Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-03-21

All this had happened two months be
fore this fair June night, when the
story opens. Randolph Chester was two
months older, and no nearer his goal
but in justice. it must be added, nc
whit more discouraged as to his ulti-
mate success. -
Grey Oaks never looked loveljer
than this summer" he said, after a
short pause. DO you purpose filling
the old house with your, gay friends.
Beatrice?" he asked, turning to his fair
young hostess and cousin thrice re-
moved. -: - .I5
IF had my way, papa and I woulo
reign here in unbroken solitude" she
replied. .-'t'
THAT would scarcely be- allowed last
seasons Acknowledged, belize. he retort7
ed, courteously. Besides, Grey Oaks
own reputation for hospitality could not
be. so misnamed.", -
Without replying, the girl arose I'M
patiently from her seat. Stopping an
instant beside her fathers chair, she
bent and laid her lips caressingly on his
white hair. 81. g.
You will find me on the piazza, pa
pa" she whispered and passed out
through one! of the French windows,
leaving the two men alone. -
II took your advice to-day, Ran
dolph," said the older man. II dis
missed Talbot from my service 1t hurt
me to do it, too, for he has served me
faithfully, so far as my business inter-
ests We're concerned: but, after all, it
was light punishment for his presump
ton. offered him an amount over and
above his due, which would have rep
resented his next years salary, but he
refused it, and bore himself with a dig
nifty which could not but admire"
He is good actor, Cousin Donald;
through his devices"
The old man sighed. He had been
fond of the boy of whom he spoke, and
that mornings interview had touched
tender chord and Weakened sleeping
memories.
Meanwhile, allured' by the moonlight
on the lawn, Beatrice was slowly saun-
tering under the shadow of the oaks,
when some one stepped from behind
the sheltering trunk of one of them,
and spoke her name.
A slight scream rose to her lips, but
quickly she repressed it, as she recog-
nized in the intruder the man who in
that instant filled her thoughts.
Bertrand" she exclaimed; what i'm
prudence! Why have you come here?"
"Why, my darling? The question
would sound less strangely uttered by
any other than yourself. What could
have brought me, save the hope of see
ing you?"
AS he spoke, he threw his arm about
her delicate waist, and drew her to his
heart. One moment she leaned there,
and then gently released herself.
This must not be. Bertran," she
said, firmly. There is no wrong, no
deception in our love for each other
We must not let it creep in. Remem-
Der rapa's love and devotion to me.
But for Randolph Chesters influence
he would long since have acceded to
my prayer, for your happiness and
mine. AS it is, we must be patient. It
will take a long time to convince him
that all my heart is yours; but, once
convinced, our sky will be all blue
again. =.
"Ah, Beatrice, you speak hopefully"
answered the young man, sadly, his
voice trembling with feeling. cit, is
possible you do not know that I was
to-day dismissed from your fathers
service-dismissed, Beatrice, as though
I had entered it but yesterday"
"Ah, this is shameful" cried the girl,
passionate indignation ringing in her
tone. What can papa been dreaming
OFF,"
sP11f III l.;
noticed that he was strangely silent to-
night. I am sure he already regrets an
act of such bitter Injustice
Let me go to him! Come with me
now We will confront him, and I will
ask him if thus he makes my happi-
ness!"
fNo-1o: it would only anger. him.
Besides. 1 cannot be a suppliant, even
for your sake. No, Beatrice I have
determined on my course of action; it is
for this I sought you here tonight.
Otherwise, my pride, like yours, would
have. rebelled against a secret meeting.
But 1 had to look once more into your
eyes, my love. I came not to ask your
welcome. Beatrice, but your farewell
FAREWELL" echoed the girl, in low
whisper. You are going to leave me,
Rertram?"' 3. ~; 49, ~, .G..,,..,.
"Not for long, I trust. But we are
both young, Beatrice, and must wipe
from myself the stain of fortune-hunt-
ing. Oh, how the name burnt as it fell
from your fathers lips! A year ago.:
Beatrice, I fancied he smiled upon our
attachment. Why did he throw us to-
gether if but to visit us with his after
wrath?"..t. e-.....s...r..
'fHave you forgotten the serpent in
our Eden? We had not then admitted
him. Cousin Randolph was abroad.
He it is, not papa, that has done all
this" go
"rRpt his motive, Beatrice? What.
can that be?'' =.
ia hot f1ush kind,eid the beautiful
cheek. -! n f,il Il:
Il hate to whisper it, Bertram. but
he---he. pretends to love. me- Don't,
dear!"-for the young man had; made
an Involuntary gesture ,of'angersand de-
fiaf1ce. ""In his heart L believe he hates
me. But do you not see. Bertram? It
is he: ITO ssYhom the, term fortune-hunter.
belongs. Wait, Bertram; give me time,
and l will win papa yet ',,s,s,, ~
J She leaned her head upon her loyertS