The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-04-06
CHAPTER v. (Continued.)

Of1Afx6N W. (NOntA4OCusy
I'm a word, he fell madly in love
with her, a poor, obscure girl. with
only her fortune in her face and voice
Such strides did his passion make thai
he was ready to offer her even his
name: but when, in the madness of his
love. he asked her to become his wife
he learned of an unexpected and in
surnountable obstacle.
She already was a wife. Married
at sixteen, by her parents, to a coarse
rough man. who treated her cruelty,
and whom she feared and disliked; hel
dife- for three years a been only
Mretchedress.
You can foresee the result. Mar
fiage 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 q mutual a in each
others love.
They left Florence It once-left in
sucl: Il way that she might not be trac-
ed He brought her to his own coun-
try. his own home. He presented hel
to his friends as his wife.
"a yea later. Beatrice was born. and
her mothers life paid the forfeit. Does
my story surprise you, Mr.. Arnold?"
1T surprises and shocks me. sir. be-
yond all words. But, l should be in
clined to impugn it. 1t seems incred-
Able that in all these. years. l should
have believed myself in your cou-
sins confidence, and yet that this
page in his history should have been
wholly shut out ron my view. But
my Cod" he exclaimed. as the dawn
ing Of a new idea penetrated his legal
brain, III this be true. in the absence
of any, will you, and not Miss Mark
ham. are the legal heir"
YES" assented Mr.. Chester, with
In air of WEAKNESS, through his lids
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 conflded to me this history.
He felt it justice to me to tell me all
the truth. 1 need not say it made
no difference in my purpose to win
her for my wife. OF course, I supposed
&he property would pass her will. Fail
ing this, I shall urge our marriage to
take place at once. Once my wife, I
am quite willing to allow the world to
remain in ignorance of the facts, and
to permit her to inherit, all undisputed
by me-
This is very generous action on
your part. Mr.. Chester, but I can we'll
understand your wish to shield Miss
markham from this sad knowledge at
any sacrifice. Have you any proofs
10 support the statements you have
Just made to me?"
"Proofs!" repeated Chester, with a
half-sad, half-mocking smile. "It is
scarcely my side of the story which
requires proof. If my Cousins mar
fiage 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 %singularly methodical
. maj he was"
II know-I Know" assented the law
yer, thoughtfully; but may not these
papers be in the same hiding place
with the missing will? However, I am
andeed rejoiced there is so happy a
road out of all the difficulty. Your
marriage with Miss Markham makes
oil things easy for you both. and saves
her. poor girl, from a knowledge more
Glitter than death. I doubt. indeed,
whether we fully recognize Bertram
1'albot's u~nworthiness 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. 1 hope to secure his con-
Xietion and condemnation before Beat
rice recovers sufficiently to know what
Is being done in the matter. 1t will
only cause her new pain. She is so
proud hat to feel that she had ever
granted such a man a place in her
esteem would be most cruel and humil-
Eating"
'There can, of course, be no doubt of
bis guilt?"
doubt? One does not doubt the ev-
1dence Of his W senses, MI. Arnold, ]
saw Bertram Talbot commit the deed.
saw him steal the papers,"
And then, circumstantially, he relat-
ed the story he had told to Beatrice or
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 az
this could turn her heart for a moment
from such q one as yourself? You
have, indeed, been generous, Mr.. Ches-
ter. and I can only from my heart wish
that you may win the success that you
90 richly Deserve"
Rising as he spoke, he extended hfs
Aand, and grasped the others cordially
Randolph Chester stood a moment. al
Hr. Arnold passed out from h room
while hate. triumph and desire alter
nately swept, in their varying express
Sions, over his face. u
1.-THE trial is set down for next week.
he unused. mo man at the bar pos
sesses keener legal acumen than Rich
ard Arnold, and he saw no flaw in tn
story. How should there be a flaw
Did I not see the robbery committed
Did not Tyrrell pick up h bonds? Ay
4Tyrrell? Dare he be trusted on tn
stand? Yes, I think SO. And then
Bertram Talbot, we will see how you
manly beauty adapts itself to h con
wict's garb! And you. my fair, prou'
cousin, viii your love beat itself agains
the prison walls which hold your lover
Z VIII let you bruise your wings q littl
while. II you must!