Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-03-21
CHAPTER IN.

iA1@AA 90 as pNhANEN NA
obeyed. No one interfered as Talbot
lifted in his arms the lovely, senseless
form. and bore her tenderly to the
couch. upon which he laid her, chafng
her cold hands and moistening with
water her pale lips.
Tyrrel. meantime. had slipped from
the room and reused the sleeping house
hold.
came. awe-struck, into the presence OF
death. Thus reinforced, Chester recov-
cred himself.
He beckoned Tyrrel to him, and whis-
pered a few words in his ear. The man
listened with an expression of wonder
ment and fear, hen disappeared, and
soon on the silent night was heard
adown the drive the swift gallop of a
horses hoofs.
A grim smile wreathed his lips as he
caught the sound. He could afford to
act now, and, pointing to Talbot as he
bent over Beatrice. he made a silent
command that they should seize and
overpower him.
Absorbed in his care Of her, he had
forgotten their presence, until both
arms were caught from behind. and he
found himself in the sturdy grasp OF
three strong men. One of them tore
from the window it's fastening, and
bound 1t about his wrists.
He stood there, fettered and helpless,
and Beatrice lay, unconscious of his de-
graduation. One desperate effort he
made to free himself. Then he saw its
uselessness and forced himself to be
calm: but the countenance of the les
bore no more CHASTITY pallor than his
own, when Randolph Chester ap-
preached the couch and, lifting the
senseless burden he had deposited there,
bore il from his sight and from the
room.
Nor did he return for full an hour,
and hen Tyrrel's errand was explained,
for with him were two officers Of the
law.
He pointed to Talbot.
There Is your man." he said. and
though he strove to give his voice the
accent of calm and sorrow, il held the
ring OF his triumph and rejoicing. I'VE
can prove him a thief" he continued.
His own soul brands him assassin.
since the excitement of this nights
work has ended my cousins life"
AZ v app ia
, Talbot made no resistance as each laid
a hand iron his shoulder. 1t seemed to
him as though he were living some ter
rible nightmare: but, as he passed
Chester in their custody. he fixed his
burning eyes full upon his face.
Coward and perjurer!" he said. in
low, trenchant ones. "Oue day we
shall have a heavy debt to settle. you
and I--nor may you hope to escape its
payment"
Then, in silence, he permitted them to
lead him from the room and the house.
1t was long ere Beatrice walked from
her swoon; and when, at last, the beau
tiful eyes slowly Enclosed, and a long,
fiuttering sigh heralded her return to
life and consciousness, It formed itself
into Bertram's name.
But only the physician, whom Tyrrell
had summoned together with the off,
GERS Of the law, bent over her in re-
Spouse.
Calm yourself, my child, and try to
Sleep"
His voice but reused her further. She
raised her head from her pillow.
Send Bertram to met she said, i'm
perativeiy.
The doctor. misunderstanding her
command. and knowing that any oppo-
sition in her present state would be
hurtful, beckoned her maid. who stood
weeping by the window. to approach,
and whispered a few words in her ear.
The girl hesitated an instant, then
FASTENED from the room.
II have sent for him, lear child" said
the physician, soothingly. But when
ne m you must not talk"
"Papa?" she murmured, as II still
trying to clear her brain OF some linger-
ing doubts. III was ill-he Is better?"
He Is out Of pain. my child"
The answer seemed to satisfy her.
She turned her head toward the door,
and fixed her great. dark Eyes upon IL.
At last it was opened. but it was Ran
dolph Chester who entered.
His face was very pale and his mouth
twitched nervously; but he struggled
hard to appear at ease.
Beatrice sirank away at sight OF him,
an awful scorn playing In her eyes.
Sudden strength seemed TO come to
her. as though born Of hate. Memory
asserted itself. The scene in the librar,
returned to her.
She remembered that her father was
dead; he remembered that he had
been robbed.
There was a faint memory, too, that
in some way Bertram Talbot had been
connected with the robbery.
Il sent for Bertram. not you" she
said. in tones which evidenced the ef-
fort 1t cost her even to address him.
Where is he? Why does he not Gomez
"Bertram Talbot Is in JAIL he an
swered. bitterly. do you still wish to
see b thief. the mar at whose door
lies your fathers death?"
I'm jain" she repeated. In a low
whisper, striving by her repetition Of
the words TO better realize their i'm
port.
To her excited fancy Jail meant stone
walls and stone floors. with a wretched
pallet to lie upon and bread and water
for food; and to such a place her lover
had been taken and accused Of such a
crime.
Coward" she exclaimed, raising
hprSalf fropn bar rifgo- an1 Evtrx na~