Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-04-11

conscious appeal TO His great might,
her glance fell upon an article of fur
niture which in hat instant seemed TO
have been manufactured by the an
gels.
II was a cushioned lounge, but Il
served two purposes. for the top could
be lifted like a trunk. and within was
a long. pen space. within which dress
es might be laid at length. For the
il was empty.
She sprang forward. and lifting il,
motioned to Bertram 10 conceal him
self.
He hesitated with a mans instructive
hesitation 10 turn his back upon q foe.
Quick" she pleaded; for my sake
and the future. They viii oyerpower
you. and then ! shall be indeed alone."
The third blow warned them 10Th
that not a moment must be lost. She
clasped her hands imploringly upon
his arm. Her words bore fruit. II
was for her sake and the future.
rhe fourth blow-and with a great
crash the door gave way.
Three men sprang into the room, but
paused, bewildered. on the threshold,
for. confronting them stood only a
lbAUS anu tAAutsiArIN -DtduktA4 gin
her small head haughtily erect and her
eyes flashing their scornful questioning
az the reason for this base intrusion.
They hesitated. abashed. for though
she spoke no word. her silence was
more eloquent than speech, and her
glance confessed them towards.
She was very pale-a p~alenesS the
more marked by the contrast OF her
deep mourning dress. its Grape folds
outlining so perfectly the slender,
graceful figure, while the light falling
upon her hair converted IL into a
crown OF golden glory or her young
head.
At this juncture a fourth man APP
peared upon -he scene. Perhaps fear
ing violence. he had let the three Off
GERS precede him.
He now stepped forward to give
them courage, though his very lips
were white with disappointed rage.
"Ah. the bird has flown" he said
though not so far, I warrant. but that
we may overtake and bring him back
with pinioned wings"
Regardless of Beatrice, he stepped
across the floor and out on the bal
cony, calling 10 those stationed below:
You are sure your man has not
escaped?"
Not this way" both replied.
Flash your lanterns into the
branches of the tree!" he commanded.
further.
But the light revealed only the green
boughs, and the twittering birds. rude
ly awakened from their sleep.
asrr- L. - 49, kn- - he
said. turning back. Search il, and
leave no spot unsearched."
The men advanced a single step,
when Beatrice. putting up n hand
waved them back.
Instinctively. they obeyed the silent
gesture. as though it had been the
mandate OF a queen.
For the first time she spoke.
Leave my room instantly" she said.
mo one gives orders here save my
self,'
They looked from her to Chester.
He treasured them by a quiet smile.
The game was in his hands now. He
could afford TO have his tranquility un-
disturbed. For the moment he had
been chilled by the G that the cul-
prit had escaped him.
Reassured by the men beneath the
window. and knowing that the apart
ment offered no other egress for es-
cape, his color returned.
He motioned tbs men TO withdraw.
but by a look. indicated that they were
TO remain within call.
Beatrice" he said. gently. when
they two were alone, ! wish TO spare
you all thai it IS possible; but, my
child. you carnot evade h law. I
tod YOU a thief had entered the house.
II is useless to disguise from YOU that
I have recognized that thief's identity
with Bertram Talbot. Oh. my child.
are you not already convinced OF TINS
mans unworthiness that you still seek
to shield him? Tyrrell saw a man
swing himself from the branches OF a
tree on to yon balcony-saw him enter
this room. Scarcely had he made this
discovery, and was a bout to arouse
the household, when four men entered
the grounds. Bertram Talbot had es-
capped from custody. and, following his
trail, II led them here. They appealed
10 me. I could but promise them all
the assistance in my power. One OF
their number they left with Tyrrell to
watch below. The other three are with
out. They are officers of the law. Bea-
trice, and armed with its authority.
In aiding Bertram Talbot you, too. are
putting yourself within it's power. III
he is a man. raising his voice he
will not let you bear this stigma. He
viii surrender himself"
Fearful that BERTHE might hear and
rashly accept this challenge, Beatrice
FASTENED to interrupt him
IBID your men enter and search"
she said, scornfully. Il no longer for
bid invite them. 1t was only that
they forced their entrance that a
me take such action. You say that
Bertram Talbot is in this room2 Your
spies sew him enter? Seek and find
him, then. He is not invisible. He
cannot make himself so. My chamber
boasts no secrets. as o well know,
since this house Is as familiar to you
as TO me. Only I shall begin TO believe
in witchcraft. since. perchance. ! am
told one man enters my room unseen.
by the window. and three break down
my door in pursuit. Bid your friends
enter, Mr.. Chester. We will institute a
game OF hide-and-seek. II you have