Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 23, 1913)
4 .is i THE NORTH PLATTE SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE. T mm mi . m awn n. ...awi&. . I ' I! ' I! 'I it f I I ; i i . w I i. 11 i 12 SYNOPSIS. George Anderson nnd wlfo see a re nmrknble looking man conio out of tlio Clermont hate), look nround furtively, wash his hands In tlio snow find pntiii on. Commotion attracts tliom to tlio Clermont, whom It Ih found that tlio beautiful Alias Edith Challonor haw fallen dead. Ander son describes tlio man lie saw wnsli his hands In tlio snow The hotel manager declares him to bo Orlando llrotlicrBon. I'hyHlcluna (lnd that Mini Challoncr wan Blabbed anil not nhot. which seems to clear Hrothcrfson of suspicion. Qryco, nn need detective, and Sweetwater, Ills as sistant, take up tlio rase. Mr. Cliallonor tells of n batch of letters found 111 Ills daughter's desk, signed "O li," All are lpvo letters except one. which shows thut tlio writer wim displeased. This letter wan signed h Orlando Ilrntherson. And erson Bot-H with Sweetwater to Identify ilrothernon, who Is found In a tenement under the namo of Dunn. lie Is nn In ventor Ilrotherson tells the roroner Miss Challoner repulsed him with scorn when ho offered her his lovo. Swpctwater ro culls tlio mystery of the murder of it "washerwoman In wlilalt somo details wero plmllnr to tho Challoner affair. Chal inner admits his daughter was deeply In tornited. If not In love with Urotherson. Sweetwater gotn lodgings In tho nnmo building with Ilrotherson. IIo watches tho Inventor tit work nt night anil Is de tected by tho latter The detective moves to a room adjoining Urotherson's. Ho bores a hole In tho wall to spy on Brotti enson. IIo visits him and assists tho In ventor In his work. A girl sent by Sweet water with Edith Clmlloncr's letters Is ordered out by Ilrotherson. ITo declares the letters woro not written by him. HHCetwiiter Is iinmnBkcd by Ilrotherson, who declares ho rocognlzed him at onco. I he dlscovorv Is made that tho letters "te'Cil "O. B." wero written by two different men. Sweetwater goes to Derby In Hearch of the second "O. II.." whom ho o xpeetn to locate through ono Doris Scott, mentioned In tho litters. Hho is found acting as mirso for Oswald Ilrotherson, w,,0JS.r.r,l,,canY:"lck "n" roll" tho namo of Edith In his delirium. Hwootwator omes across n peculiar hut In tho woods, lie sees u load of boxes marked "O. Jlrotherson. taken Into the hut under the supervision of Doris Bcott. Doris UIIs Clmllnner of seelng'ln n dream tho faco pf tho man who killed Edith. Tho ilr.1T . r,PRB ftnd .Bho recognizes In tho visitor tho man of her dream. It Is Or lando I rotherson, who requests an In tor vlow With his brother. It Is denied. Or lando Is greatly agitated ot tho renllzu ilon that ho has fallen In love with , CHAPTER XXX. Continued. "This, I mnko no apologies mid ex pect In answer nothing more than an unequivocal yos or no. You tell mo that you Imvo never mot my brotbor. Can thnt bo cold of tho othor mom born of your family of your deceased dnughtcr, In fact?" "No." "8ho was acquainted with Oswald Brothorson." "She was?" "Without your knowledge?" "Entirely so." "Corresponded with him?" "Not, exactly." "Hqw, not exactly?" "Ho wrote to her occasionally. She wroto to him frequently but sho nev er sept her letters." "Ah!" The oxclamntlon was Bharp, short and convoyod llttlo. Yot with Its es cape, the whole scaffolding of this man'8 hold upon Hfo nnd his own fato went down In Indistinguishable chaos. Mr. Challoner realized a sonse of havoc, though tho oycB bent upon his countenance had not wavered, nor tho Etalwarl flguro moved. "1 havo read somo of thoso lottora," tVe Inventor finally ncknowlodgod. "The pollco took great pains to placo them undor my oyo, supposing them to have boon meant for mo bocauso of tho initials written on tho wrapper, nut they wero meant for Oswald. You bnllovo that now?" "I know It." "And