Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-06-13
CHAPTER XVIII. tContinued3


fell on the open drawer of the secret
hiding place. His face grew livid.
What does this mean?" he exclaimed
s'Merciful heaven! Can there have been
some reason in her words just now
Can a robbery have taken place."
AS he spoke. STOPPING over her, Mr.
Grant raised her from the floor, and
'half-carried her to lounge. AS he
laid her upon it he whispered:
"Silence! You are betraying your
SELF"
Beatrice could not repress a scream.
In her overwrought condition, it seemed
to her that little short of a miracle had
been effected.
She forgot all care: all prudence, as,
clinging to him. she cried aloud that he
would stay beside her.
do not leave me! Oh, do not leave
me-" she pleaded, pitifuly.
But neither acton nor words reused
in Chester's mind suspicion. They APP
peared to him but the counterpoise to
her feeling of aversion against himself.
Besides. now but one sentiment alb
sorbed him.
What had the empty drawer con-
tanned. and where had it's contents
flown? Had Beatrice, indeed, discov-
cred the missing will? And if so, who
was it who at this moment shared her
discovery? 1t behooved him. indeed, to
knowAnd ascertain this fact.
Beatrice" he said. calming himself
to use the old, persuasive tone, for
give me if, a moment ago, l was harsh,
But tell me what has happened. Have
you indeed, been robbed?"
"Caution!" whispered Bertie's voice
again.
But it's accents reached her ear alone
To-morrow-give me until to-mor-
row, and will tell you. Tonight can
mot talk"
But you were robbed?'
II found some papers in the desk. and
In the darkness some one snatched
them from me. 1 thought that it was
you"
The ashen pallor deepened on Ches-
ter's face.
wait here" he said. 81 will return y
"Bertie!" whispered Beatrice, in low
Is indeed you?"
Eyes, my darling-yes." answered the
$50. called Mr.. Grant. ''Is my disguise,
0nCeeE, So perfect.
"Your disguise so perfect and my des-
pai'' so hopeless! Oh. BERTHE, why have
you not come before?"
because, my love, until your letter
reached me, 1 knew not where You
were. My anxiety concerning you was
too great to admit even the effort neces-
sary to the tracing of this fox to the
earth. But were you. indeed, robbed
tonight, Beatrice? Tell, me quickly,
dear"
Eyes. I had just opened the secret
drawer. I only discovered it's existence
this afternoon. q. All, BERTHE, if I had
this afternoon. All, BERTHE, if I had
known then that the desk was to be
made your property, all this might have
been saved"
Il tried to give you some word, some
hint, but dared not risk discovery. AS
it vas. hoped that you would under
stand"
"No; I was blind. MY misery blind
ed me to all else. And then the wild,
mad hope that had discovered the pa
pers that meant to us both so much, so
Idazzled me that I could see nothing
nothing. But I had only clutched my
treasure tight, when, in the darkness.
some one stole upon me from behind
and snatched it from me. The next in
stant-so it seemed to me-the room
was flooded with light, and you and
Randolph Chester were standing looE-
ing at me. In that moment, BERTHE, 1
understood the feeling which prompts
men to murder. 1 thought that it was
he who was the thief
mo; for 1 followed him directly from
the drawing room. 1t will be a bitter
fight between us as to who shall discov-
er the thief and regain possession of the
papers. Meanwhile, dear. I am on his
track. Night and day, follow like the
and every hour, every minute, I am
nearing the goal. Yet one false step
would ruin ALI Are you sure, Beat
rice, that you are now strong enough
not to betray us by word or glance?"
"Ah, BERTHE, to know you are near
gives me back all my lost strength!
you need no longer fear for me. 1t was
only when 1 felt myself alone-only in
the moments when it. seemed to me that
the shadow of death lay like an eternal
wall Of separation between us-that my
strength and courage alike entirely for
sock me-"
Listen, then, dear. and will tell you
my plans. L"
He paused.
A step sounded in the room beyond;
rustic of silken skirts was heard. The
next instant Miss Lorrimer entered the
room.
"Mr. Grant," she exclaimed, 'you
have forsaken us! The tree has reached
point where your taste is absolutely
essential to it's further progress
You have not seen it. Miss Mark
ham, he said, rising as he spoke.
''W:ll you not lend us the benefit OF
= your taste, as well?"
To Miss Lorrmer's surprise, Beatrice
asserting laid her hand upon his arm
Has she fascinated him, too?" she
thought.
Half an hour later she saw him write
on a sheet he had torn from his note
book, few words.
You would give me no commissions
to-day, Miss Markham" he said. MAY
i give you some for tomorrow though
they will not demand a trip to the
cty?"