The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-03-30

was thrown open, and Randolph Chess
ter, fully dressed, preceded two men,
the gardener and the coachman, while
between them, as If in their custody.
stood a third.
Randolph Chester cast toward Mr..
Markham n penetrating look, and
saw that his moments were numbered.
"We have caught the thief, sir" he
began, with a significant glance toward
Talbot.
But as the insult escaped his lips, the
latter made a spring toward him. The
two men caught his arms and held him
back.
sit is only necessary for you to ident-
ify him." continued Chester, coolly.
MIR. Markham's power of speech had
nearly gone. He pointed toward the
three, but his glance and finger were
directed toward the coachman, who
grew CHASTITY white.
Bertrand" he gasped-"Bertram-
proof! I consent! Beatrice! the will
the papers-you will find-the secret"
He could say no more. His head fell
back. An expression Of acute pain
swept over his face, succeeded by per-
feet peace.
Donald Markham, master Of Grey
Oaks, was dead
Randolph Chester bent over the dead
man a moment, while a swift expression
Of triumph passed over his face; then
he went toward Beatrice and tenderly
took her hand.
"Come away, my child" he said,
| gently. your father is dead"
Dead" she moaned. mo, no! oh.
| God! how could he die, when SO little
| time ago we were talking of to-mor-
row? Papa, papa! speak to mel"
ut was heart disease, Beatrice. He
element would bring on death. He
had kept it q secret from you, fearing
to cause you un~happiness."
And this was what he meant to tell
me?" sobbed the girl. "And it was I
who killed him-I, who loved him bet
ter than my life!"
mo. Beatrice; there stands his MUIR
derer! Look at him!" and he motioned
toward Bertram, whose white lips met
in one straight line, but who made no
further effort to escape from the de-
tanning grasp of his two guardians.
"Bertie!" cried the unhappy girl,
"Bertie, why do o not speak to me?
What is he saying? Oh, my brain is
Keeling! I am going mad!"
"Go to your room. dear child" plead
ed Chester. Call this is more than you
can bear. Tomorrow you shall know
ALL"
Tomorrow! MOI" she answered,
firmly. Tomorrow is already to-day,
and 1 will hear now-now, all that you
have to say! But what is this you say
Of BERTHE? I cannot understand"
"Yet tonight you heard him boast
that gold should buy you. How could
he gain that gold? He stole back into
the house he had left; entered the IL
brary by an open window. while your
father had gone for a moment to his
room. leaving open his safe, at which
he had been examining some papers. A
pile Of bonds and notes were lying
there. These he seized. and was just
about making his escape, when your
father entered. I was standing outside
the window, an unseen witness to all
that followed. I had been restless.
could not sleep, and the beauty of the
night had tempted me to enjoy it nor
perfectly outside. Your fathers. ex-
element had passed away, and hi
asked him, quite calmly, why he had re-
turned. He began to speak, when your
fathers eye fell on the safe. Instantly
he knew that he had been robbed, and
that the thief stood before him. Ole
man as ne a he sprang toward him
but with a swift movement Talbot
! eluding his grasp. turned to escape by
the window but, seeing me. fled through
the door. I lost no time in pursuit. ]
could not dream that Cousin Donald
was SO i'll. Tyrrel I met in the grounds
He was just returning to his room,
from the village. Gray, I knew, wal
sitting up with his sick wife. One mo
ment sufficed to call them both. We
had little difficulty In overtaking ani
capturing the cowardly criminal. Be.
atrice, It cuts me to the soul to tell me
this, as you stand by your dead faith
er's side. yet a moment ago you heard
from his lips a confirmation Of my sto'
ny. You saw him identify the thief"
"Thief. do you say?" she questioned
i~nterrupting for the first time. while
her glance mi instant fell on Bertran
Talbot's face. and met the answering
glance from the clear brown eyes which
met hers SO fearlessly, and mutelJ
seemed to ask, Beatrice, do you be.
lteVe this 1e!
whoever calls Bertram Talbot thiel
-lies!" she said. "Bertram.. why d.
you not speak?"
Words are useless, Beatrice" he an.
swered. LET this villain work hi,
worst-my explanation and my pres.
ence here tonight is not for, his ears!'
"Nor your explanation Of how these
came into your possession?" questioned
Chester. sc%ornfully; and he drew ffon
his pocket q package of bonds and
notes. .'Tyrrel, explain how and where
you found 4them?"
"Mr. Talbot threw 'ern away. sir, az
we came up to him; and /, thinking
they might be Of some value. picked 'em
up"
you see, Beatrice, these are the stol.
en- bonds. Do you wish more proof?'
asked Chester.
More Proof? Yes!" she cried. ri
wish proof that you are the thief, and
these men are false witnesses! oh,
papa. speak! Open your dear. lips! ]
need you-more than ever In my life ]
need you! Papa, papa, come back t.
mel, @
An expression Of hate and bitter de-
termination swiftly passed over Ran.
ladolph Chester'a face. Then he forced 1
smile Of forgiving pity to take III place;
but the evil light lurked In; his eyes
and would not be hidden. s
Beatrice. - he aaid, t.you wilIsregret