thut Is why I fouud you In tho samo house with him." "It la. Provldenco has robbod mo of my. daughter; if this brother of youra should provo to bo tho man I nm led to expect, I shall aBk him to take that placo in my heart and llfo which was once burs." A quick recoil, u smothered oxcla matlon on tho part of tho man ho nd droBsod. A barb had been hidden In this slmplo statement which had reached some deeply-hidden but vul nerable spot in Ilrothorson'B breast, which had nover boon pierced boforo. tt was a Bight no man could seo un moved. Mr. Cliallonor turned Bhnrp ly away, in dread of tho abysB which tho next word ho uttered might open botween them. But Orlando IJrotherson posHossod it--.ourccs of Btrength of which, pos sibly, ho wbb not aware himself. Whon Mr. Challoner, still moro ulToctod by tho. Bllonco than by tho dread 1 havo mentioned, turned to confront him again, It waB to llnd htu features com posed and hlB glanco clear. Ho hud conquered all outward manlfuBtatlon of tho mysterious emotion which for an Instant had laid his proud spirit low. "You. aro considerate ot my broth rF" wero tho words with which ho re opened thla painful conversation. "You will not find your confidence mis placed. OBwold is a straightforward fellow, of fow faults." "1 believe It. No man can bo so uni versally boloved without eomo very substantial claims to regard. I am glad to seo that your opinion, though itfven somowliat coldly, coincides with that of his frlonds." "I nm not given to exaggeration," was tho oven roply. Nothing which had yet passed showed that this man realized tho fact that Oswald had boon kopt lu igno- ranco of Miss Chnlloner's death. If theso brothers wore to meet on the morrow, It must bo with tho full un derstanding that this especial topic was to bo completely avoided. Uut In what words could ho urgo such a re quest upon this man? None suggest ed themselves, yet ho had promised Miss Scott that ho would Insure his silonco In this regard, and it wns with this dlfllculty and no othor he had beon struggling when Mr. Brothorson enmo upon him In tho other room. "You havo still something to say," suggested tho latter, as nn oppressive allenco swallowed up that Icy sontenco I havo already recordod. "I havo," roturncd Mr. Challoner, re gaining his courage under tho exigen cies of tho moment. "Miss Scott is very anxious to havo your promise that you will avoid all disagreeablo toplcB with your brothor till tho doc tor pronouncen him strong enough to meet tho trouble which awaits him." "You mean " "IIo is not as unhappy as wo. Ho knows nothing ot tho allllction which has befallen him. Ho wnH taken ill" Tho rest wns almost Inaudible. "Do you think I should bo apt to broach this subject with anyone, lot nlono with him, whoso connection with It I shall need dayB to realize? I'm not so glvon to gossip. Besides, ho and I havo other topics of Interest. I havo nn Invention ready with which I propoBo to oxporlmont in a placo ho hus already proparod for mo. Wo can talk nbout that," Tho Irony, tho hardy Bolf-possesslon with which this was said struck Mr. Challoner to tho hoart Without a word ho wheeled about towards the doof Without a word, Brothorson stood, watching him go till ho saw his hand fall on tho knob whon ho quietly prevented his oxlt'by saying: "Unhnijpy truths cannot bo long con cealed. How soon does the doctor think my brother can boor theso In evitable rovolatlons?" "He said this morning that If his patient wero ns woll tomorrow aB his present condition gives promlso of, ho might bo told In nnother week." Orlando bowed his appreciation of this fact, but added quickly: "Who Is to do tho tolling?" "Doris," nobody else could bo trust ed with so dellcato n task." "I wish to bo present." Mr, Cliallonor looked up, surprised at tho fooling with which this request was charged. "As his brothor his only remaining rolatlvo, I hnvo that right. Do you think that Dor thnt MIsb Scott, can bo