Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-06-13

suit from Sour hpS.
II do not wish 10 hurt you. Beatrice:
but SO the world will name her. and
the world shall have the story in all its
bearings. Why should / show YOU
~meTcy-Who show none to mo? Is IL
not madness TO persist longer in our
refusal? What does il entail upon you
for the future? Your dead fathers dis
honor-your own inheritance OF both
\ mar you owe a convict, your home
a mad house Look on the other hand:
I clear from the dead the stain that
clings to them! I will give back TO
BeEtram Talbot the freedom he has
forfeited! / win make your life happy,
For the sake of the dead and Of the liv-
ing-for the dead, whose voices would
unite with mine. and for the living,
whom your refusal will clothe in the
eonviot's garb-I bid you pause. Must
] not love YOU well that / should maks
10 you this prayer?"
Beatrice's brain was Keeling. His
words held to her the confused mean
ing OF a dream.
What was left to her but 10 yield?
She was in the spiders web, and no
merciful hand would free her, as hers
had freed the tiny. futtering fly.
She could but struggle on until death
proved her deliverer-struggle on with
the tain forever resting on the white
hem OF her dead mothers shroud. and
pay the forfeit OF her lovers liberty.
Why not end the hopeless battle. ac-
cept defeat herself. and WRAP those h
loved best in the mantle OF an unsullied
honor? What matter the cost OF UGH
an end?
Leave me-" she murmured, in a
voice so low and faint he scarce could
catch the words. Tonight bring me
the papers, prove all that you have said
true, acknowledgements"
A wild wave Of absolute rapture
swept over Randolph Chester's face.
He had schemed. and plotted, and
toiled. and at lastat last, victory was
within his grasp,
Once Beatrice Markham was his wife,
what mattered all the rest? Position,
fortune, h~onor-these would be secured
TO him. and revenge. revenge for ev-
cry slight she had offered him, revenge
for the very love he bore her, the love
which at this moment surged so madly
in his soul,
Before she had OWNED or could pre-
vent HIS pun pDSC AlS Hdd NaLSAN AlCA
hands in his and strained them TO his
lips.
As though their touch had been like
burning fire, h snatched them from
his hold and stood an instant, outraged
and defiant, only the next 20 remember
that this was but the first payment Of
the debt.
But he made neither complaint nor
appeal. as he silently went out from her
presence.
Once more she was alone. Again she
paced the limits of her room, until. ex-
hauste1. she would rest, only TO begin
! anew.
The short afternoon deepened into the
shadow of evening.
In the dim light she stood by her
window, looking out. when suddenly
she saw, standing beneath IL, a man,
half concealed by the trunk OF a giant
oak against which he leaned. Yet she
imagined his eyes fixed on her window.
Suddenly he drew a handkerchief
from his pocket and cautiously waved
1t toward her.
Who was he?
She looked more closely, and fancied
II the figure of Tyrrell. the lodgekeeper.
Surely, he could want nothing of her.
Yet he was reckoning to her. II might
| be a fresh trap, but at least IL could be
nothing more terrible. Her promise OF
to-day precluded that.
The ghost of a tiny hope stalked by
her side, as she swiftly sped dow the
stairway and through the empty halls
TO the place where he stood awaiting
her. He waited still.
YOU wanted to see me?" she said.
yes. miss he answered. st Just
heard as how my master was going 10
marry we. and. a as / am. I'm not
bad enough TO let that happen. Tiff
I get we out OF his clutches. ven help
me out OF the clutches OF the law?
Promise me this"
II promise-l swear 1t, But speak
speak quickly
ITS the papers, miss. as We said
would prove your over innocent-will
they be afther showing the guilty
man?"
mo. Tyrrell, no; but they will en-
able me TO wrest myself forever from
Mr.. Chester,s cruel power. oh, IL you
can help me, do IL, Was IL you who
tore the papers from my hands? II
so. give them back TO me, and / viii
thank you on my knees"
Your knees, Miss Beatrice-your
knees to me? Oh, no, Shure, I'd soon
be telling We all the wretched truth
when We IN like that But come with
me. and let what will happen 10 Tyrrel
o'Byrne. the devil 10 whom he sold
himselfl find one white spot on hi;
soul for this hours work It's safe and
chure I've hid 'em away. but I've no;
sure I've Hidden 'em away. but Ive not
forgotten the hiding place. 1t came
back 10 me just now k a vision, and
I SAID TO myself as 1t was a sign that
we were 70 have what belonged TO ye.'
AS he talked they walked rapidly
alcng side by side. Beatrice's heart
was beating loudly. The ghost OF her
hope was taking bodily shape and sub
stance now.
Suddenly Tyrreli paused. Just here
was a place between two blocks OF
stone in the solid wall OF the house,
large enough. perhaps. 10 admit a mans
hand. Without hesitation-secure, ex-
ultant-he thrust In his, only the next
moment TO withdraw II. with a deep
croan and q muttered curse.
~" Aal Aaa~ ~hayA haF0va him