Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-05-16


gazing out on the sloping, oak-gemmed
lawn and beautifully appointed woods.
Her football, gentle as it was, dis
turbed his reverie. He turned and
came quickly toward her, his own face
flushing warm with pleasure. Never
before had he seen her but in her deep
mourning robes. This gown, only less
pure in hue than the exquisite skin.
with the lovely roses nesting at her
throat, revealed to even fuller perfec-
ton the beauty alike of face and form.
True. there were dark shadows cir
cling the eyes, and in their grey depths
was utter WEAKNESS; but it added to-
rather than detracted from her lowell.
ness.
Miss Markham" he exclaimed. in a
voice Which trembled with feeling. and
extended both his hands in greeting.
The old name sounded strangely from
his lips. 1t was a breath of the old
life.
She cast one startled glance around
the room, to find that they two We're
alone.
Here was her opportunity. She must
not lose it.
Tell me what he has told you OF
me!' she exclaimed, in low, agitated
tones, her eyes dilating, her lips quiv-
ering. Tell me what he has dared to
say! Not that I was mad? He did not
tell you that-and if he did, you knew
that it was false. OF course. you must
have known it; and so, laughing in his
face. you answered him."
Looking at her; listening to her low.
incoherently- murmured words, new
and terrible fear Smote Allen Layton's
soul.
Last night she had spoken of "a voice
from the dead.' which had hidden hel
return to Grey Oaks. To-day her whole
manner was altered, and altered i'll a
way which made her very disclaimer
the most powerful argument for it's
necessity.
Poor child!
She did not reason that her excite
ment was her own worst enemy. and
put into Randolph Chester's hands an
unexpected weapon.
You grow pale" she continued. II
have shocked and startled you. But,
oh. I hate to tell you! it is too dread
ful!-but last night, I made up my
mind to leave Grey Oaks forever. You
see, when returned here, I thought
could preserve the character I had as
sumed. I had no suspicion that Ran
dolph Chester was playing the part OF
the spider, to lure the fly into his web,
until fround myself once more within
the horrible meshes. Do you wonder 1
longed to free myself before he drew
the threads which bound me closer,
and so made it impossible? Well, I
waited until the house was quiet, and
then I stole down the stairs and into
the library. He was there, and so my
plan was foiled. And then he told me
his wicked scheme to prove me mad.
Oh, Mr.. Layton, you will be my friend
you will not let them drive me mao
through this most horrible atmosphere
of madness in which he will envelope
me?"
The very blood seemed congealing ir.
Allen Layton's veins as he listened; but
he struggled to regain his own calm.
A pang. nearer akin to misery thar,
any former experience of his life. smote
him as he looked on the young and ex-
quisitely-lovely girl, in the belief, 20
which her own words had given birth.
ing on it's throne.
IVY CLuu, Cdllll youl 2cll. llC Gil
treated "Your cousin was, indeed,
.thoughtless to breathe to you such
fear. But you must not let it trouble
you, nor must you fancy yourself. i'll
any sense, a prisoner at Grey Oaks.
You are free to come or go, as you
please
"Then let me go!" she interrupted
II would not of my own will, stay here
another hour. Oh, Mr.. Layton, you do
not know Randolph Chester as I know
him! You do not know the terrible
plot he is concocting! 1t is not that I
am not mad now which is his hope; it
is that he will drive me to madness"
She leaned forward and spoke these
last words in a whisper, her burning
eyes fixed on her companions face.
"Save me, Mr.. Layton-save me from
him and from this fate! You told me
once, so long as you lived I should not
need a friend. Oh, prove good your
promise in this, the bitterest hour of
my life!'
II will, child Will" ne answered.
And he held his words to his own soul
as ar oath.
Am I disturbing tete-a-tete?" calico
a gay voice from the doorway.
Both turned toward it.
The speaker was Miss Lorrmer, and
close behind her followed their host.
AN early riser, as usual, dear Beat.
rice! I trust you rested we'll the first
night in your old home?'
She threw him one quick glance Of
scorn vouchsafing no other reply.
He looked after her pityingly as she
crossed to one of the windows. and
stood looking out on the fair landscape
spread before her.
His question struck Layton strange
ly. He spoke as though no interview,
such as Beatrice had described to him,
had taken place. Allen felt his own
brain grow dizzy in amazing wonder
ment.
do you find insane people an inter-
esting study?" asked his betrothed. as
she slipped white, jeweled hand with
in his arm.
The question, the gesture. irritated
him strangely. Involuntarily, he shrank
from both.
Her eyes flashed; her cheeks paled.
Conscious Of his fault, and anxious to
make atonement. he devoted himself at