Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-03-28
CHATTER v. ,coatinuea.,

only her fortune IN her FAC and voice
Such strides did his passion make that
he was ready 10 offer her even his
name; but when In the madness OF his
love. he asked her 10 become his wife,
ne earned OF an unexpected and in
surmountabIe obstacle
she already was q wife. Married
at sixteen. by her parents. 70 a coarse.
rough man. who treated her cruelty,
and whom she feared and dis7Iked. her
life for three years had been only
+Yretchedress
You can foresee the result Mar
rage was impossible between them:
but in this country nothing was known
Of her. Ny cousin had only arrived
in Florence on the day of her debut,
and his presence there was not sus-
pected. Therefore. they agreed that
they should put the past behind them.
and find a mutual heaven in each
others love.
They left Florence at ~once-left in
such a a that b might not be rae
ed. He brought her TO his own coun-
try, his own home. He presented her
TO his riends as his wife.
"A year later Beatrice was born, and
her mothers life paid the forfeit. Does
my story surprise you, Mr.. Arnold2"
1t surprises and shocks me, sir, be-
yond all words. But, / should be in
clined 10 impugn it IL seems incred-
bile that In all these years. I should
have believed myself I'm your cou-
sins confidence. and yet that his
a g in his history should have been
wholly shut out from my view. But
WV GxndfF Ha n~oTf,,1l - a.. 49,
ing OF a new idea penetrated his legal
brain. IF this be true. in the absence
OF any will you. and not Miss Mark
ham, are the legal heir"
Yes" assented Mr.. Chester. with
an air of WEAKNESS. through his lids
dropped for an instant over the black
glittering eyes. TO hide their flash OF
triumph. Yes: but what matters
that since Beatrice is TO be my wife?
knowing my deep attachment for her,
my cousin confided to me this history.
He felt IL justice to me to tell me ALI
the truth. / need not say IL made
no difference I'm my purpose TO win
her for my wife. OF course, I supposed
the property would pass her will. Fall
ing this. i shall urge our marriage TO
take place at ono Once my wife, /
am quite willing to allow the world to
remain in ignorance Of the facts. and
20 permit her to inherit, all undisputed
by me"
This Is very generous action on
your part. Mr.. Chester. but l can well
understand your wish 10 shield Miss
Markham from this sad knowledge at
any sacrifice. Have you any proofs
20 support the statements you have
Just made 10 me?'
Proofs" repeated Chester. with a
half-sad. half mocking smile. 1T is
requires proof. If my cousins mar
riage had ever been legalized there
would be abundant proof readily pro-
cured. Where is his marriage license
his marriage certificate? Among his
papers we have found nothing. Yet
you know how singuiarly methodical
q man he as"
Il KNOW know" assented the law
yer. t~houghtfully: but may not these
papers be in the same hiding place
WITT the missing viii? However. 1 am
indeed rejoiced there is SO happy a
DAD out of all the difficulty. Your
marriage with Miss Markham makes
all thing easy for you both, and saves
her, poor girl. from a knowledge more
bitter than death. 1 doubt, indeed,
whether we fully recognize Bertram
Talbot's unworthiness even OF her pass
ing favor. 1t Is he, Mr.. Arnold. who
has orphaned her-he who robbed her
father, and now awaits his trial for
that crime. / hope TO secure his con-
viction and condemnation before Beat
rice ecove sufficiently to know what
is being done In the matter. 1t win
only cause her new pain. She Is so
proud that to feel that she had ever
granted such a man a place in her
esteem would be most cruel and humil-
iating."
There can of course, be no doubt of
his guilt?"
idence of his own senses, Nh. Arnold. I
saw Bertram Talbot commit the deed.
I saw him steal the papers,
And then. circumstantially. he relat-
ed the story he had told TO Beatrice on
the night of her fathers death.
The lawyer listened, silently. TO the
end.
Poor child" he murmured. when he
had heard all. And yet such a man as
this could turn her heart for a moment
from such a one as yourself? You
have. indeed. beer generous. Mr.. ches-
ter. and I ar only from my heart wish
that you may win the success that you
so richly deserve"
Rising as he spoke, he extended his
hand. and grasped the others cordially:
Randolph Chester stood a moment. as
Mr. Arnoid passed out from the room.
while hate. triumph and desire alter
nateiy swept, in their varying express
sions. over his face.
The trial Is set down for next week"
ne mused- mo man at the bar pos
sesses keener legal aeumen than Rich
ard Arnold. and he saw no flaw in the
story. How should there be a flaw?
Did i not see the robbery committed?
Did not Tyrrell pick up the bonds? Ay.
TyrreIe Dare he be trusted on the
~tand- Yes. I think so. And then.
Bertram Talbot, we will see how your
rnSnly beauty adapts Itself 10 the con-
vict's garb, And you. my fair. proud
cousKi, win your love beat itself against
the prison walls which hold your lover.