The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-06-22
CllAPTEI. XXI.

But wretchedness rarely kills. When
it falls, a crushing weight upon the un-
prepared victim, 1t stuns at times; but
they live on to suffer and to bear.
So it was with Beatrice. Scarce had
they led Talbot from the room than
she opened wide her great gray eye to
fullest consciousness Of all the sad and
bitter truth.
Cora was bending by her side, sob
bling loudly.
Ill did it ALI" she cried. Beatrice.
Beatrice, forgive met"
Coral" exclaimed Mrs. Layton,
sternly, while Randolph Chester, stoop-
ing over her, whispered, Coral"
But, for the first time his voice failed
to influence her. The spell which had
bound her was broken.
I'll promised to mail her letter to
her lover. She Entrusted it to me-" she
cried, in bitter, self-reproach. springing
to her feet and standing facing them
all. "He-he asked me for 1t, and I
gave it up to him; but, oh, I lie not
believe he could be so cruel or so WICK
ed! Beatrice, will you ever, ever Tor
give me?"
Unassisted, Beatrice had half-lifted
herself, and was lifting her head
against the cushioned seat of h chair
from which, a few moments before, she
had risen.
Randolph Chester held out his ham
to assist her further. She YEARLY re-
tected it, but without scorn or spirit.
1t seemed to her that hope, indeed, was
,--a D.a- 14.o l.n1 ho%ro HyoH har- On
all sides she might be surrounded only
by enemies. Her glance to-
ward Allen Layton. He stood. pale
and silent, and beside him his be-
trothed, a smile of triumph on her face,
which matched that of her host.
In that instant Beatrice knew that
her cousin Randolph was no more bit
ter a foe to her happiness than was this
girl.
MAY I ask you all to leave me alone
with Miss Markham" asked Chester.
II have some words only her ears
hear"
One by one they obeyed his wish.
Layton fingered last.
"Shall we leave you. Miss Markham
he questioned, with gentle courtesy.
'Yes-go. Nothing matters now"
Beatrice" said Chester, perhaps
YOU understand now how useless 1t Is
to plot against me. Tonight your low
err sleeps in a cell. Tomorrow he will
be carried back to the Tombs to await
his trial. OF his conviction there can
be no doubt, as there is no doubt OF MS
guilt. You are in my poWer-the power
YOU have alike defied and trampled up
on. I strove to how you mercy, out
you rejected it.. Now, listen to me. ~
give you three days for your decision.
Within that time you will be my wite'
or the doors Of a private
shall open to- receive you, and you snail
never come forth from its retreat.
am willing still to forget the past, pro-:
vided that you will even yet be eason
able; but defy me yet, and sWear 70
you that / will make my threat no idle
one. No; do not answer me tonight.
Tomorrow I will take your answer az
my Christmas gift. Look to 1t that It
1t q fitting one! May I assist you %
your room?" 3a t59.' jss
"Do not touch mel" she said. shud-
dering.
And her bitter aversion helped her to
drag herself to her feet and away from
the hated presence to the shelter and.
the solitude. Of her WI room.
she could not think. In anticipation
she seemed only to hear mad Laughter,
and, closing her eyes, to e mad faces
grinning at her from the darkness.
These were the sights and sounds
amid which all her future life must be
SPENT, A madhouse! For, as to the
other alternative-ah, q madhouse was
less terrible than that!
The morning broke and found her
MISUNDERSTANDING the quiet, peaceful
sleep Of q little child. SO criminals
have been known to sleepson the v 81
execution
SIT Is indicate to stay here another.
day., said Mrs. Layton to her son. as
he entered the ROOM. next smorning.s
where his mother and Misc Llorriinnaer4
were holding an eager sdiscuasioyp.s
edith agrees with me that We should
go at once y
.Edith agrees with you 4, be said
sternly. ..Then i. do not If Edith sees
at to 90, she must go;d but this young
girl cannot he abandoned tnhher terri
Bile distress, .SS
Abandoned, Alien? What anfEidsA1.
exclaimed his betrothed. gfshe - lnders
the care of herYcoHsinsan 9guardtehs
mir his patience ha4 bsen S6mESe-i
tfing snperhnman. Really.ssAllen,S
shall begin sthat you \ @ I'D
nana-sul ssslnaa.' NJ e. 1hlla a tsl,l.