trusted not to forestall that mo ment by any previous hint of what awaltB him?" "If sho so promises. But will you oxact this from hor? It suroly cannot bo nocessnry for mo to Bay that your proBenco will ndd Infinitely to tho dim cully of her tnBk." "Yot It Is a duty'l cannot shirk. I will consult tho doctor nbout it. I will mako him seo that I both understand and shall Insist upon my rights In this mattor. But you may toll MIbh Dor Is that I will Bit out of sight, and that I shall not obtrude myself unless my nnmo Is brought up In an undoslrablo way." Tho hand on tho door-knob made u sudden movement. "Mr. Brothorson, I can bear no moro tonight. With your permission, I will leave this question to bo Bottled by others." And with a repetition of his former bow, tho bereaved fathor with drew. Orlando watched him till tho door closed, then ho too dropped his mnsk But la was on again, whon In a llttlo whllo ho pasBed through tho sitting room on his way upstairs. No othor day lu his wholo llfo had boon llko this to tho hardy Inventor; for In It both his hoart and his con science had been awakonod, and up to this hour ho had not renlly known thnt ho possossod etthor. CHAPTER XXXI. What Is He Maklnrj? Othor boxes addressed to O. Broth orson had boon rocolved at tho sta tion, and enrriod to thu mysterious shod In tho woods; and now, with looked door and lifted top, tho older brothor contemplated hla stores nnd propared hlmsolf for work. Ho had -boon nllowod a short lutor vlow with Oswald, and ho had In dulged himself In n few words with Doris. But ho had loft thoso mem ories behind with othor and moro seri ous matters. Nothing thnt could un norvo hla hand or weaken his Insight should enter this spot uncred to his groat hope Hero gonitis reigned Hero ho wns hlmsolf wholly nnd with out flaw a Titan with his grasp on a mochnnlcal idoa by moans ot which ho would soon rule tho wot Id. Not bo happy woro tho othor char actors In this drama. Oswald's thoughts, disturbed for a Bhort tlmo by his brothor, had flown eastward again, In silent lovo nnd longing; whllo DorlB, with a double dread now In hor hoart, wont nbout her dally tasks, praying for strength to endure JJ " ' : : : - i. . i. . ..A 4 l ii tXlBfMMfiFiMXlm Rv ANNA KMmWNE , Author op "the iavenwoeth case" the filigfieb bali. the house of hie whispering pines ILLUSTRATIONS 1W CHARLES COPVDinHT nii by cumntioHT xonx -SSL the horrors of this week, without bo traylng tho anxieties secretly devour ing her. And Mr. Challonor? Tho sight of Brothorson, though thoy never really met, acted llko acid upon a wound, nnd It was not 4.111 six daya had passed and tho dreaded Sunday was at hand, that ho alept with any senso of rest or went his way about tho town without thnt halting at tho corners which be trayed his porpetual apprehension ot a mo3t undealrablo encounter. Tho roason for this change will bo npparont In tho short conversation ho hold with a man he had como upon ono evening in tho Bmall park Just be yond tho workmen's dwellings. "You seo I am here," was tho stranger's low greeting. "Thank God," was Mr. Chnlloner's roply. "I could not havo faced tomor row alone and I doubt If Miss Scott could have found tho reqplslto cour ngo. Does sho know that you are hero?" "I stopped at her door." "Was that safo?" "I think so. Mr. Brothorson the Brooklyn ono Is up In IiIb shed. Ho sleeps there now, I am told, arid soundly too I'vo no doubt." "What la ho making?" "What half tho Inventors on both sides of the water aro engaged upon Just now. A morioplane, or a blplnno, or somo machine for carrying men through tho air. I know, for I helped him with It. But you'll find that If ho succeeds In this undertaking, and I be lieve ho will, nothing short of fame awaits him. His invention haB Btart llng points. But I'm not going to give them away. I'll bo true enough to him for that. As an Inventor ho has my sympathy; but woll, wo will seo what wo shall seo, tomorrow. You