The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-04-13


I am but a nameless ~outcast, then I ac-
cept my lot. All my life, then, I have
worn a mask?. Well, I shall wear one
40 longer. The world shall know me
as I amt"
But h dead, B~eatrice-must they
suffer, too? Remember hat here no
one knows your mothers story. Will
you blazon it to the world? viii you
proclaim aloud hat the name engraved
upon her tomb is a lie, and never be-
longed to her who sleeps so quietly be-
meath 1t? My child, I do not ask your
love at once. I only ask for you faith,
your loyalty, leaving it to time to win
the rest!"
ITO time!" she echoed. what is
time? How do we it? Do
you imagine that an eternity has no,
already been lived by me since you en-
tered this room, and. standing in one
spot, have robbed me Of light and air
and life? nave stolen faith and asked
for faith? have made loyalty a mock
cry, and asked for loyalty? Come,
prove to me how Bertram Talbot is the
thief you have declared him!-prove to
me that you are an honest man! The
world is upside down to-day. Do not
leave of my old life one stone upon an
other!"
And she ended in a bitter, knocking
laugh.
Beatrice, have you no pity on your
self or me?" he answered, gently. "We
will not speak of Bertram Talbot here,
but If you will exercise your reason it
soon will satisfy you of his guilt. Be
atrice, I saw him steal the notes and
papers from the safe! But you think
me so low as to swear falsely to this
fact! Let this pass; If my love were
less, I could not forgive it. AS it is, I
remember only that you are blinded
by grief and passion, and also that you
stand in need OF my love and my pro-
lection. Neither shall fail you, Beat
rice, in this supreme moment Of our
lives. You are nameless. Take my
name. Live on in the old house, be-
meath whose roof you were born, and
of happy laughter from children's
voices"
"Nameless!" she repeated, YEARLY.
Eyes, I am nameless. Oh, papa come
back and refute this cruel lie! And
here I listen, as If I believed 1t. You
spoke, a while ago., Of proof, Randolph
Chester. Where is your proof? Show
it to mel"
''Nay, Beatrice-where is yours4
Where is the paper that will certify to
your mothers marriage4 You do not
even know the Italian own in which
it took place. We have searched ev-
erywhere among your fathers papers.
Nothing can be found"
T. but We can send agents to Italy.
We will have no trouble then in dis
covering the truth"
"None. But the truth is as I state it.
Doubtless you will find many to recall
the elopement forgive me, Beatrice,
but so they will name it) Of the singer
and the handsome young American
signor. Then what will be the result
Of the inquiry? You throw your secret
the secret of your fathers dishonor,
your mothers shame-to be devoured
by the hungry horde, as you throw a
bone among a set Of snarling dogs.
My darling, forget all that I have said
except that 1t better proves my love.
Be my wife. and forever will be 81
fenced the tongue Of scandal, and your
parents may sleep u~ntroubled in their
graves"
Leave mel" she said; but from her
voice all hope, all youth had vanished.
II stand between two yawning CULTS
of open fire. In either one or other I
must plunge. Leave me to decide which
1t shall bel"
And she sank back, white and mute,
upon her pillows.
He threw toward her one rapid
glance, then silently obeyed her.
The door closed upon him. In the
same instant the mask fell from his
face.
Forked lightning flashed from his
eyes; his thin lips worked convulsive-
ly.
"You shall pay dearly. my lady, for
every word!" he muttered between his
teeth. "Nor shall one be forgotten
one insult overlooked. I love you-yes.
Beatrice Markham, I love you-but
better for you did I hate you with a
deadly hate!"