Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-03-14

l All tHlS Hdu Hdppthti w iiloblHo w
fore this fair June night, when the
story opens. Randolph Chester was two
months older. and no nearer his goal
but. in justice. 1T must be added, no
whit more discouraged as to his ulti-
mate success.
Grey Oaks never looked lovelier
than this summer" he said, after a
short pause. ID you purpose filling
the old house with your gay friends,
Beatrice? ?" he asked. turning to his fair
young hostess and cousin thrice re-
| moved.
IF / a my way, papa and / woula
reign here in unbroken solitude she
replied.
THAT would scarcely be allowed last
seasons acknowledged belize" he retort-
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
n and laid her lips caressingly on his
white hair.
You win 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, 1t
was light punishment for his presump-
ton. / offered him an amoun over and
above his due, which would have rep
resented his next years salary, but he
refused il, and bore himself with a dig
nifty which / could not but admire"
HE is a good actor, Cousin Donald;
but i thought you had learned to see
through his devices"
The old man sighed. He had been
fon of the boy of whom he spoke, and
that mornings interview had touched
a tender chord and wakened sleeping
memories.
Meanwhile, allured by the moonlight
on the lawn, Beatrice was slowly
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 depressed 1t, as she recog-
nized in the intruder the man who in
that instant filled her thoughts.
Bertrand" she exclaimed; what i'm
prudence! Why hav you come here?"
why, my darling? The question
would sound less strangely uttered by
n other than yourself. What coGld
have brought me, a the hope of see
ing your"
AS he spoke, he threw his arm about
I,4. ALLIE - -nt~t a~l lnzny -, an hfa
heart. One moment she leaned there,
and then gently released herself.
''This must not be, Bertram,'' she
said, firmly. There is no wrong. no
| deception in our love for each other.
| We must not let 1t creep In. Remem-
Der papa's love and devotion to me.
But for Randolph Chester's influence
he would long since have acceded to
my prayer, for your happiness and
mine. AS it is. we must be patient. 1t
will TAX 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. 1T is
possible you do not know that / was
to-day dismissed from your fathers
service-dismissed, Beatrice, as though
1 had entered 1t but yesterday"
"Ah, this is Shameful cried the girl.
passionate indignation ringing in her
tone. "Wha can papa been dreaming
Off"
But do not blame him, Beatrice. I
noticed that he was strangely silent to-
night. 1 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."
Mono: 1t would only anger him.
Besides, I cannot be q s%uppliant, wen
for your sake. No, Beatrice. / have
determined on my course of action; 1t is
for this I sought you here tonight.
Otherwise. my pride. like yours, would
have rebelled against a secret meeting.
But I had to look once more into your
eyes, my love. I came not to ask your
welcome, Beatrice. but u farewell"
Farewell" echoed the girl, in n low
whisper. You are going to leave me.
Bertram?"
mot for long, I trust. But we are
both young. Beatrice, and I must wipe
from myself the stain OF fortune-hunt-
ing. Oh, how the name burnt as 1t fell
from your fathers lips! A year ago,
Beatrice. i fancied he smiled upon our
attachment. Why did he throw us to-
gether IL but to visit US with his after
WRATH"
Have you forgotten the serpent in
our Eden? We had not then admitted
him. Cousin Randolph was abroad.
He 1t is. not papa that has done all
this"
But his motive. Beatrice? What
can that be?"
A hot flush kindled the beautiful
cheek.
Il hate to whisper II, Bertram. But
he-he pretends to love me. Don't,
dear!"-for the young man had made
an involuntary gesture of anger and de-
iance. I'm his heart 1 believe he hates
me. But do you not see. Bertram? 1t
is he to whom the term fortune-hunter
belongs. Wait. Bertram; give me time.
and i Will win papa yet"
She leaned her head upon her lovers
arm. He stopped and pressed his lips