Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-04-04
CHAPTER v. (Contiuued.)

with her, a poor obscure girl, with
only her fortune in her face and voice,
Such strides did his passion make that
he was ready to offer her even his
name: but when, in the madness of his
love, he asked her to become his wife,
he learned of an unexpected and in
surnc ountable obstacle.
"She already was a wife, Married
at sixteen. by her parents, to coarse,
rough man, who treated her cruelty.
and whom she feared and disliked; her
life for three years had been only
wretchedress.
you can foresee the result. Mar
riage was impossible between them;
but in this country nothing was known
in Florence on the day of her debut,
pected. Therefore. they agreed that
they should put the past behind them,
and find mutual heaven in each
others love.
"They left Florence at once-left in
such a way that she might not be trac-
ed. He brought her to his own coun-
try. his own home. He presented her
to his friends as his Wife.
"A year later Beatrice was born. and
her mothers life paid the forfeit. Does
my story surprise you. Mr.. Arnold?"
Tt surprises and shocks me. sir, be-
yond all words. But. l should be in
clined to impugn it. 1t seems incred
ible that in all these years. I should
have believed myself in your cou-
sins confidence, and yet that this
page in his history should have been
wholly shut out from my view. But
my God!" he, exclaimed, as the dawn
ing Of a new idea penetrated his legal
brain, "if this be true, in the absence
of any will you, and not Miss Mark
ham, are the legal heir"
Yes assented Mr.. Chester, with
an air of WEAKNESS, through his lids
dropped for an instant over the black
glittering eyes, to hide their flash of
triumph. Eyes; but what matters
that since Beatrice is to be my wife?
Knowing my deep attachment for her,
my cousin confided to me this history.
He felt it justice to me to tell me all
the truth. I need not say it made
no difference in my purpose to win
her for my wife. OF course, supposed
the property would pass her will. Fail
ing this, I shall urge our marriage to
take place at once. Once my wife, I
remain in ignorance of the facts, and
to permit her to inherit all undisputed
by me-
This is very generous action on
your part. Mr.. Chester, but I can we'll
understand your wish to shield Miss
Markham from this sad knowledge at
any sacrifice. Have you any proofs
to support the statements you have
Just made to me?"
Proofs repeated Chester, with a
half-sad, half-mocking smile. cit is
scarcely my side of the story which
requires proof. If my Cousins mar
riage had ever been legalized there
would be abundant proof readily pro-
cured. Where is his marriage license
his marriage certificate? Among his
papers we have found nothing. Yet
you know how singularly methodical
q man he was"
Il know know" assented the law
ger, thoughtfully; but may not these
papers be in the same hiding place
with the missing will? However, am
andeed rejoiced there is so happy a
road out of all the difficulty. Your
marriage with Miss Markham makes
all things easy for you both, and saves
her poor girl from a knowledge more
bitter than death. 1 doubt, indeed,
whether we fully recognize Bertram
1albot's unworthiness even of her pass
ing favor. It is he, Mr.. Arnold, who
has orphaned her-he who robbed her
father, and now awaits his trial for
Int r 70 y;
viction and condemnation before Beat
rice RECEIVERS sufficiently to know what
is being done in the matter. 1t viii
only cause her new pain. She is so
proud that to feel that She had ever
granted such man a place in her
esteem would be most cruel and humil-
Eating"
There cam of course, be no doubt of
his guilt?"
Doubt? One does not doubt the ev-
idence of his own senses, Mr.. Arnold. ]
saw Bertram Talbot commit the deed
I saw him steal the papers"
And then, circumstantially, he relat-
ed the story he had told to Beatrice on
the night of her fathers death.
The lawyer listened, silently to the
end.
Poor child" he murmured, when he
had heard all. "And yet such man as
this could turn her heart for a momen,
from such a one as yourself? You
have, indeed, been generous, Mr.. Ches-
ter, and can only from my heart wish
that you may win the success that yor
so richly deserve"
Rising as he spoke, he extended his
hand, and grasped the others cordially
Randolph Chester stood a moment, as
Mr. Arnold passed out from the room
while hate, triumph and desire alter
nately swept. in their varying express
Sions, over his face.
1.-The trial is set down for next week,
ne unused. mo man at the bar pos
sesses keener legal acumen than Rich
ard Arnold. and he saw no flaw in thu
story. How should there be a flaw
Did I not see the robbery committed
Did not Tyrrell pick up the bondso Ay
Tyrrell? Dare he be trusted on tn
stand? Yes. l think SO. And then
Bertram Talbot. we will see how you
manly beauty adapts itself to the con
vict's garb! And you, my fair. prou'
1o,,c;v, Will x,n,,y lp1,a hnot r. clf u n {.