say that ho Is bound to bo prosent whon Miss Scott relates her tragic story. Ho won't bo tho only unseon listener. I've mado my own arrangements with MIsb Scott. If ho fools tho neod of watching hor and hla brothor Oswald, I feel tho need of watching him." "You tako n burden of Intolerable weight from my shoulders. Now 1 shall feel easier about that Interview But I should llko to ask you this: Do you feel Justified In this continued Burvelllanco of a man who has so fro quontly, and with Buch ovldont Bin corlty, declared hlB innocenco?" "I do that. If he's as guiltless as ho BayB ho Is, my watchfulness won't hurt him. If he's not, then, Mr. Chal lonor, I'vo but ono duty; to match his strength with my patience. That man is tho ono great mystery of tho day, and mysteries call for solution. At least, thoro's the way a dctectlvo looks at It." "May heaven help your efforts!" "I shall need Its asalstanco," was tho dry rejoinder. Swootwater was by no meanB blind to tho difficulties nvaltlng hlra. CHAPTER XXXII. Tell Me, Tell It Al(, Tho day was n gray ono, tho first of tho kind In weeks. Ab Doris stepped Into the room where Oswald sat, sho felt how much a ray of sun shine would havo encouraged hor and "Deadl" He 8hrleked Out. yot how truly these leaden skies and thla dismal atmosphoro expressed the gloom which soon must fall upon this hopeful, smiling man. Advancing slowly, nnd not nuawer lug because sho did not hear' somo casual remark ot bis, sho took hor stund by his sldo nnd then slowly and with hor eyes on his fnco, sank down upon her knees,' still without Bponk lng, almost without breathing. "What Is tho matter, child? So weary, oh? Nothing worso t'hnn that, I hope." "Aro you qulto strong this morn ing? Strong enough to lUton to my troubles; strong enough to bear your own If Qod sees lit to sond thom?" camo hesitatingly from hor lips as sho wntchod tho offect of each word, In brenthloBs anxiety. "Troubles? There can bo but ono W. TXOSSmi 5TPEET & .SMITH IJOUU, rXEAJD M CO trouble for mo," wns hla unexpected reply. "That I do not fear will not .fear In my hour of happy recovery. So long us Edith la well Doris! Doris! You nlarm mo. Edith Is not 111 not 111?" Tho poor child could not nnswer savo with her sympathetic look nnd hnltlng, tremulous breath; and theso signs, ho would not, could not read, his own words hnd mado Buch an echo In his cars. "111! I cannot Imagine Edith 111. I always seo her In my thoughts, as I saw hor on that day of our first meet ing; a perfect, animated woman with the Joyous look of a glad, harmonious nature. Nothing has over clouded that vision. If sho woro ill I would havo known It. JVo are so truly ono that Doris, Doris, you do not speak. You know tho depth of my love, tho terror of my thoughts. Is Edith 111?" Tho oyes gazing wildly Into his, slowly left his faco and raised them Bolve3 aloft, with a subllmo look Would ho understand? Yes, he un derstood and tho cry which rang from his lips stopped for a moment the beating of more than ono henrt In that little cottage. "Dead!" ho shrieked, and fell back fainting In Ills chair, his HpB still murmuring In soml-unconsclousness, "Dead! dead!" Doris sprang to her feet, thinking of nothing but his wavering, slipping llfo till sho saw his breath return, his oyes refill with light. But tho rest must bo told; his brother exacted it and so did tho sit uation. Further waiting, further hid ing of the truth would be Insupport able after this. But oh, the bitterness ot It! No wonder that sho turned away from thoso fronzlod, wlldly-'dc-mnndlng eyes. "Doris?" Sho trembled and looked behind her. She had not recognized his voice. Had another entered? Had his brother dared No, they wore alono; seoralngly so, that is. She know no one better that they wero not really alone, that witnesses were within hearing, If not within sight. "Doris," ho urged ngain, nnd this timo she turned in his direction and gazed, aghast. If tho volco