The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-06-01
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 its 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. ... Ts
Suddenly he heard a football in the
hall. Instinctively, he uttered q 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
ther behind the curtains.
Beatrice stood on the threshold be-
tween the two rooms, a look of proud
defiance on her lovely face; but when
she recognized who was the intruder,
it vanished, and a smile took its 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 holly, as if her
beauty ever presented itself to him as
a new and growing revelation.
I'VE are mutually surprised" h
said. in a low voice.
II could not sleep, and came down
stairs to find a book" he replied. Il
was thinking Of you, Miss Markham.
Why did you leave us Immediately at.
ter dinner to-day?" ~
you inquire into an insane girls
freak?" she asked.
ooh, hush-be silent!" he pleaded.
Then, coming quickly forward, he
caught both her hands in his" I 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. FIe felt that she
was in bitter trouble, whose nature he
could not comprehend, but whatever IL
might be, he lo4ged only in some way
t o tighten it. "Have you forgotten that
promise?" he continued; cor will you
not ask me to redeem 1t? If I 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 it 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 It not true? Surely, you
do no doubt his honor! Better my
sanity than that"
And she laughed q little, low, mock
ing laugh that made Layton's blood
run cold in his veins.
Why did she talk like this? Why did
she seem 50 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 lesi
| which then had thrilled him-thrilled
him now.
st is you who doubt" he said, '.no,
T. Tell me what you will; leave untolG
| all that you will, only say to me. i an
not mad, and need your help and
will lay my very life at your service
The curtains moved. The mans fac.
behind them had grown white, and hi.
| teeth. were set.
eyes, I doubt you,' = she replied. "wh!
should you do this for me? VIII,
| should you not prove Randolph Chea
l5ter's emissary? He tells you I an
mad, and you believe him. Indeed
why should you not? What am I Il
your life that you should take passinl
notice Of my fate?"
"What are you In my lifeg" he re
peated. after her-her coldnesss tortur
inr rim into confession Of his owl
rnadness, s.You are4only Whist you hay
i been from the hrst moment 4 lifted 30
IL MY arms and looked down on IL