Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-03-21

Randolph Chester cast toward Mr..
Markham one penetrating look, n
saw that his moments We're numbered.
I'VE have caught the thief, sir" he
began, with a significant glance toward
Talbot.
But as the insult escaped his lips, the
latter made a spring toward him. The
two men caught his arms and held him
back.
1T is only necessary for you TO ident-
fly him." continued Chester. coolly.
Mr.. Markham's power OF speech had
nearly gone. He pointed toward the
three. but his glance and finger Were
directed toward the coachman, who
grew CHASTITY white.
Bertrand" he gasped-"Bertram-
proof! i CONSENT. Beatrice! the will
the papers-you will ind-the secret
He could say no more. His head fell
back. An expression Of acute pain
swept over his face, succeeded by per-
feet peace.
Donald Markham, master OF Grey
Oaks, was dead
Randolph Chester bent over the dead
man a moment. while a swift expression
of triumph passed over his face; then
he went toward Beatrice and tenderly
tool her hand.
Come away. my child" he said,
gently. Your father is dead"
"Deadl" she moaned. mo, no! Oh,
God! how could he die. when so little
time & we We're talking OF to-mor-
row.? Papa, papa! speak to mel"
lit was heart disease, Beatrice. He
had known for four vars that any ex-
element would bring on death. He
had kept it a secret from you, fearing
10 cause you unhappiness."
And this was what he meant to tell
me?" sobbed the girl. "And it was I
who killed him--I, who loved him bet
ter than my life!"
No, Beatrice; there stands his muir
derer! Look at him. n he motioned
toward Bertram, whose white lips met
In n straight line. but who made no
further effort to escape from the de-
tanning grasp of his two guardians.
"Bertie.' cried the unhappy girl.
"Bertie, why do you not speak to me?
What il he saying? Oh, my brain is
reeling. i am going mad!"
Go to your room, dear childl" plead
ed Chester. "All this is more than you
can bear. Tomorrow you shall know
ALL"
Tomorrow! mol" she answered,
firmly. Tomorrow is already to-day.
and / Will hear now-now, all that you
ave to sayi But what is this you say
of BERTHE? 1 cannot understand"
Yet tonight you heard him boas
that gold should buy you. How could
he gain that gold? He stole back into
the hous he had left: entered the IL
brary by an open window, while your
father a gone for a moment to his
room. leaving open his safe, at which
he had been examining some papers. A
pile of bonds and notes were lying
there. These he seized, and was Just
about making his escape. when your
father entered. / was standing outside
the window, al unseen witness to all
hat followed. i had been restless,
could not sleep, and the beauty of the
night had tempted me to enjoy it more
perfectly outside. Your fathers ex-
element had passed away, and he
asked him, quite calmly, why he had re-
turned. He began TO speak, when your
fathers eye fell on the safe. Instantly
he new that ne had been robbed, and
that the thief stood before him. Old
itidH as ZIG WIS, nt SpT&uS IONdTu MN,
but with a swift movement Talbot
eluding his grasp. turned to escape by
h window but, seeing me, fed through
the door. I lost no time in pursuit. /
could not dream that Cousin Donald
was SO Ill. Tyrrel ] met in the grounds.
He was just returning to his rooms
from the village. Gray, 1 knew, was
sitting up with his sick wife. One mo-
ment sufficed to call them both. We
had little difficulty in overtaking and
capturing the cowardly criminal. Be-
atrice. 1t cuts me to the soul TO tell me
this. as you stand by your dead faith
er's side. yet a moment ago you heard
from his lips a continuation Of my sto-
~. You saw him identify the thief"
Thief. do you say?" she questioned,
interrupting for the first time, while
her glance one instant fell on Bertram
Talbot's face. and met the answering
glance from the clear brown eyes which
met hers SO fearlessly, and mutely
seemed to ask, Beatrice. do you be-
lieve this lie?'
whoever calls Bertram Talbot THIEF
lies" she said. "Bertram, why do
you not speak?"
Words are useless. Beatrice" he an
swered. Let this villain work his
worst-my explanation and my pres
ence here tonight is not for his ears!'
Nor your explanation OF how these
came into your possession? ?" questioned
Chester. scornfully; and he drew from
his pocket a package Of bonds and
notes. "Tyrrel. explain how n where
you found them?"
"Mr. Talbot threw 'em away, sir. as
we came up to him; and /, thinking
they might be of some value, picked 'em
up"
You see. Beatrice. these are the stol-
en- bonds. Dc you wish more proof?"
asked Chester.
"More proof? Yesi" she cried. 81
wish proof that you are the thief, and
these men are false witnesses! oh.
papa. speak! Open your dear lips! I
need you-more than ever In my life 1
need you! Papa, papa. come back to
mel"
An expression of hate and bitter de-
termination swiftly passed over RAN
dolph Chester's face. Then he forced a
smile Of ~forgiving pity to take it's place: