“Beryl Brentano.”

When marriage vows had irrevocably committed Leo’s happiness to his honor, it might then be safe to tell him the truth, and solicit release from the self-imposed terms.  Five hours later, she received an answer: 

“A trifle too late, you unfurled the flag of truce.  With my game in sight, I decline to forego the chase.  For your solicitude regarding my marriage, I tender my thanks; and the assurance, that no magnet can draw, not all the charms of Circe lure me across the Atlantic, until I have accomplished my purpose.  The tardiness of your proposal is unerring appraiser of its costliness; and I were a monster of cruelty to debar you the sight of your idol, though I bring him with the grim garniture of chains and handcuffs.  When I consign Miss Dent to her relatives in New York, I go to a miners’ camp in Dakota, to identify a man bearing the marks of one who fled from X—–­, and lost his pipe, on the night he murdered Gen’l Darrington.

“Dunbar.”

To temporize longer would be fatal to Bertie; and no alternative remained but to tell the simple truth.

Without an instant’s delay she took up her pen, but ere half a line had been traced on the paper, a hoarse whistle, somewhat muffled by distance, told her the attempt was futile; and through the valley beyond the river a trailing serpent of black smoke showed the express train darting northward.  The attorney had left X—–­, but might linger in New York sufficiently long for a letter to reach him; and doubtless his address could be learned at his office: 

“If Mr. Dunbar will give me an opportunity of acquainting him with some facts, he is anxious to discover, he shall find it unnecessary to travel to Dakota; and will thank me for saving him from the long journey he contemplates.

“B.  B.”

The sun was setting when Mr. Singleton returned from the attorney’s office, and held out the note which he had been instructed to address and deposit in the mail.

“If it is a matter of any importance, I am sorry to tell you that this cannot reach Mr. Dunbar immediately.  He goes only as far as Philadelphia, where Miss Dent’s nephew meets her; then Dunbar travels right on West without stopping, till he reaches Bismarck.  He left instructions at his office to retain all mail matter here, for a couple of weeks, then forward to Washington City; as business would detain him there some days after his return from the west.  Good gracious! how white your lips are.  Sit down.  What ails you?”

She put her hand over her eyes, and tried to collect her thoughts.  To suffer so long, so keenly, and yet lose the victory; could it be possible that her sacrifice would prove utterly futile?

“Mr. Singleton, you have shown me many times your friendly sympathy, and I am again forced to tax your kindness.  It is important that I should see or communicate with Mr. Dunbar within the next forty-eight hours.  Could you induce the telegraph operator here to have a message delivered to him on the train, before it reaches Washington City?”