Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-04-11

petty pilfering of man Poor, little.
, auttering bird, Must / leave you in
this cruel se-pents power for a littI.
longerg But be brave. be strong. my
Beatrice. and remember. though you
lose all sight. all trace OF me. I am on
the villains track. and win yet con-
front him with his viIlainy."
a new light stole into the lovely eyes
as h listened 10 the Measuring
words. A blush OF shame mantled her
cheek. at h remembrance OF how
shcr a time before she had lowered On
the brink OF self-deStruction-
Something Ike horror OF herself
overwhelmed he that she. for one
fieeting moment. had doubted her faith
trs honor. her mothers purity.
You are right. Berthe" she said.
You deed not fear 10 leave me nov.
l viii be strong and brave. not only for
both u sakes. but that we may wipe
away the stain from the dead. Only,
BERTHE. | am a poor. weak girl. and this
man is so strong and so mercilessi
Take me with you dear, Do not force
me TO meet him alonel"
Il cannot. i dare not take you, Beat
rice. Remember. in the laws eye / am
a criminal / cannot tell you when its
pitiIess arm viii be outstretched to
seize me. With you. i should be pow
erless TO elude its grasp. AS IL is, to-
night, / leave with you my identity. I
go ou from you in a disguise l hope to
make impenetrable. let ii assume what
shape IL win. / shall be often near
you, dear, when you neither know nor
suspect IL. Have faith in me, darling.
for a little while, until i dare tear of
my mask and meet Randolph Chester.
as l have sworn. once more face TO
face, My love-" his voice softened TO
inexpressible tenderness. farewell! i
must say goodnight. for 1t 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 too 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.
clinging hold and push him gently
from he.
Go. Bertiei" she whispered. You
may incur fresh danger by delay. But
stay. Have you money? Take this"
And. opening her desk. she took from
1t a roll OF notes.
of his coat.
he said. II will not refuse, like the
hcw~ar 60 raansx-a x-,r uI-~-
Again he held her in his arms, then
broke away.
The window still stood open. The
brs inches of the tree waved in the
night wind. But, bark, what was that
oun which mingled with II?
lie leaned Yer 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 10 other way?"
Her lovely face paled: but there was
no longer cowardice or fear. only the
light OF a great resolve.
Before. however. she could open her
lips " dUSNtI, u SQ1Qcn htlUIh SOuNu-
ed on her door.
"Who is there?'' she called, instinct
lively. motioning Bertram TO stand be-
hind her.
1T Is I. Beatrice" answered her
cousins voice. Burglars have n
tered the house. Let me come In"
There are no burglars here" she
replied. and I can admit no n to-
night"
Let me In. Beatrice he persisted.
II must see and speak with you,"
mo one enters my room to-night!"
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.
.'Open your door:" 1t said. There
are those here who command It in the
name Of the lawi"
The two standing within the room
looked at each other with white lips
and despairing yes.
There is n way left" said Ber-
tram. .sThey shall not tax me with
out their life or mine the Forfeit"
And he drew a pistol from his pock-
ct as he spoke.
u Befue! IL snail never come
to that" whispered Beatrice. God.
who has saved me once tonight. viii
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 a heavy blow up
on the door. IT shivered, but stood
firm. A second followed. then a third.
Another moment. and those outside
would be within the roopi The law
had tracked its prey. The fourth blow,
and the door, with a great crash. fell
in!
CHAPTER xI.
Rut with the sound of the first h,ou