The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-05-11

en- no Sign Indl ne dUO CuAS AS"
unexpected addition to his friends
household had ever met before.
CHAPTER XVII.
Beatrlce's swoon was not a long one,
but it allowed her the pretext of with
drawing from the meal and seeking
the retirement Of her own room.
Conversation flowed uninterruptedly
without her; but Allen was pale and
distracted. Never had Miss Lorrimer
appeared more brilliant or more charm
ing. Mr.. Chester's eyes dwelt on hel
admiringly.
II a proposing to Allen" he said,
as dessert was brought on, that you
should all come down for the holidays.
I can hardly picture to you the dreary
d~esolation of Grey Oaks since my
COUSINS death. You can scarcely
imagine what a real act of charity you
would perform If you would but en-
liven' my solitude"
"But why shut yourself up there.
my dear Chester" asked Allen, rous-
ing himself.
Il feel my presence necessary for
many reasons. Foremost Is this. I'M
happy affair of my cousins daughter.
It appears that her mother was an
Italian prima-donna, with whom my
cousin lost his heart and offered heart
and hand. AS in her case the latter
was disposed of, she could only accept
the former. Nc one, however, sus-
pected this until Mr.. Markham's death.
it was a cruel shock to his daughter.
unhappily, too, there a no will, SO
she. was left penniless. The terrible
disaster must have turned her brain,
I think, for she left Grey Oaks one
day, and we have since been unable to
obtain no clue to her. I trust, howev-
er, she may yet return, when ! would
be there to welcome her."
Clearer. and clearer grew the story to
Miss. Lorrimer, while even Allen looked
up with a quick, startled glance. yg5k
It seemed to him he had uncotl-
sciously held a puzzle in his hands, OF
whichNthe parts were fitting into place.
Yet It must be q chimera Of his own
brain.
Had not his guest met Miss Montrose
as q stranger? Her faint, too. was
easily explained by her recent Illness.
His own nature was too frank to
harbor long the supicion Of whose very
existence he was scarce conscious.
Poor grill" exclaimed Miss Lori
mer. WAS she young and pretty"
.'Quite young and very pretty. You
will be able to comprehend how sad. IT
all has been for me, when I tell you
that she was my affianced wife. I have
been 10th to take possession OF my IN
heritance; but her fight compelled
explanation, and the law forced me TO
claim my own. . Do you Wonder that
tile old house is desolate to me? wan
you not cheer me up for a little time In
it's empty solitude?"
4 think your plan most charming,
assented Edith, Cora eagerly echoing
her words.
..You will chaperone us. Mrs. Lay
ton?" asked Chester, with his old,
winning smile. y
And so he won his point.
It was arranged that the Thursday
following the little party should be-
come his guests.
.Miss-pardon me- he added, but
I did not catch the young lady's name
who is with you. You will explain to
her that she is included in the invita-
tion."
He spoke so naturally, so easily. that
even Edith was for the
checked in the building OF her little
wall of proof.
was it well that this girl should re-
turn to her own home as an alien! sne
could scarcely prevent 1t, except py
breaking up the entire plan; and, after
all, It would enable her better 70 lay
the scheme for future action.
Flushed and eager, Cora related 70
Miss Montrose, whom she found lylns'
pale and quiet on her lounge, the
proposed plan.
TO the young girl just budding into
womanhood, Beatrice Montrose seemed
( a lovely visitant from another worao.
She adored the beautiful companion
kind fortune had sent her. In her eyer
she was without flaw or blernish:$ Al
though In reality but two years ner
Junior, she was as q child beside ner.
She spoke now, with all Of e cniids
enthusiasm.
eve n r to spend the holidays" she
exclaimed, Eat Grey Oaks. they call the
place-a pretty name. y It not? And
e is one OF the show houses, they say,
on the Hudson. Whit not be charm.
inc. Miss Montrose7 But are you M
sorry for the young girl who supposed
always It was to be hers? q hope sne
viii come back while we are, there.
How cruel and unkind her father
have been to deceive her so!% &
s.Cruel and unkind!" burst from her
sl~iatener's pale lips. "Hush-hush! ypn
do NOT know what % are ay1ne =