Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-06-06

HIS words were scarcely heard or
needed as she strove to realize all that
her discovery might mean.
She had seen only that the drawer
held papers-papers which might prove
worthless-which prove of value great
er to her than the wealth Of all the gold
mines in the world.
She was not sufficient actress to
wholly conceal the emotion the new
born hope inspired.
A flush of the old days was on hel
cheek. light of the past in her eyes.
and the jealous eyes watching her saw
and We're troubled.
I've half mind to turn the desk
into firewood!" he said. modify, as the
sound he had heard when the drawe.
closed again required to him. Il al
ways hated the ugly thing!"
startled look of sudden fear came
into the beautiful face.
But at that moment came a welcome
interruption in a voice from the open
doorway.
Don't carry our your threat. Mr..
Chester" said Mr.. Grant, advancing in
to the room. THAT is one of the hand
soonest antiques 1 have ever seen. If
you are serious in wishing to dispose of
it, let me become it's purchaser"
IF you are serious in admiring it, let
me present it to you, rather"
You would not give this desk away.
Mr.. Chester?" Interrupted Beatrice, in
quick alarm. ut was papa's. If you
do not like it here, let me have it for
my ROOM"
"On no account, dear Beatrice" he
answered. Already. you brood too
much over the past. without surround
ing you with old objects to feed your
morbid fancy. Indeed. have about
made up my mind to furnish Grey Oaks
quite anew-not to leave stick of tim
be, of the old stuff in the house."
But this desk-give me this? Mr..
Grant will, am sure, resign the gift to
me?"
Il would. with pleasure. Miss Mark
ham," he replied; "but am inclined to
believe that Mr.. Chester is right. and
that old memories are hurtful to you.
Still, leave the decision to him. and
shall be wholly satisfied whichever way
it turns"
1.-THE desk. my dear Grant. is yours.
Give me your address. and it shall be
shipped early i'll the morning"
In the morning! There was yet the
night to act-to think! Oh. what
should she do: How gain possession of
the papers? Whom could she trust? To
rebel further against it's being sent
away might arouse suspicion, and sus-
piccion now. at any cost, she must al
lay!
How strangely-how heartlessly, too,
this stranger acted? One would have
supposed he would have generously re-
fused the gift when he had learned that
old associations had endeared it to her.
Were all the world alike?
Oh, Cod-the papers!N If she had had
but time to catch them from their hid
ing place-to conceal them within her
boson-she might have defied them all!
Time! there must yet be time! Before
the morning dawned they should be
hers!
You must come and inspect my pur-
chases." said Mr.. Grant. 1--WE must
dress the tree tonight. You Will assist
u.s. Miss Markham"
"Tha nks-no!" she answered, coldly.
"My deep mourning precludes festiv.
ity."
"When they are busy will be my OPP
portunity," she thought.
''You do not like Miss Markham. Miss
Lorrimer?" said Mr.. Grant, abruptly. to
his neighbor, as they assembled, half
hour later, at the dinner table.
She turned quickly toward him. with
flush of annoyance on her cheek.
Pardon me-" he continued, "but am
something Of mind-reader, and can
not resist the temptation to try my
power"
"she is insane. One does not give
personal liking or dislike to the mad"
You really believe in her insanity? 1
have seen no evidence of it. By the
way, Mr.. Layton appears to be greatly
interested in her. Is there any relation
ship existing between them?"
None" she answered, coldly. "Why
should you imagine it?"
But to herself she thought:
$50. even strangers notice his infatu-
alton. How shall end it? How shall
I break the spell which binds him."
Mr.. Grants thoughts. too. were busy.
but they would have read only that he
had discovered to Beatrice another en-
envy.
"You will come with us, Beatrice?"
asked Cora, as they rose from the ia
BILE.
ANU, ASdi' dHl 6Oiuts " my own
room, Cora" she added. You once did
me a favor. VIII you do me another
tonight? Why do you grow so pale?
Have they taught you to fear me?"
mo: but don't ask me to do any
thing. Beatrice! would If could be-
liev2 me, but he watches me So
"He watches you. and you fear him!
Why, Cora? Oh, my dear little friend.
don't let this cruel serpent fascinate
you. He is so wicked, so cunning. and
you suspect him so little! But you
need not hesitate to grant me this ia
vor tonight, Cora! 1t is very simple!
At O'Clock l shall be in the music
room. 1 wish a few moments-only
few moments-alone there. But they
are essential to all my future! Just at
that hour make any pretext-keep him
near you. Pomise me this-swear it,
Cora! If he watches you. he watches
me. doubly. trebly. He makes his SER
wants spies of every action. Unless
you help me in this. in some way he
will prevent me. Oh, Cora. don't re-
fuse me!'
81 will try. Beatrice-indeed, indeed,