The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-05-04
CHAPTER XIII. tContinued.)

~ Ol1y SWSSIlIS6S 1dO SOI0 lIOl1l
tmadame's manner, as she put the ques-
ton. A new expression, Earring to the
girls car, was in her tone"
She glanced quickly up. Her face,
too, had grown hard n cold. A sud
den chill ran through Beatrice's frame.
AS madame had received her story,
so would the world receive it.
T do?" she repeated. IT came, ma
dame, to ask you counsel, and appeal
ito your perfection, until I can see my
way clear to act. I remembered your
kind interest, and the promise I so
:gladly gave you when I graduated, that
I would always regard you as my
ifriend." -.se "
"Quite right, my dear-quite right;
but such a situation as this is most
unlocked for-most unexpected. II
scarcely know how to act, or what to
advise. Why should % leave your
home. Beatrice? Does you cousin drive
you from its doors without suitable pro-
vision and support? Surely, he is most
heartless!" a.
Beatrice raised her head proudly, and
4 haughtiness worth her old position as
her fathers heiress and Grey Oaks
mistress marked her manner.
II left Gerry Oaks of my w free will,
madame. The same roof could nj long
or shelter Chester Randolph and my
self. Pardon me that I erred in my ap-
peal to you."
She rose, al she spoke, to her feet, but
was compelled to stretch out hand
on the back of the sofa for support.
Madame rose, too.
TIT IN frvy1Hy corry Poofriea she
said. "But you must see, my dear, I
to my care. They cannot be guarded
too carefully against association. OF
course, this unhappy story sooner or
later, must come out; and, under the
circumstances, should I receive you, I
might be considered unworthy their
guardianship. The world is so heart
less. my dear. II am most truly sor-
ry-and-and-as your present means
are limited, o will, I am sure, allow
me to offer o a loan?"
And she drew out her purse as she
SPOKE.
For a moment the hot, red blood
dyed the GIRLS beautiful face to whom
With a superb gesture OF disdain she
checked the Frenchwoman's motion to
'unfasten h purse.
"Madame!" she said, and in her
voice rang a cold scorn which made
her listener vince.
She uttered but the one word, but II
was more eloquent than any further
speech. -.I
Then she moved toward the door.
''Your bag, my lear Beatrice" said
madame and touched the bell. "Eu-
gene, mademoiselle's bag" h order"
Cd, as the same servant appeared who
had admitted her. "You must not feel
hardly, Beatrice" she added, as he dis
appeared on his Grand. II should
have guarded you as carefully under
reverse circumstances"
But for one Beatrice did not even
hear. The words mingled with h out
open the Dor for her to pass.
Mechanically she received e the bag
from his hand; mechanically descend.
cd the steps and turned to the right,
rather than to the left; mechanically
went on, neither knowing or caring
whittier her. steps led her, until she
found herself in the midst of the brill
liant scene Fifth avenue presents to
wards the close Of a bright October
day.
She saw 1t as those who look upon a
picture or a scene upon the stage, tax
ing no part in it themselves.
She heard the light laughter bub-
billing from happy women's lips; saw
the horses drawing the luxurious car
riages in which they reclined go dash
ing past: but could not realize thai she
herself was amidst it all. She stepped
down from the curb toward the street.
An elegantly-appointed T-cart, In
which sat a young man with no COM
panion save his groom, was being rap
idly driven down the avenue, when q
warning shout rang in the air; but she
to whom it was directed neither heard
nor needed.
A moment later there was a sudden
commotion, and the crowd thfckened.
A white, lovely face, with its veil
torn from its protecting duty. lay In the
dust.
The girl had fallen directly beneath
the horses hoofs.
CHAPTER XIV.
r,,,,+,ass,y-ah ned white and soft as