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

70 the portals OF the grave
For the last two weeks only she had
been conscious OF what was passing
about her, but neither her fathers nor
Bertram's name had escaped her lips.
She lay upon her pillows with eyes
closed. or widely open and staring into
vacancy, through all the long hours.
Mechanically she tasted the food and
swallowed the medicine her attendants
brought her. She shed no tears, but
grief had set its impress upon that
lovely young face, and needed no In.
mentation 20 proclaim it's presence.
For the first time to-day she reused
herself from her apathy of weakness
and suffering as the physician entered
her chamber.
II have been trying to think doc
tor" she said. and all is slowly COM
ing back to me-all, al that happened
On the night papa died. No, do not stop
me: let me talk! The thoughts keep
burning. burning inside me, and I shall
be better when / know that some Of
them are the fancies born OF my deIiri-
UNI! 1t seems TO me that some one
called Bertram Talbot a thief-some
one said that he had robbed papa!
" NNAAt A1iAi, AONAOls Vi va II
TRUTH"
child. What matters it? Be assured
that IL IL be true that justice viii be
done the evil-doer."
True" she gasped. You mean II
in reality Bertram stole papa's money?
Do you not know. doctor, it would be
for him as impossible as for me? I
would as soon have touched papa's gold
as he. But IL is true. then. tina he has
been accused Of his frightful thing?
Oh. / did not think / could have
dreamed it. and little by little it has
been shaping itself within my brain.
Where Is he? He must come home, or
/ must see him at once, doctor-at
once.'
Calm yourself. Miss Beatrice" he
said. quietly. You will no longer wish
TO see this man when / tell you the all
your faith in him has been misplaced;
but, If innocent, as you Loyalty believe
him. he will soon be able to prove il,
and come TO you triumphant, since to-
day is set for his trial.
His trial?" she repeated. you
mean"
THAT Bertram Talbot is TO be tried
to-day for the robbery OF bonds and
papers from your fathers safe on the
night of his death. Indeed, there is lit
tie doub but that death was the result
OF his agitation on the discovery. In.
deed, there are many witnesses ( the
fact that your father was sufficiently
conscious to identify him at the thief,
and your cousin. Miss Markham, saw
him commit the robbery"
1T Is false-all false, And yet-oh,
God, they viii swear his liberty away,
and I am powerless-powerless to save
him, oh. / see il all-the plot and the
plotter. of which he and I are to be the
victims! He and T. MOI If Ii were
true. DIR. Lowell, have I no right In this
matter? Who should prosecute him If
not /? What right have these outsid-
ers to step in and take my place? But
it is a LEA false, foul leland I must
prove it, / am not a weak, helpless
girl. This has made me a woman, 1
have money! All. I can thank God for
it now, since. with IL, i can protect
myself and him! Is Randolph Chester
mad. that he dares thus defy me? / am
strong. doctor. This event has BAN
ished my weakness and given me back
my strength You say this trial-this
mockery of justice-takes place to-day?
Then they shall have an unexpected
witness. for I will be present at the
trial.'
"You," gasped the doctor, believing
he. indeed, had a mad woman TO deal
with. MY child. I cannot permit you
further to excite yourself. I told you
all the truth, believing you would un-
derstand, then. why you wish to see
Mr.. Talbot could not be granted. and
so grow calmer."
But, sadly. Beatrice shook her head.
II must attend this trial doctor.
or lose my life in the attempt. Do not
seek to thwart me. You do but drain
further by such a course the strength
Of which I stand in so great need. You
must go with me. doctor. or I will go
alone, But Bertram Talbot shall not
think at such a time I have deserted
him.
He viii not think so, Miss Beatrice.
He already knows that you are Ill. /
will be your messenger TO him. Give
me what message you will, and / swear
TO deliver il faithfully"
81 must go, doctor" she said. firmly.
DO YOU uOl see tudl inAS CculE ulClOh
is more harmful TO me han granting
me my own will? Besides, my life is
my own, 70 do with now as i Will I
would lose il for Berries sake than live
on, knowing i might have averted this
most cruel wrong. Send Marie TO me.
please; order the carriage. doctor, for
the midnight train, Quick! There Is
no time to lose,'
The noon recess was over. and the
Judge had resumed his seat. The court
room was crowded. and the GREATNESS
silence which Prevailed during the
taking of the testimony showed hat a
trial Of widespread interest was taking
place.
A young and handsome man occupied
the prisoners place in h dock.
There was an open. frank o OF his
face which beiied the possibility Of any
crime.
The great brown eyes. fringed with
dark lashes. looked fearlessly out upon
his
The morning session had teen occu-