Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-04-18
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
Not until another hour lad passed
did Beatrice venture to uplift the
lounge. and whisper to her lover tina
the road was free for his escape.
my brave darling!' he exclaimed.
'you have saved me, that i. In turn.
might save you from the power of that
dastsrdly villain. How can / leave you
here? Are you sure, my love. that you
will be strong enough to resist his
machinations-his toils?'
1.-THE memory of this night will give
me strength she answered. Besides.
BERTHE. you have restored to me my
faith in my fathers honor, my moth
er's purity and my right to my own
name. Yet that faith must be proven
before the world. With such an in
c%entive, can I let any obstacle weak
ness may impose be a stumbling block
to my feet? No! They may be bruised.
and torn and bleeding. but they will
ever press on to the goal where you
and I. dear. are to meet"
my noble girl. 1 will not fear for
you and always. though months
should pass. and / should give no sign,
remember that / am not far off. This
man Is playing a desperate game. He
hal tied my hands at h very outset.
20 far as open warfare Is concerned:
but I will meet him with his own cum
ming. We play for the same stake. We
battle for the same prize. II neces-
sary, I will borrow his weapons. Cum
ming alone can meet cunning. / dare
trust my cause TO no man but myself.
Only, my darling. If most unexpected
iy ct times you should find me near you
when you imagine me far away. be
very careful that you do not let sur
prise master you; that you do not be-
tray US both by an i~ncautious word or
glance. BE ever prepared-eyer watch
full"
1T will, Bertie-I will. But you must
not lose another moment here. My
door is unfastened. At any moment
Randolph may return. II he should
find you, all would be lost. Go, dar-
ling. and may my love, which goes
with you wrap itself around you In
links of steel. against which, by day
or by night, sleeping or waking. the
weapons of -FOUR enemies will find
themselves foiled and blunted."
With rare unreserve, she threw her
arms about his neck as she spoke. and
OF her own sweet accord. lifted to his
her fragrant lips.
He stopped to meet them.
MY love. my lovei" he whispered,
low. as he strained her close to his
heart.
For a moment the world was forgot
ten by them both. The ecstasy OF
loves passion enchanted them. Past
and future alike here merged in the ex-
quisite and intoxicating present.
Goodnight" she murmured.
'sGood- night" he answered, once
more catching her TO his heart, and
raining mad kisses on her eyes, lips
and hair.
A minute later the branches of the
tree beyond her window rustled as if
some sudden breeze had moved them;
but Tyrrel's master had summoned
him from the watch, and as a dark
figure glided down it's trunk and dis
appeared in the darkness. there was no
one to question or intercept its retreat:
only a girls sob followed II as one
of the echoes of the quiet night-an
echo caught By Gods listening angels
and carried by them 10 the great white
throne as a wordless prayer.
The next morning. pale. but calm and
composed. Beatrice met her cousin at
the breakfast table. Il was the first
meal she had taken with him since her
fathers death. and, already seated. he
sprang up, surprised at her entrance.
AN unexpected honor dear Bea-
trice,'' he exclaimed. oourteousiy.
She Dent her head in silent recogni-
tion tina she heard. and moved to her
place beyond the urn.
His W face looked haggard and
gray in the clear morning light: but
its expression had lost no whit OF its
relentless and implacable resolve.
When the meal was ended, he mo-
toned the servants to withdraw.
II wish to apologize TO you, Bea-
trice," he said. when they were alone,
"for my enforced entrance into your
room last night. Knowing. however.
your infatuated belief in Bertram Tai
bots innocence, I could well imagine
you ~furthering his escape from Justice.
The result diu not warrant my zeal. but
I was evidently falsely Informed. As ]
am ready 10 forget the bitter words you
addressed to me I'm your anger. so. !
rust. you Will forgive the cause that
inspired them"
1T is so small a portion of my debt
20 you. Mr.. Chester. that we need