RIVEN ASUNDER. OR, BERYL GRAYSON'S ORDEAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8373, 6 March 1907, Page 2

RIVEN ASUNDER. OR, BERYL GRAYSON'S ORDEAL.

A KOMANOE OF THE SAN FBANCISCO DISASTER

CHAPTER IV.-Continued. ''When I was ill in Denver," she continued, in a low tone, "just after the man Gorsline had coma to me with his terrible falsehood, you f had me removed from the miserable place where abject poverty had forced me to to live, secured the best medical attention, and had a trained nurse come to take care of me. You did ; this, you said, because you and my father had been like brother?, and you could not bear to see Leroy Grayson's daughter sick and in want." • He laughed, and it was a laugh that gave the lie to his former pretensions. "When I grew well enough to return to work," she resumed, "you would not listen to my returning to the'grinding toil of the book-bindery, with its mere pittance of wages but sought to persuade me to live for a few weeks on your bounty. This I would not do, and I thank Heaven from the bottom of my heart that I was strong enough not to let myself be beguiled. Then you secured me a place as cloak-model in the great establishment of Stein and Fetterman. At that time I believed you ever thoughtful, ever kind; and it was simply the fear of what people might think that led me to leave Denver and come to Sunset Ranch when Mr Jackman offered me a home. You were doing too much for me, and I felt that I could not wound you by telling you so." "You fancied that by coming here you could get away from me, eh?" The words were a taunt, and halfconcealed a sneer. "I fancied that your generosity was carrying you into deep waters," she answered, resting one little hand over her wildly beating heart, "and I had s hoped that when I came to Sunset Ranch you would understand my position, and be generous enough to respect it." "I was not to be shaken off so easily," said he, with a triumphant leer. "I have loved you, my little beauty, from the moment I first saw you running . that stitching-machine in the bindery; and I vowed then that, in spite of fate, you should one day be mine. Nor have I spent so much time and money on you merely to be turned aside by your sudden caprice." "Am I to understand, then, that what you did was less for my father's sake than for the purpose of forwarding your own base designs?" "You are to understand what you please," he brutally replied, "providing you do not overlook the fact that you aro in my power, and that I am here to make you my wife!" He took a step toward her, and she retreated before him. "I am not in your power!" she cried; "I have but to raise my voice and Mr Jackman will come to my aid. Do not touch me. Do not dare lay your hands upon me! Oh, I know what you are now, and I shall not rest until you have been paid back every penny you have spent upon me." ' ..' ■ Berdyne, his dark'face full of passion, advanced rapidly toward her. She evaded him with a quick movement, and called loudly for Mr Jackman. "You may call till you are hoarse, my pretty termagant," said Berdyne mockingly, "but little good will it do you. I shall take you in my arms, and snatch my first tribute from your red lips." A second more and the scoundrel might have accomplished his purpose; but there came a cry of anger, a stalwart form darted around the corner, le.ap.qd. up the verandah steps, caught Berdyne by the shoulders, and flung him at full length on the boards. "Beryl, my darling!" She stared, her eyes wide with joy and stunned surprise, her small hands fluttering about her throat. "Neil!" she whispered, sinking into the outstretched arms that were waiting for her, "at last! at last!" It was indeed Neil Preston, fortunately come at the very moment Beryl needed him most. Supporting his sweetheart with one arm, Neil shook a clenched fist over the scowling face of Berdyne. "You scoundrel!" he cried; "unless you wish further punishment, begone! I have returned from the North in time to foil your villainous plans, but have a care lest you tempt me too *- far. Out of my sight, you cur!'{ Berdyne picked himself up slowly, and backed down the steps of the porch. His face was fairly livid with rage and hate. "When I mark out my trail, Neil Preston," said he fiercely, "I follow it to the bitter end! For the moment, luck is with you; but my opportunity will come!" "Go I" ordered . Neil Preston, and Nicholas Berdyne turned on his heel and hastily strode away.

