The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-03-23

from this, my final decision; and II
again Bertram Talbot forces his way
into the grounds. I will hoo him down
like the thief he Isl"
"Papa!" cried the unhappy girl
will you not listen to me? I will obey
you, If you wish to break my heart.
But Bertram is going away, and I must
see him once more. I must tell him
what you have said. He knows that
all my heart is his, as 1 know that all
his heart is mine. He is coming here
tomorrow night, papa, because l
asked him to come. He only came to-
night to hid me goodbye, because he
Is going away to work and make a for
tune, to prove to you that he cares
nothing for my money. Oh, papa, why
are we rich, If it Is to bring us only
wretchedness?"
you say this man dares to again
propose a second meeting between you
For tomorrow night? Beatrice, you
have overstepped my patience beyond
its limits. Go to YOU room. You will
remain there until I and Bertram Tai.
bot have met"
"Oh, papa!" I may not see him once
may not soften to him, ever SO little,
SAlC LlOSo u yOul " iuS y
cision? Papa, how can I obey you in
this?"
"A least, Beatrice, 1 can force obedi,
ence. See to it that you do not drive
me to take so desperate a step. Now,
go to your room, and when we meet
again, understand that this mans name
is never to be mentioned between us!'
Papa. 1 will obey you. I am help
less. I cannot rebel. But n day you
will regret that you have entailed upon
me this bitter anguish. I do not W it
to you papa. 1t is Randolph Chester's
doing. DO you think I do not recognize
his handiwork? Oh, papa, why do you
let this wicked, designing man glide
like a snake between us? Would to
God my eyes had never looked upon his
facet"
'Iiush! Not another word!" ex.
claimed Mr.. Markham. more sternly
than he had ever before spoken in the
presence of his idolized child.
Beatrice gave him n glance Of mute
reproach, and then sadly, but Withoul
defiance, left the room.
Scarcely had the door closed behind
her than her father was tempted to
hasten after her and beg her forgive-
ness, as though he had been the Gull
prit; for, after all, what was there in
the world compared to Beatrice's hap
piness?
She had judged him rightly, but
Chester who had watched the ending
of the interview, now entered the Ii.
brary.
II almost regret telling you. Cousin
Donald" he said, r~eproachfully. Il
did not wish Beatrice to be made
wretched, but indignation al this fell
lows presumption mastered me-. The
base advantage he took, too Of a girls
weakness and your hitherto generous
kindness"
His words did not fail of their mark
They, for the moment, banished Be-
atrice from her fathers thoughts and
famed the flame Of his wrath against
the youth who once had been dear t.
him, and whom now he termed inter-
loper and fortune-hunter.
II will win you, yet, my lady," Sc
soliloquised Randolph, when at last he
had babe his cousin goodnight, and
sought the retirement Of his own apart
.ments. Il will win and wear you,
though whether I must love or hate
you I cannot tell"
Slowly the long hours Of the succeed.
ing day wore away. Beatrice sat. 81
lent and impassive, in the exquisite
room which had been to her the scene
Of so many happy hours, within whose
walls her heart had first whispered to
her its awakening to the dawn of love.
To-day all save faith in her lover has
fled. The night fell and the moon rose.
the little clock chimed the hour when
she and Bertram were to have me..
Was her father already at the rendez-
vous. She rose and crossed to the VIM
dow facing the lawn.
Two figures were at that instant
crossing it. and approaching the house.
She recognized them both. They were
her father and her lover. Randolph
Chester was nowhere to be seen.
A half-hour followed. All was silent.
What was going on in the library be.
low her?
Another half-hour had passed. but
still Bertram Talbot had not left the
house.
A sudden. impulse seized her to 60
down stairs, to see Bertram once again,
and in her fathers presence, promise
to be true to him, though their separa-
ton was eternal. She was nc coward,
and beside Bertram she might, indeed,
be brave. Swiftly she threw open the
door and fastened down the steps, but
on the threshold of the room she
paused. She could hear within angry
and excited voices.
Its a lie, Mr.. Markham" she heard
Bertram say. II never made such q
proposition to your daughter! Have I
eve lied to you, that you should doubt
me? Will you not rather doubt 6ne
who brings to o a tale so infamous?
At least, you will let me see Beatrice
again?"
Never! You shall never look upon
her face! Whatever money you need I
will give you. I offered you money once
before. but only across my dead body
shall you reach my child!"
Money and insult-you are generous
with both, MI. Markham. Perhaps one
day you will regret that you were so
But as for Beatrice"
Beatrice is here to speak for her.
SELF" answered a voice. as the door was
flung open, and a vision, lovely to both
mems eyes, stood confronting them.
White with anger. Donald Markham
took one hasty step forward, but she
checked him with an imperious gesture,
:. s.tsol R~.o .o~,1- rmn,s.a 49,.