RIVEN ASUNDER. OR, BERYL GRAYSON'S ORDEAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8401, 17 April 1907, Page 2

RIVEN ASUNDER. OR, BERYL GRAYSON'S ORDEAL.

A HOMANOE OF THE SA.N FRANCISCO DISASTER

CHAPTER XXXVlll.—Continued."

Berdyne, when he met Trenwyck in San Jose and started for Sunset Ranch, believed fully that he could beg or coerce Beryl into marrying him. This new step necessitated the destruction of every paper of an incriminating nature which Berdyne had in his possesoion in the trunk loft to the care of I-largreaves; and yet, at the same time, enough evidence must bo saved to enable Berdyne to protect himself against Mings, if the latter should try to make trouble. This explanation of Berdyne's reasons for bringing the trunk to San Francisco and leaving it there was pure speculation, on Neil's part, yet it seeinedjogical and correct. And so* to the two wondering girls, Neil narrated the story of his discoveries in Alaska. Horror at Berdyne's perfidy was equally dividil with admiration for Neil's resourcefulness in carrying out the errand that had taken him to the distant North. "And so, my darling," Neil finished with a tender smile, "you see that you will soon be wealthy. At last the little bindery girl will take her rightful place among the society people of Denver." "I am so glad, dearest," Beryl whispered; "you have given up your wealth and family for me, and you have won this fortune by your own courage and cleverness —so it belongs to you, even more than it does to me. I am happy to think that I can make up to you some of the things you have jost." , "I should be repaid far beyond my deserts, sweetheart," he fondly answered, "if I had only your dear self." There was a piano in the parlor, and Tonita had stolen to it and allowed her hands to flutter over the keys. When Neil finished speaking, the Mexicana's musical voice floated through the room: "Oh, sing the song we love, love, When all life seems one song; For life is none too long, love — Ah, love is none too long.''

CHAPTER XXXIX,

CONCLUSION. Joys like misfortunes, never come singly. This was soon made manifest to brave, unselfish Tonita. Neil's telegram to her people that she was safe and ih the hotel in Oakland brought a response in the person of Tonita's lover. He was in San Jose when the telegram was received, learned the joyful news, and at once took the train for Oakland- Thus the cup of Tonita's happiness was full to running over. But this was not all. Many young lovers who had passed through the terrible San Francisco disaster were being united in marriage, desirous of beginning life over again arid facing the world hand in hand. The example appealed to Tonita's lover no less than to Tonita and they also were made one at the altar. The San Francisco fire burned for three days before it was checked. A week passed and, when the various safes and vaults about the city were cool enough to be opened, the people i began getting at their valuables.! Near Van Neas Avenue a man was shot while seeking to plunder a safe : among the ruins. This man was Dave Gorsline. Neil read to his wife the account of the shooting in a daily paper. Marm Kinney, like Hargreaves and Trenwyck, vanished from the house in J Street about the time Berdyne was shot. They were never heard of afterwards. . Nor was any trace of Irma Lee ever discovered. For a long time Berdyne lay in an Oakland hospital. Neil and Beryl went back to Denver; and Neil put Beryl's case in a lawyer's hands. In the course of a few weeks a gentle- { man of the legal fraternity came on' to Denver from Oakland, in Ber- j dyne's interest. ! Berdyne, the Oakland lawyer declared, was anxious to do what was right and just toward Beryl, and keep the case out of the courts. In ; case she would agree not to proceed against him, and would drop the entire matter, he would turn over to her the entire amount which he had received for her father's claim—--800,000 dollars. Under no circumsances would this offer have been accepted had not the lawyer declared that Berdyne bad but a few years to live, and would be utterly helpless during those years. The bullet fired by Irma had shattered his nervous system, leaving him powerless to move hand or foot. To the end of his days he would be bedridden ; and when death finally came it would bring a welcome release from his pain and misery. In the sight of Heaven, Berdyne was as guilty of Leroy Grayson's death as though he had struck a sudden and fatal blow with his own hand; and it went against Neil's ftetter jugdment to spare him. But his remainng years would be years of physical and mental torture; and it was Beryl's opinion that his punishment wa;s heavy enough. So it became known throughout Denver that Beryl, the bindery girl, had come into ti fortune. She at once became one of the social leaders, and was courted and petted by all the wealthy people of Colorado's metropolis. But there was one who did not wait for Beryl's wealth to be known before she came, acknowledged her worth, and sought a reconciliation. This was Neil's mother. Never could Mrs Burton Preston forget that to Beryl, whom she

By Julia Edwards, Author of "The Liltle Jf idow," "Sadia. the Rom'nid," "Prettiest of All," "Stella Sterling," "Laura Braytonetc..

Ii;kI hud cruelly wronged, she owed hor life. The haughty woman's pride was humoled. Be yl was net slow to forget, and forgive because she waa eager <:«» do everything that she could for Neil's happiness. In Berdyne's settlement with Beryl a mortgage of 5,000 dollars against Sunset Ranch, long overdue, foil to her. A.s a token of esteem for "Mother Jack man" Beryl cancelled the mortgage, and forwarded it to the good woman, who had always been her friend. Thus she heaped coals of fire upon the head of the faithless ranchman. Help was also extended by Neil and Beryl to Mr Bickerdyke and his daughter, who had lose everything in the fire. And so, in these later days, when the "spirit of forty-nine" is animating the people of San Francisco, and they are steadily obliterating every evidence of the dread catastrophe, Neil and his beautiful wife are living happily in Denver; so happily that the blissful days are all too short. Life, for them, is one golden dream of love. THE END).