Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-05-30
CHAPTER XIV,

At the table, however, she paused.
listening intently. Then, as if satisfied
that she was indeed, alone, passed on
into the music room.
In the dim light he could see her
moving to and fro.
She seemed searching for something.
Standing before a tall desk, she
passed her hands over it's surface, as
though seeking some secret hiding
place.
Once or twice he started forward, as
if about to speak to her, but forced the
impulse back.
Suddenly he heard a football in the
hall. 1nstinctively, he uttered a low
note of warning.
She caught the sound, and looked ca
gerly about her, but saw nothing.
Just then the library door was again
opened, and Allen Layton entered the
room. He walked boldly toward the
lights and turned them up.
The stranger concealed himself fur
Their behind the curtains.
Beatrice stood on the threshold be-
tween the two rooms, look of proud
defiance on her lovely face; but when
it vanished, and smile took it's place.
She wore a long, loose wrapper, made
of some creamy, wooden stuff, and her
hair was loosely coiled low on the little
neck.
Aliens face flushed hotly as if her
beauty ever presented itself to him as
a new and growing revelation.
I'VE are mutually surprised" She
said. in low voice.
II could not sleep, and came down
stairs to find a book" he replied. 81
was thinking of you, Miss Markham.
Why did you leave us Immediately at.
ter dinner to-day?"
you inquire into an insane girls
f1eak?" she asked.
ooh, hush-be SILENT" he pleaded.
Tten, coming quickly forward, he
caught both her hands in his" prom
Used you once to be your FRIEND" he
said, in earnest, thrilling tones. In
stinctively, he OWNED the bitter mean
ing in the sentence she had just adj
dressed to him. His doubts concern
ing her sanity fled. He felt that She
was in bitter trouble, whose nature he
could not comprehend, but whatever il
might be. he longed only in some way
to tighten it. Have you forgotten that
promise?" he continued; cor will you
not ask me to redeem it? If can serve
you in any way-in any way-let me do
it,
"You did not know that I was mad
when you offered to be my friend" she
answered.
II do not believe 1t now" he said.
perhaps not; yet I have read, even
in your eyes, the doubt, Why should
you not believe it. Does not Randolph
Chester assert the fact? What motive
could he have for such a dastardly i'm
putation, were 1t not true? Surely, you
do not doubt his honor! Better my
sanity than that"
| And she laughed a little, low, mock
| ing laugh that made Layton's bloou
| run cold in his veins.
| Why did she talk like this? Why did
she seem so unlike the girl who had
| told him she was homeless and alone
| in the world? Yet he felt the same
| longing to make her loneliness less
which then had thrilled him-thrilled
| him now.
| lit is you who doubt" he said, mot
I. Tell me what you will; leave untold
all that you will, only say to me, I am
not mad, and need your help and
| will lay my very life at your service"
The curtains moved. The mans face
| behind them had grown white, and his
| teeth were set.
Eyes, doubt you" she replied. "Why
| should you do this for me? Why
should you not prove Randolph Ches-
| ter's emissary? He tells you 1 am
mad, and you believe him. Indeed,
why should you not? What am l in
your life that you should take passing
| notice of my fate?"
what are you in my life?" he re-
peated, after her-her GOODNESS tortur-
irg him into confession of his own
madness. ."You are only what you have
been from the first moment I lifted you
in my arms and looked down on the