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

demanded her compliance with his
stern decision.
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, 1t must be added, no
whit more discouraged as to his ulti-
mate success.
Grey Oaks never looked ~lovelier
thar this summer" he said, after a
short pause. ID o purpose filling
the old house with your gay friends,
Beatrice?" he asked, turning to his fair
young hostess and cousin thrice re-
moved.
IF / had my way, papa and I would
reign here in unbroken solitude" she
replied.
That would scarcely be allowed last
seasons acknowledged belize" he retort-
ed, courtecusly. Besides. Grey Oaks
w 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 ca~ressingly on his
white hair.
~ ""A AhAN hit ch NtS BAo11ut ~
pa" she whispered. and passed out
through one of the French windows,
leaving the two men alone.
81 took your advice to-day. Ran
dolph,' said the older man. II dis
missed Talbot from my service. 1t hurt
me to do 1t, too, for he has served me
faithfully. so far as my business inter-
ests were concerned: but. after all, 1t
was light punishment for his presump-
tion. i offered him an amount over and
above his due, which would a rep
resented his next years salary. but he
refused ii. and bore himself with a dig
nifty which / could not but admire"
He is a good actor, Cousin Donald;
but 1 thought you had learned to see
through his Devices"
The old man sighed. He had been
fond of the boy of whom he spoke, and
that mornings interview had touched
a 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 n stepped from behind
the sheltering trunk Of one of them,
and spoke her name.
A slight scream rose to her lips, but
quickly h repressed 1t, as she ecog-
nized in the intruder the man who in
hat 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, saw the hope Of see-
ing your"
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. Bertram," she
said, firmly. There is no wrong, no
deception in our love for each other.
We must not let II creep in. Remem-
Der papa's love and devotion to me.
But for Randolph Chester's influence
he would long since nave acceded to
my prayer, for you happiness and
mine. AS 1t is. we must be patient. 1t
will take a long time to convince him
hat 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 o do not know that / was
to-day dismissed from your fathers
service-dismissed, Beatrice. as though
l had entered 1t but yesterday"
"Ah, this is shameful" cried the girl,
passionate indignation ringing in her
tone. What 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 / will
ask him IL thus he makes my happi-
ness!"
Mono: 1t would only anger him.
Besides. I canno be a suppliant, even
for your sake. No, Beatrice, / nav
determined on my course OF action; it Is
for this / sought o here tonight.
Otherwise, my pride. like yours, would
have rebelled against a secret meeting.
But / 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 a low
whisper. You are going to leave me.
Bertram?"
Not 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 If 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 it 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 IL. Bertram. But
he-he pretends TO love me. Don't,
d~ear!"-for the young man had made
an involuntary gesture of anger and de-
fiance. I'm his heart / believe ne hates
me. But do you not see. Bertram? 1t
is he to whom the term fortune-hunter
belongs. Wait, Bertram; give me time.
- n .rytrr xrSn .n-. .vot ~