.It is, false!" interrupted Beatrice.
S'FIow dare you utter so base a lie?
'.She was betrothed to me-" he re-
apeated, quietly, and u%nheeding the de-
,nial; "but under the shock OF the
events of this night her brain gave
way. Her former love for me became
aversion-and to this man-this thief
this murderer-she gave her heart. He
was at once arrested and imprisoned.
but escaped. She, too, fled from my
home and protection. OF her return
you all know: but what you do moi
know is hat he followed her here-he
dared penetrate in disguise beneath
the roof of the house he had desecrated.
She, poor child, in. her madness. sent
him word to come to her. That word
fell into my hands, and I let 1t go to Its
destination. I wished to entrap the
wary plotter in the meshes Of his own
plot. Nor have I failed to do so.,You
all may have noticed an old man, with
bent frame, white hair and beard, work
ing in the grounds"
Al these words Beatrice breathed
freer; at least he did not suspect the
truth.
..That old man is in reality young"
continued Chester-"young and strong
and athletic. His senses are keen and
ever on the. alert to escape detection;
out detection has overtaken him. We
have penetrated beneath the white.
hairs, the bowed frame and h trem-
bling hands, and ave learned them all
to be as false as the wrinkles which
draw his brow. Beatrice, the mask has
been snatched from Bertram Talbot's
face. I have asked these friends to be
Judges between us. Will you, likewise,
consent to their verdict?"
A scornful smile wreathed her lips.
.sBertram Talbot Is not yet in your
power," she answered, nor could h re-
press the little thrill of exultation In
her tone.
"You think not?" he responded,
mockingly, and, drawing slowly to the
side of MI. Grant, laid his hand, as II,
In friendship, On his arm. What do
" . y
what lowering his tone.
ITO wreak your worst!" replied Tai
bot. an inkling of the truth breaking
upon him; but secure. yer II 30, In
the trusty men he had about him.
II have done So" replied Chester,
with q sheer. 1T am nearly done. But
one step remains to be taken. That
step constitutes the surprise I have
promised my guests. The old man, has
madeea hasty exit from the lodge. and,
~viln,Rularly enough, Grant, your W de-
tectiyes from New York proved his ac-
completes. They, likewise. have disap-
peared. I concluded to-day to execute
my own commissions. The result is
that the state may feast another pris-
.oner. Bertram Talbot. alias Mr.. Grant,
can you guess, who It may be-"
AS he spoke the last words, h door
was tlung open simultaneously with
their utterance, and three men sprang
into the room and to Talbot's side.
One moment suf1ced to overcome his
desperate resistance.
Then he stood, pale az marble, his
burning eyes fixed upon the woman on
whom his love had entatled yet further
1nisery.
He had been 30 safe, 20 secure In ails
hfs plans. Wa! Chester maj ofadeYil,;;
mt ne hid thus OWNED and frustrated
- As sastss sNs9ss ss%SM