The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-06-15
CHAPTER xxx.

r - 0AA&AA vi N1"A$~s E' ..a
Was It the spirit of man or devil
which had wrested the papers Of such
vital import to Beatrice, Markham from
her hand? To her it seemed as though
a second of time had not elapsed be-
fore the two men had appeared upon
the scene, and her misfortune had. fol-
the moment, paralyzed her.
A full minute had gone by; a minute
which enabled the thief to steal like. q
cat through the darkness, softly to open
the door leading to the guest chamber
assigned to Mr.. Grant, and, through
n of the windows. drop to the ground
beneath.
The night was very cold, and a rising
wind was bowling through the bare
branches Of the oaks. A pale moon had
risen, and peeped. now and then, from
great banks of wind clouds.
Close in the shadow of the house the
man covered, as he raised himself from
the ground where he had fallen. q.
It was Tyrrell, and his teeth chartered
in his head; but 1t was a shiver Of fear,
rather than of the bitter cold.
sIf there'd been any light I couldn't
have done It," he muttered mot IL I'd
seen her eyes! But she said these pa
pers would prove the young chaps in
nocence, and that manes-that names
as it would prove the guilty are guilty!
If it'd been gold, I'd not have stolen q
dollar Of It! It's not her gold as I'm
wanting. His innocence. EN-! It just
seemed as IL she was talking out loud
to me in the darkness. I'd have let her
alone-poor, pretty. lamb-if she'd left
that out Well, I've got 'em now---what
shall I do with 'em I'd go back to the
lodge and burn 'em, If the old man
wasn't up there. I'll hide 'em-aye. safe
and sound, where Tyrrel O'Byrne him
self never'H be after finding 'em ag'in."
Five minutes later. the lodge keeper
staggered into his own lodge.
The old man was sitting before the
fire, as .f he had not stirred me mo-
ment from his place.
Its a cold night" he muttered, as
an icy blast blew in through the open
door.
"Aye! give me the cratur, quick!"
cried Tyrrell, and he took a. huge
draught from the steaming jug.
At that moment a quick step sounded
without; the lodge door vas violently
thrown open, and, pale and breathless,
Tyrrell's master stood upon the thresh-
old.
.'You ,dog!" he cried, sis 1t thus that
you obey my orders Have o beeh
absent from the lodge tonight"
ST was Ill, and couldn't lave. Mr..
Chester: beg pardon. sir" 81
'I don't believe 1t. There's been q
robbery committed up at the house
some important papers were stolen from
Miss Markham. She IL sure you are the
thief. Come, confess! Give up the pa
pers to nae, and I'll say no more about
sit!" Fs
The old man by the; fire cast at Tyr
rell a quick, covert glance, but the lodge
keepers face betrayed nothing.
! II couldn't stale, MI: Chester he
replied. I'D not dare, unless he add
ed. with allow chuckle, g you'd help
me OUT. q u SSs5s
.Eelp you out! ri help yous.to the
scaffold yet! But five me Those m
pers, you rascal. Or I'll turn yccNu,, neck
and heels, out Of my house sto-mprrow!
Maybe you'll think better4of tito.
morrow, Mr.. Chester. IsYeSknOwn veto
Shape on your anger before. B3ut I've
got no papers, all the same. YIOu:M$can
s.archf mesand the house. too.,yand yollsrs
welcome to3aIlsyou can Ind BARRING sthee
whisky. @aNSa@S %s#s ss m. SSss1 saSs SaS 4
Chester came closer, and.Ileaningshls
hand onsTTy,Irreli.sg shoulder wha4sppesEreed
In his EARN 81 s9f Ngssssss sA ;s BsSS.S
.Give ms the papers. heasaidds:sNss's \ ~
SHAH i asthste,asannsdi d & rae 4
s.I $3.50 E5aSaTtEgAS sxT&sfsSs SsMSSees&Fss
ssfIseansfsS III yswhsl Ei1Iin 81.
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sYouxooifesssfh undereaS CtestsssT &
oI!..sasS s Ssa ss sSs @s$as
TSShes "a IL IN yyouctM1s4eeAsHsSlttHls
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