Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-04-18

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petty pilfering of man. Poor, little,
(, f1uttering bird! Must I leave you in
this cruel serpent's power for q little
| longer? But be brave, be strong, my
| Beatrice. and remember, though you
| lose all sight, all trace of me, am on
the Villains track, and will yet con-
front him with his villainy."
A new light stole into the lovely eyes
as She listened to the Measuring
words. A blush of shame mantled her
cheek, at the remembrance of how
short time before she had lowered on
the brink of self-destruction.
Something like horror of herself
overwhelmed her that she, for one
fleeing moment, had doubted her faith
er's honor, her mothers purity.
You are right, BERTHE" she said.
You need not fear to leave me now.
l will be strong and brave, not only for
both our sakes, but that we may wipe
away the stain from the dead. Only,
BERTHE, am poor, weak girl, and this
man is so strong and so merciless!
Take me with you, dear! Do not force
me to meet him alone!"
L cannot, I dare not take you, Beat
rice. Remember, in the laws eye am
criminal. I cannot tell you when it's
pitiless arm will be outstretched to
seize me. With you, 1 should be pow
erless to elude it's grasp AS it is, to-
night, leave with you my identity.
go out from you in disguise I hope to
make impenetrable, let it assume what
shape it will. shall be often near
you, dear, when you neither know nor
suspect it. Have faith in me, darling,
for little while, until I dare tear off
my mask and meet Randolph Chester,
as 1 have sworn, once more face to
face! My love-" his voice softened to
inexpressible tenderness, farewell! I
must say goodnight, for it is late.
God knows, my darling, when we may
meet for our good-morning; but share
my faith, that already the dawning of
that perfect day is scattering the
nights black clouds. Be strong, be
brave, my love-my love! FAREWELL"
He took her in his arms and held
her, close-strained to his heart.
When should he hold her thus again?
God alone knew-the great God who
had made of him that night His hum
BILE messenger.
Beatrice was the first to unclasp her
clinging hold and push him gently
from her.
go, Bertie!" she whispered. "You
may incur fresh danger by delay. But
stay! Have you money? Take this"
And, opening her desk, she took from
it a roll of notes.
He placed them in the breast pocket
of his coat.
'"They may serve us both, dearest"
he said. II will not refuse, like the
beggar, to receive your aims"
Again he held her in his arms, then
broke away.
The window still stood open. The
branches of the tree waved in the
night wind. But, bark! what was that
sound which mingled with it?
lie leaned over the balustrade of the
little window. A light streamed from
the room beneath and threw the shad-
ow of two men upon the grass-two
men watching and waiting.
Quietly he stole back into the room.
Beatrice" he said, II am discov-
cred. Escape is cut off by the window.
Is there no other way?"
Her lovely face paled; but there was
no longer cowardice or fear only the
light of great resolve.
Before, however, she could open her
lips to answer, a sudden knock sound
ed on her door.
"Who is there?" she called, instinct
lively, motioning Bertram to stand be-
hind her.
"It is I, Beatrice" answered her
Cousins voice. Burglars have en-
tered the house. Let me come in"
There are no burglars here" she
replied, and I can admit no one to-
night"
LET me in, Beatrice!" he persisted.
II must see and speak with your
"No one enters my room Tonight"
was the reply.
A few moments silence followed,
then the voice spoke again, but this
time the accents had lost their plead
ing, and rang out, stern and clear.
fOpen your door," it said. There
are those here who command it in the
name of the law!"
The two standing within the room
looked at each other with white lips
and despairing eyes.
There is one way left" said Ber-
tram. 'They shall not take me with
out their life or mine the Forfeit"
And he drew a pistol from his pock-
ct as he spoke.
f1uSn, 6eFtle! IL snail never come
to that" whispered Beatrice. God,
who has saved me once tonight, will
find for us another way"
Then from without rang a sterner,
harsher voice-a voice strange to their
ears:
"Open!" it called-"open in the name
of the law"
And then followed heavy blow up
on the door. 1t shivered, but stood
firm. A second followed, then third.
Another moment and those outside
would be within the room. The law
had tracked its prey. The fourth blow,
and the door, with a great crash, fell
in!
CHAPTER XII.
But with the sound of the first blow
L1 @1e oc