Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-06-20
CHAPTRE xxxl-Contlnued.)


CHAPTRE xxxl-Contlnued)
eff so, then 1 am mad. indeed. Would
that it We're my fancy! All, Mr.. Lay
ton, you Will sooh learn the bitter
foundation on which my so-called fancy
has been built-soon stand aghast at
this mans monstrous wickedness!"
Il wonder if did right?" he ques-
toned of himself, mot to tell Chester
last night what had seen? wonder
If love binds me to the duty that I owe
my host? Yet I might further harm
her. and that I cannot do. A few days
sooner or later can work no great mis-
chief, and until then I, must keep my
own counsel!-must watch and wait.
Poor little girl! All. If she might but
rest on my heart, how gladly it would
open to receive her! But instead, there
stretches before me long, cherries
path of duty, and cold and stately Edith
Lorrimers step keeps pace with NINE
The day wore to it's close, and the
evening shadows ushered in Christmas
Eve. The Christmas tree was lighted,
with it's innumerable candles, and
tempting and beautiful gifts hung from
every bough.
Mr.. Grant had fulfilled his commits
sions well. All of the little household
had gathered in the drawing room. All
were waiting their hosts surprise.
Rarely, indeed, had Randolph Chester
been seen in so genial. so sparkling a
mood. The guest particularly honored
by his attention was Mr.. Grant.
"He knew your father years ago.
dear Beatrice" he said, when he was
but lad 1t seems strange. does it
not? But we welcome him doubly at
Grey Oaks for Cousin Donald's sake
The girl listened with a dull weight at
her heart His words meant something?
What?
She strove to throw to BERTHE glance
of warning, but she could not catch his
eye
AS they gathered about the tree Ches-
ter left the room: but almost before the
rest had missed him he was among
them.
"You promised US surprise. Mr..
Chester" said Miss Lorrimer. when
is it to be-"
''You shall not have great need of pa
tience." he replied, but first want to
tell you little story. 1t concerns my
Cousin Beatrice and myself. Suppose
you make yourselves the judges be-
tween us. On the night of her fathers
death a robbery was committed-a rob-
berry which cost his life. 1t was no
common theft nor common thief. The
man who robbed him was one whose
hand he had honored by clasping it IN
friendship, and who in return, Judas
like, betrayed him. He dared, too, to
aspire to the hand of my cousins heir
.ess, she who was betrothed to me-"
''It is false!"' interrupted Beatrice.
's'How dare you utter so base lie?"
"She was betrothed to me-" he re-
peated, quietly, and unheeding the de-
NAL; "but under the shock of the
events of this night her brain gave
way. Her former love for me became
ayersion-and to this man-this thief
this murderer-she gave her heart. He
was at once arrested and imprisoned,
but escaped. She, too, fled from my
home and protection. OF her return
you all know: but what you do mol
know is that he followed her here-he
dared penetrate in disguise beneath
the roof of the house he had desecrated.
She, poor child, in her madness. sent
him word to come to her. That word
1Sll lllO LILY AldAAo, anu L ASs ~ 6O w 49,
destination. wished to entrap the
wary plotter in the meshes Of his own
plot. Nor have failed to do So, You
all may have noticed an old man, with
bent frame, white hair and beard, work
ing in the grounds"
At these words Beatrice breathed
freer; at least he did not suspect the
truth.
"That old man is in reality young, y
continued Chester-'young and strong
and athletic. His senses are keen and
ever on the alert to escape detection;
but detection has overtaken him. We
have penetrated beneath the White
hairs, the bowed frame and the trem-
bling hands, and have learned them all
to be as false as the wrinkles which
draw his brow. Beatrice, the mask has
been snatched from Bertram Talbot
face. I have asked these friends to be
Judges between us. Will you, likewise,
consent to their verdict?'
A scornful smile wreathed her lips.
''Bertram Talbot Is not yet in your
power" she answered, nor could she re-
press the little thrill Of exultation In
her tone.
"You think not?" he responded,
mockingly, and, drawing slowly to the
side Of Mr.. Grant, laid his hand. as II,
in friendship, on his arm. What do
you advise, Mr.. Grant?" he said, some
what lowering his tone.
ITO wreak your worst!" replied Tai
Dot, an inkling of the truth breaking
upon him; but secure. even If so, In
the trusty men he had about him.
IT have done 80" replied Chester,
with sneer. II am nearly done. But
one step remains to be taken. That
step constitutes the surprise have
promised my guests. The old man has
made hasty exit froms the lodge, and
singularly enough, Grant, your two de-
tectives from New York proved his &C
complies. They, likewise, have disap-
peared. I concluded to-day to execute
my own commissions. The result is
that the state may feasteanother pris'
.oner. Bertram Talbot, alias Mr.. Grant
can you guess who it may be-"
AS he spoke the last words, the door
was flung open simultaneously with
their utterance, and three men sprane
I'D IN To- side