Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-05-09
story before, and differently told. I am

sorry spoke of it. IT,
But the effort at self-repression was
too great. Her voice trembled and
broke. She burst into bitter weeping.
sobs shook her frame, while Cora's
arms clasped themselves about her,
and she strove in every way to sOothe
her.
Gradually the storm of pent-up emo
ton spent itself.
Promise me, Cora, to say nothing
of what has happened. Some day, my
dear, I will explain it to you. 1 cam
not now. Neither can I go with you
to Grey Oaks. You will leave me here"
mo, no; you are to go to. 1t was
all arranged at dinner. And Mr.. Ches-
ter, particularly, invited you. He could
not remember your name, but he said
that you must. come. How very, very
handsome he is, Miss Montrose! Do
you know, think if he told me to do
anything in the wide world, should
feel had to obey him. When he talks
1 Shut my eyes, and his voice sounds
like low music"
She spoke with child's innocence,
but Beatrice glanced up, startled, into
the sweet, childish face, which the
faint crimson blood was flushing into
warmth.
What new danger was this which
threatened, not her, but a charge she
had assumed and considered sacred?
Could she, in the light Of this new
knowledge, let her remain for two
weeks or longer, under this subtle In
fluence, without her counteracting
power? Besides, might not her refusal
to go to Grey Oaks excite suspicion. a
There was another reason, too, foI
her acceptance. Twenty-four hours
before she had had dream. She fan
cied herself once more in the library at
Grey Oaks. She was alone in the
room, and sat, leaning back in an arm
chair and looking out through the open
windows on to the rustling leaves Of
the old oaks.
Suddenly, the rustling seemed to
shape itself into words, at first low and
indstinct then growing louder and
louder:
"Beatrice-the will-the papers-you
will find-are secret! Beatrice-the Will
the papers-you will find-the secret
the secret"
Over and over again the leaves muir
INJURED these words, until they were IN
delibly impressed upon her brain.
They had been the. last words spoken
to her by her father; but in all the ex-
element and subsequent misery Of
that terrible time, they had taken no
definite shape of meaning.
She heard them now, as though TOT
the first time; and as she listened,
glancing up, she saw, standing framed
by the French window, her fathers
form. A look of infinite love and in
nate pity was in his dear eyes. She
would have sprung to meet and greet
him; but she was powerless to stir.
Slowly, as she let her hungry, yearn-
ing gaze rest on him, he lifted his right
hand and pointed to small music
room, beyond which there was
guest chamber.
1.-The will-the papers--the secret!
the leaves rustled again, and then the
dream ended-the vision vanished.
Had it been sent to her for naught!
She believed not. Away from Grey
Oaks. what could she do to prove her
right? The will, the papers We're I'M
found. 1t remained for her to find
them.
Cora" she said, con one condition.
I will go with you. Promise me that
no word shall transpire of the CONVEX
sation which has taken place between
US tonight, further than that you re-
peated to me Mr.. Chester's very pollte
invita- ton to make one of your party
and that accept it.
1T promise!" answered the girl. de-
lightedly; and, with a warm embrace
left her to carry the good news to their
future host.