Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-06-06
xxx.

Was II the spirit of man or devil
which ha6 wrested the papers Of such
vital import to Beatrice Markham from
her hand? To her it seemed as though
a second of time had not elapsed be-
fore the two men had appeared upon
the scene. and her misfortune had, for
the moment, paralyzed her.
A full minute had gone by; a minute
which enabled the thief to steal like a
cat through the darkness, softly to open
the door leading TO the guest chamber
assigned TO Mr.. Grant, and, through
one OF the windows, drop to the ground
beneath.
The night was very cold, and a rising
wind was bowling through the bare
branches of the oaks. A pale moon had
risen, and peeped, now and then, from
great banks of wind clouds.
Close in the shadow OF the house the
man covered, as he raised himself from
the ground where he had fallen.
1t was Tyrrell, and his teeth chartered
in his head; but it was a shiver of fear,
rather than of the bitter cold.
If there'd been any light I couldn't
have one it," he muttered mot if I'd
seen her eyes! But she said these pa
pers would prove the young chaps in
nocence, and that manes-that names
as it would prove the guilty are guilty.
II it'd been gold, I'd not have stolen a
dollar Of it, It's not her gold as I'm
wanting. His innocence. Ell! 1t just
seemed as If she was talking cot loud
to me in the darkness. I'd have let her
~alone-poor, pretty lamb-if she'd left
that put. Well, I've got 'em now-what
shall I do with 'em I'd go back to the
lodge and burn 'em, if the old man
wasn't up there. I'll hide 'em-aye, safe
and sound. where Tyrrel O'Byrne him.
self never'H be after finding 'em ag'in."
Five minutes later the lodge keeper
staggered into his own lodge.
The old man was sitting before the
fire. as II he had not stirred one mo-
ment from his place.
TITS a cold night" he muttered. as
an icy blast blew in through the open
door.
AYE! give me the cratur, quick"
cried Tyrrell, and he took a huge
draught from the steaming jug.
At that moment a quick step, sounded
! without; the lodge door was violently
thrown open. and. pale and breathless,
Tyrrel's master stood upon the thresh-
old.
"You dog!" ne cried, lis II thus that
you obey my orders Have you been.
absent from the lodge tonight"
ST was Ill, and couldn't lave. Mr..
Chester; beg pardon. sir"
IT don't believe 1t. There's been a
robbery committed up at the house
some important papers were stolen from
Miss Markham. She is sure you are the
thief. Come, confess, Give up the pa.
pers 10 me, and I'll say no more about
it,"
The old man by the fire cast at Tyr
rell a quick, covert glance, but the lodge
keepers face betrayed nothing.
II couldn't stale, Mr.. Chester" he
replied. I'd no dare. unless" he add
ed, with a low chuckle, "as you'd help
me OUT
Help you out, I'll help you to the
scaffold yeti But give me those pa
pers. you rascal. or I'll turn you. neck
and heels, out of my house tomorrow"
Maybe you'll think better of Il to-
morrow, Mr.. Chester. I've known we TO
Shape on your anger before. But I've
got no papers. all the same, You can
s'arch me and the house, too, and you're
welcome 10 all you can find. barring the
whisky"
Chester came closer, and, leaning his
hand on Tyrrell's shoulder, whispered
in his ear:
Give me the papers" he said. you
shall lay a thousand dollars In gold
for them"
81 can't give We what I amt got" an
swered the man, with a drunken chuck
lie.
'You fool" Numbered Chester. .To-
morrow you go,"
To the old man he v~ouchsafed neither
word nor glance, and he now strobe
out. the door clashing angriIy behind
him.