2£;; CHAPTER V. THE PLOTTERS. ". Berdyne, in spite of his despicable private character, was no coward; but he was at all times a man of discretion. He had not retaliated upon Neil Preston with force, choosing rather to bide his time and gain his revenge in another and more terrible way. "My plans have gone awry," he inuttered, in a fury of baffled hate, "*'just when they seemed near to consummation. 1 feared Preston would come, for I saw that same notice about his arrival on the Argonaut before I left San Francisco. I have fceen precipitate, and queered everything! But lam not beaten yet. I will have the [girl in spite of Preston, if I have to tear her from his arms at the very altar!"

By Jylia Edwards, Author of "The Little Widow," "Sadia, the Rosebud," "Prettiest of AlL'' "Stella Sterling," "Laur:i Bray ton," etc.

While thus communing with himself, Berdyne's rapid pace carried him beyond the house, and into the I tree-lined road that led downward I into the valley and off toward San j Jose. Here he encountered Hartley j Trenwyck. j "What has gone wrong Berdyne?" asked Trenwyck. "Your face is like j a thundercloud." "Everything has gone wrong!" | growled Berdyne. "While I was I talking with the girl, Preston showed up.' He is with her now, "he added, with a savage backward glance, "on the verandah at the other side of the house." "By Jove!" muttered Trenwyck, with a worried look. "He'll have the girl now, in spite of you!" Berdyne turned such a look of furious determination the lawyer that he shivered, ancl would have given much to recall his words. "I tell you again," said Berdyne, "that I have set my heart on the girl. Just now Preston seems to hold the trump card; but—mark my words, Trenwyck!—my time will come! I shall make that proud beauty crawl on her knees before me, and Preston himself shall live to curse the day he ever crossed my path!" There followed a brief silence. "Your persistence, Nick," said the lawyer finally, "is what I have always admired about you. I have something at stake in this affair no less than yourself, as you know very well. The day Beryl Grayson becomes your wife, Neil Preston's brother tenders me a check for five thousand dollars." "I well understand to what I am indebted for your aid, Trenwyck," : was Berdyne's sarcastic comment. 1 "Morley Preston and his aristocratic parents have cut off Neil's allowance, and have threatened to disinherit him, if he persists in his avowed purpose of marrying a working girl." "Exactly," said the lawyer, with a snake-like smile. "None of the Denver Prestons believed for • a moment that Neil was dead; they rather thought, I believe, that Neil spread the report himself in order to throw dust in their eyes. But," and here Trenwyck's voice sank into an earnest, confidential tone, "leaving that honorarium of five thousand entirely out of the question, you could have counted upon my aid just the same. I owe you too much, Berdyne, not to put my shoulder to the wheel and help your case along." "In order to make you more zealous in my cause," said Ber dyne, "I will match Morley Preston's offer, and hand you another five thousand the moment Beryl Gray-, son is in-my power." "That is liberal, certainly," mur- ! mured Trenwyck. He was the lesser ] villain of the two mainly because he ! had not the means for extensive operations. "The question just now is: What are you going to do?" Berdyne's tumultuous feelings were gradually settling down and his acute mind becoming more active. Silently he tendered the lawyer a cigar, and lighted one himself. After smoking for a few moments, he observed: "The girl has unlimited trust in Jackman, the owner of the ranch here." "She is the sort of person to make friends," commented Trenwyck, j "and she has been here for some! time." > i "As it pursued Ber-1 dyne, "I hold a heavy mortgage on ! this estate; it is now long overdue, and Jackman is virtually under my thumb." Trenwyck gave a start, and his crafty eyes narrowed with sudden comprehension. "Then the letter Jackman wrote the girl, offering her a home at Sunset Ranch, was inspired by you?" "That's the way of it, Trenwyck. Jackman never knew the girl's father." "By Jove, but you're a sly one!" muttered Trenwyck, with a look of open admiration. "And the girl is unaware of this?" "She is entirely, in ths dark. If we can strive to still further heigh-1 ten the girl's confidence by having Jackman order me away because of what took place here this morning, perhaps Beryl will continue to remain here for some little time." "But Preston may remain, too." "I think not. He will come.back again, of course, with the intention | of taking Beryl away with him; and I during his absence and while Beryl j is still at the ranch-house, we must i contrive to encompass our designs." "I see, I see," mused Trenwyck. "If you are ordered away, will you leave?" (To be Continued.)