Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-06-13
CRAPTER XXI.

CRATER XXI.
But w~retchedness rarely kills. When
1t falls, a crushing weight upon the I'M
prepared victim, it stuns at times; but
they live on TO suffer and to bear.
So il was with Beatrice. Scarce had
they led Talbot from the room h
she opened wide her great gray eyes TO
fullest consciousness of all the sad and
bitter truth.
Cora was bending by her side. Sob
bling loudly.
II did 1t ALL" she cried. Beatrice.
Beatrice, forgive mel"
Cora" 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.
IL promised to mail her letter to
her over. n Entrusted 1t to me-" she
cried, in bitter, self-reproach, ~springing
to her feet and standing facing them
all. "He-he asked me for 1t, and l
gave II up to him: but, oh, / did not
believe he could be so cruel or so wick
ed! Beatrice, will you ever, ever for
give me?"
Unassisted, Beatrice had half-lifted
herself, and was lifting her head
against the cushioned seat OF the chair
from which, a few moments before, h
had risen.
Randolph Chester held out his hand
to assist her further. She YEARLY re-
jected 1t, but without scorn or spirit.
1t seemed to her that hope, indeed, was
dead. Even Cora had betrayed her. On
ell sides she might be surrounded only
by enemies. Her glance wandered 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 must
hear"
One by one they obeyed his wish.
Layton fingered last.
shall weleave you, Miss Markham
he questioned, with gentle courtesy.
''Yes-go. Nothing matters now!"
Beatrice" said Chester, perhaps
! YOU understand now how useless it 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 or his
guilt. You are in my power-the power
YOU have alike defed and trampled up
on! I strove to show you mercy, u
you rejected 1t. Now, listen to me. 1
give YOU three days for your decision.
| Within that time you will be my wife,
or the doors OF a private madhouse
shall open TO receive you, and you shall
never come forth from its retreat. /
am willing still to forget the past. pro-
vided hat you will even yet be reason
! able: but defy me yet, and l swear to
YOU that / will make my threat no idle
/ one. No: do not answer me tonight.
Tomorrow I will take your answer as
| my Christmas gift. Look to 1t that 1t
It a fitting one! May / assist you TO
your room?"
$40 not touch me-" she said. shud-
dering.
And her bitter aversion helped her to
drag herself 10 her feet and away from
the hated presence to the shelter and
the solitude Of her own room.
She could not think. In anticipation
she seemed only TO hear mad laughter,
and, closing her eyes, to see 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. a madhouse was
less terrible than that!
The morning broke and found her
MISUNDERSTANDING the quiet, peaceful
sleep of a little child. So criminals
have been known 20 sleep on the eve OF
execution.
at Is indicate to stay here another
day," said Mrs. Layton TO her son, as
he entered the room. next morning,
where his mother and Miss Lorrimer
were holding an eager discussion.
Edith agrees with me that we should
go at once"
sternly. Then I DO not. II Edith sees
fit TO go, she must go: but this young
! girl cannot be abandoned in her terri
bic distress"
Abandoned. Allen? What an idea,"
exclaimed his betrothed. "She Is under
the care of her cousin and guardian. I
am sure his patience has been some
thing superhuman. Really, Allen, I
shall begin to Fear that o are as mad
as she Is"
II am--fully as mad!" was his a