were strange, what of tho faco which now confronted her. Tho ravages of sick ness had been marked, but they wore nothing to thoso mado In an In stant by a blasting grief. ' She was startled, although expecting much, and could only press his hands while sho waited for the question ho was gathering strength to utter. It was. simple when It came; Just two words. "How long?" Sho answered them as simply: "Just as long ns you havo been HI," said she; then, with no attempt to break the Inevitable chock, Bho wont on: "Miss Challonor was struck dead and you wero taken down with ty phoid on tho solf-samo day." "Struck dead! Why do you ubq that word, struck? Struck dead! she. a young woman. Oh, Doris an acci dent! My darling has been killed In an accident!" "Thoy do not call It accident. Thsy call It what It nover was. What It never was," sho Insisted, pressing him back with frightened hands, as he strove to rise. "Miss Challonor was " How nearly tho word shot had left hor lips. How fiercely above all else, In that harrowing moment had rlstn tho desire to fling tho accusation of that word into tho cars of him who listened from his socrot hldlng-placo, Sho rofrnlned out of compassion for tho man she loved, nnd declared In stead, "Miss Challoner died from a wound; how glvon, why given, no one knows. I had rather havo died my self than havo to toll you this. Oh. Mr. Brothorson, speak, sob, do any thing but" Sho started back, dropping his handB as she did so. With quick Intu ition sho Baw that ho must bo loft to hlmsolf If ho woro to meet this blow without succumbing. Tho body must havo freedom If tho spirit would not go mad. Conscious, or porhaps not conscious, of his release from hor re straining hfcnd, albeit profiting by it, ho staggered to his feet, murmuring that word of doom: "Wound 1 wound! my darling died of a wound! What kind of n wound?" ho suddenly thun dered out. "I cannot understand what you mean by wound. Mako It clear to mo. Mako It clear to me at onco. If l must bear this grief, lot mo know Its whole depth. Leave nothing to my Imagination or I cannot answer for mysolf. Tell It all, Doris." And Doris told him: "Sho was on tho mozzanlno floor of tho hotol whero sho lives. She was soomlngly happy and had beon writing a letter a letter to me which thoy novor forwarded. There wns no one else by but somo strangers good people, whom ono must bollove. Sho was crossing tho floor whon sud denly sho throw up 'hor hands nnd foil. A thin, narrow paper-cutter was In hor graBp; and it flow Into tho i Cnmn not ! r ! I. u .1 J IIUUU. UUl" OUJ BUU DU UUIt IIUrHUll with that cuttor; for whon thoy picked (her up thoy found a wound lu her brenst which that cutter might havo mado." "Edith? novor!" The words woro chokingly snld; ho was swaying, almost falling, but he stendled hlmsolf. "Who says that?" ho asked. V "It was tho coroner's vordlct." "And sho died that way died?" "Immediately." "After writing to you?" "Yes." "What was In tho letter?" "Nothing of threat, thoy say. Only Just cheer nnd expressions of hopo. Just llko tho others, Mr. Brothorson." "And they accuse her of taking her own llfo? Their verdict is a He. They did not know hor." Then, after Bome moments of wild and confused feeling, ho declared, with a desporato effort at self-control: "You said that somo be lieve this. Then there must bo oth ers who do not. What do they say?" "Nothing. Thoy simply feel as you do. They seo no reason for tho net ana no evidence of her having medi tated It. Her father and hor frlenda Insist besides, that sho was incapable of such a horror. Tho mystery of it Is killing us nil; mo above others, for I'vo had to show you a cheerful face, with my brain reeling and my heart like lead in my bosom." She held out her hands. Sho tried to draw his attention to herself; not from any sentiment of egotism, but' to break, If sho could, tho Btraln of these Insupportable horrors whoro so snort a time heforo Hope sang and