The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-07-06

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enough, only it was a conference now
of four. instead of two, and strength
lay in their numbers.
"You are not deceiving me?" asked
Beatrice. "Oh, then, I'm not alone-not
friendless. not deserted, both by God
and mani"
Eyes. I will help you, Beatrice. and
heaven has opened to me the way. I
have heard all. I have felt myself
guilty Of no ignoble eav~esdropping. Tor
I listened devoted to your cause. deter
mined to defend you, should need arise,
and protect you in any case. Listen,
lear child! Two nights ago the hot air
of the house stifed me, and I had gone
out for a little walk in the grounds: l
was about returning, when I saw the
figure of a man drop from one of the
windows Of my ROOM. I was but a few
feet distant from him, but the dark
ness wholly concealed me, although the
light from within enabled me to distin-
guish him Is ne CROPPED his way along
the shadow Of the wall. Suddenly l
saw him stop; I saw him thrust his
arm into an aperture, and I believed
that there he had concealed his booty.
I was about to raise an alarm, but
something-I ascribe 1t to Providence
checked the impulse. I determined IN
stead to follow and be able to identity
the man-to discover If he was one In
the hired service Of my host. l tracked
him to the lodge. I saw him enter, n
as he opened the door and the light
streamed upon his face, I fully recog-
nized him. I hen returned to the spot
he had just left. I found the aperture:
I found the papers. Fear nothing; 1
have them still" II.
Hitherto there had been no Interrupt
ton to his story; but now Beatrice's
sobs burst put thick and fast.
The withes Of the cruel web were still
about her wings, but she fancied n
shadow from the sunlight Of her deliv-
erer was falling about her and be-
tokened the latter close at hand. She
was shivering in her rich furs, n the
air blew keen and chill.
Hush, dear!" said Layton, gently.
"Let me go on. There is little more to
tell. I felt prompted to carry the pack
age to my host, but, somehow, I could
not do it. You had inspired me with
your l~istrust! They, at least, are safe
in my possession, and I deemed 1t Wis
est to await events. Thank God that I
did! This afternoon I saw Randolph
Chester, and talked with him. I told
him that I believed he was dealing
falsely with you, and that If I could
prove it he must answer to me! Of
course. the bond of friendship between
u fpreTer broken by my words.
H1Smiled III defed me. After leav-
ing him I looked over The package to
see whatsthe contents might relate. and
Judge of my future action concerning
them. One paper, Beatrice, Is the will
of your father. That I have not read;
its seals are unbroken. One Is h GER
tifcate of your parents marriage-the
death certificate Of your mother's FORM
er husband. one year before your father
met her, and the certificate Of your own
birth. My child, you have nothing more
to fear from the dead ashes of an hon
ored and an honorable past!"
Beatrice now had hushed her sobs.
No one saw her face in the darkness,
but 1t was illumined with the light and
gladness Of an Incompatible ecstasy.
She sank upon the cold. bare ground
upon her knees and clasped her hands
in reverence.
s"Thank God! thank God!"
Gently Layton lifted her and threw
his arm about her for support.
IT have a plan to propose" said n
stranger among them; and again his
voice was h voice Of the old man.
Z They gathered about him and heard
him to the end.
"Do you consent, Miss Markham" he
asked, when he had ended.
Eyes," she answered.
care you strong enough?"' asked
Allen. anxiously.
"st-ong enough" she answered.
"Now-now do you think that my
strength will fail me? Now, when, I
look back and thank God that I may
whisper my sainted mothers name
without tremor and without blush!
Besides \.
.Hush!" pleaded Layton. Even the
air must not suspect US. Come-you
may be missed"
At the entrance door she paused. and
as his head was bowed, he felt her kiss
upon his hand. Z
"such men as you.' she whispered
low, redeem the world"
'such men as II" he thought, sadly,
as he retraced his steps to where the
Others were awaiting him. yet I had
not strength to let her utter his name
the name Of the man to whom i must
forever resign her, and my own happi-
ness. Beatrice. my love, my Lowell!
But this time the cry was not the cry
Of ecstasy, but the vail Of bitter n
guish-a strong mans agony, and the
supreme sacrifice Of a noble life.
tlE.FJY EGHT aIa4Af ~ ----SfHsG@MS1 60 4