Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-07-04

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natural, but, in reality, 1t was simple
enough, only it was a conference now
| of four. instead of two, and strength
lay in their numbers.
you are not deceiving me?" asked
Beatrice. ooh, then, I'm not alone-not
| friendless. not deserted, both by God
and mani"
eyes. I will help you. Beatrice. and
| heaven has opened to me the way. I
have heard ALL. have felt myself
| guilty of no ignoble eavesdropping. for
listened devoted to your cause. deter
| mined to defend you, should need arise.
and protect you in any case. Listen,
| dear child! Two nights ago the hot air
| of the house stif1ed me, and I had gone
| out for little walk in the grounds. I
was about returning. when saw the
| figure of man drop from one of the
windows of my room. was but few
feet distant from him. but the dark
ness wholly concealed me. although the
light from within enabled me to distin-
guish him as he CROPPED his way along
the shadow of the wall. Suddenly 1
saw him stop; I saw him thrust his
arm into an aperture. and 1 believed
that there he had concealed his booty.
was about to raise an alarm. but
something-I ascribe it to Providence
checked the impulse. I determined In
stead to follow and be able to identify
the man-to discover if he was one in
the hired service of my host. tracked
him to the lodge. I saw him enter and
as he opened the door and the light
streamed upon his face. I fully recog-
nized him. then returned to the spot
he had just left. I found the aperture;
I found the papers. Fear nothing;
have them still"
Hitherto there had been no interrupt
ton to his story; but now Beatrice's
sobs burst out thick and fast.
The withes of the cruel web were still
about her wings, but she fancied the
shadow from the sunlight of her deliv-
erer was falling about her and be-
tokened the latter close at hand. She
was shivering in her rich furs, and the
air blew keen and chill.
"Hush, dear!" said Layton, gently.
"Let me go on. There is little more to
tell. felt prompted to carry the pack
age to my host, but, somehow, I could
not do it. You had inspired me with
your listrust! They, at least, are safe
in my possession, and I deemed it wis
est to await events. Thank God that
did! This afternoon I saw Randolph
Chester and talked with him. I told
him that I believed he was dealing
falsely with you, and that if I could
prove it he must answer to me! or
course, the bond of friendship between
us was forever broken by my words.
He smiled and defied me. After leav-
ing him I looked over the package to
see what the contents might relate. and
judge of my future action concerning
them. One paper. Beatrice, is the will
Of your father. That have not read;
it's seals are unbroken. One Is the GER
tificate of your parents marriage-the
death certificate of your mothers form
err husband. one year before your father
met her. and the certificate of your own
birth My child, you have nothing more
to fear from the dead ashes Of an hon
ored and an honorable past!"
Beatrice now had hushed her sobs.
No one saw her face in the darkness,
but it was illumined with the light and
gladness Of an Incompatible ecstasy.
She sank upon the cold, bare ground
upon her knees and clasped her hands
in reverence.
''Thank God! thank Cod"
Gently Layton lifted her and threw
his arm about her for support.
II have plan to propose" said the
stranger among them; and again his
voice was the voice of the old man.
They gathered about him and heard
him to the end.
do you consent, Miss Markham" he
asked, when he had ended.
eyes," she answered.
care you strong enough?" asked
Allen, anxiously.
"Strong enough" she answered.
"Now-now do you think that my
strength will fail me? Now, when I
look back and thank God that may
whisper my sainted mothers name
without tremor and without blush!
Besides"
''Hush!" pleaded Layton. even the
cir must not suspect US. Come-you
may be missed"
At the entrance door she paused, and
as his head was bowed, he felt her kiss
upon his hand.
"Such men as you," she whispered
low, redeem the world"
''Such men as II" he thought, sadly,
as he retraced his steps to where the
others were awaiting him. yet had
not strength to let her utter his name
the name Of the man to whom 1 must
forever resign her, and my own happi-
ness. Beatrice, my love, my love!"
But this time the cry was not the cry
Of ecstasy, but the wall of bitter an
guish-a strong mans agony, and the
supreme sacrifice Of noble life.
CHAPTER XXXyII.
In her own room Beatrice once more
awaited Randolph Chester's coming.