Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-04-11

second, more thorough search through
all her fathers papers had been made,
but nothing could be discovered.
Their was no will: there was no proof
or any marriage which had taken place
between the parents.
Randolph Chester is good and
generous man," said the old lawyer,
kindly, in taking his leave. HE loves
you, and, as your husband, will pro-
tect you against the world and it's
knowledge of this terrible wrong. I'm
less you marry him, see no way to
avert the terrible disclosure, as he is
your fathers legal heir. and must, in
law, inherit the estate"
And my marriage to him is the one
price for his silence?"
my dear, you must not put it SO.
He loves you. 1t is the only way pos
sible. except by relinquishing every
thing, which by right, belongs to him."
But if give up all to him-if I
make no scounter-claim-if I go away
where he can never hear of me again
surely then the world need never
know?"
"How can he accept the property ex-
cept by proving his right to it? If you
were dead, my child. he fnherits then,
as the next heir; but. living, your
claim holds good, unless proven other
WISE"
IF were dead, all would be WE'LL"
she murmured to herself. "Can it be
that I have not the courage left to
die?"
And with the thought, a sense of
peace and gratitude stole into her
heart.
To die! Thus she might solve the
problem.
She had not seen her cousin during
these three days.
Toward nighfall he sent a message,
fear smote him as his eyes rested on
the pale beauty of her face.
Were his plans, after all, over
thrown? Had she discovered paper
which had escaped his vigilance? Or
how else might he account for this
contented calm which looked out from
the lovely eyes which rested their
quiet gaze upon him?
Beatrice, you are better?" he said,
tenderly. II dared not approach you
earlier, dear. I knew you must have
time for thought, and would prefer
solitude, but it has been very hard not
to try in some poor way to bring you
comfort"
ITO bring me comfort?' she echoed.
YEARLY. II scarcely wonder that at
such a task your courage failed. I
have seen Mr.. Arnold to-day. He con-
firms your story. Perhaps it is all
true. I have not strength longer to
disbelieve. Doubtless, the other day, !
was very harsh and very hitter
against you. Tiff this is true, I had
no right to say what I did. I hope
one-day-you-will- it,"
Like mama to the furnishing, her
words fell on Randolph Chester's soul.
Could it be that, at last, the prize
was his-:that, without further strug-
gle, it had fallen into his eager, covet-
Gus grasp?
At that moment something better,
nearer nobility than he had ever felt,
stirred within him. It was a sense OF
his own unworthiness.
Beatrice" he said, "the knowledge
of the pain my words inflicted caused
me keener suffering than any retort OF
yours born of your agony. Let that
all pass, dear. Let it be my task to
wipe out the memory of all this mis-
cry as wholly as I have wiped from
my remembrance your momentary In
justice toward me. My darling! You
will grant my prayer? You will be-
come my wife?"
your wife!" Involuntarily she shud-
dered as she repeated after him the
words. mo, no! Another way will be
found out of the difficulty-a way
which Mr.. Arnold has suggested to me-
You-you will understand tomorrow
The property, the money, will be yours,
Just the same And, having that, you
will not let the world know the truth
about-my mother? Promise me this?
Swear it to me?"
Beatrice, you are wrong, dear, in
supposing that any road but one can
lead us safely out from this tangled
web, and that road we must pursue to-
gether,7 dear, to lifes journeys end
Why do you hesitate? Can I never
teach you, child, loves lesson?'
The wonderful, subtle fascination OF
manner had never been more fully re-
vealed than when thus Randolph Ches-
ter pleaded his cause; but he spoke tc
deaf ears.
The girl seemed scarcely to hear him
She looked far beyond MIN, perhaps
adown that other path out of the
maze, which she was to dig with her
own hands.
"To-morrow you will understand
she whispered, dreamily.
A new fear smote him. Could she
have seen her old lover? Was she tc
take his name, with all the stain OF
disgrace now covering it? Impossi-
BILE! He was still in prison, awaiting
new trial, granted on application OF
his counsel. He had had direct news
of him only yesterday. What then:
Did she hope for his acquittal? and
did she still cling to him, spite of the
damaging evidence of his guilt?
His dread mastered his prudence.
Beatrice" he said, "you cannot oe
thinking still of one unworthy any
thought-of Bertram Talbot, a con-
victed theft"
AS he spoke the name. a strange
light passed over her face. For three
days she had not even remembered the
man she loved. One thought alone mao
so pressed it's stainful impress upon
her weary brain and heart that al,