Life reveled In reawakened JoyB. Perhaps some faint realization of this reached him, for presently he caught her by the hands and bowed his hend upon her shoulder and finally let hor seat him again, boforo ho said: "Do they know of ofmy Interest In this?" "Yes; they know about the two O. B.'s." "Tho two " Ho was on his foet again, but only for a moment; his weakness was greater than his will power. "Orlando and Oswald Brotherson," she explained, lr. answer to his brdk en appeal. "Your brother wrote let ters to her as well as you, and signed them Just as you did, with his Ini tials only. Thes$ lettors were found in her desk, and he was supposed, for a time, to havo been tho author of all that were so signed. But they found out tho difference after awhile. Yours were easily recognizod after they learned there was another O. B. who loved her." The words were plain enough, but tho stricken listener did not tako them In. They carried no meaning to him. How could they? The very Idea sho sought to Impress upon him by this seemingly careless allusion was an incredible one. She found It hor dreadful task to tell him tho hard, bare truth. "Your brother," she said, "was de voted to Miss Challoner, too. Ho even wanted to marry her. I cannot koop back this fact. It is known every where, and by everybody but you." "Orlando?" His lips took an iron ical curve, as he uttered the word. This was a young girl's Imaginative fnncyju him. "Why Orlando never knew her, neeer saw her, nover " "He met her nt Lenox." The namo produced Its effect. Ho stared, made an effort to think, re pented Lenox over to hlmsolf; then suddenly lost hla hold upon tho idea which that word suggested, struggled again for It, seized It In an lnstnnt of madness and shouted out: "Yes, yes, I remember. I sent him there" nnd pnused, his mind blank ngaln. Poor Doris, frightened to hoc very soul, lookqd blindly nbout for help; but sho did mot quit his side; sho did not daro to, for his lips had re opened; tho continuity of his thoughts had returned; ho was going to speak. "I sent him there." Tho words camo In a sort of shout. "I was so hungry to hear of hor and I thought ho might mention her In hla lotter. Insane! Insane! He snw her nnd What's that you said about his loving her? Ho couldn't havo loved her; ho's not ot tho loving sort. Thoy'vo deceived you with strange tales. Thoy'vo deceived tho whole world with fancies and mad dreams. Ho may havo admired hor, but loved her no! or ir he had, ho would havo ro apocted my clalmB." "He did not know thom." A laugh; a laugh which paled Doris' cheek; then his tones grew oven again, memory camo back and ho mut tered faintly: "That 1b true. I said nothing to him. He hnd the right to court hor and ho did, you say; wroto to hor; Imposed himself upon hor, drove her mnd with Importunities Bho was forced to rebuke; and and what else? Thero la something else. Toll mo; I will know nil." Ho waa standing now, hla feeble ness all gone, pasBlon in ovory linea ment and his oyo nllvo and fovorlsh, with emotion. "Toll mo," ho repeat ed, with unrestrained vehemenco. "Tell me nil. Kill mo with Borrow but savo mo from being unJuBt." "Ho wrote hor a. lotter; it fright ened her. Ho followed it up by a visit" Doris pnused; tho Bentcnco hung suspended. She had heard a step a hand on tho door. Orlando had entered the room. CHAPTER XXXIII. Alone. Oswnld had heard nothing, seen nothing. But ho took note of Doris'-' allenco, and turning towarda her in frenzy saw what hnd happened, and so was in a measure prepared for the stern, short sentence which now rang tnrougn the room: "Walt, Miss Scott! you tell my story badly. Lot him listen to mn. From my mouth only shall ho hear tne stern nnd seemingly unnatural part I played In this family tragedy." The faco of Oswald hardened. Thoso pliant features beloved for their gracloua kindliness sot them selves In lines which altered them al most beyond recognition; but bis voice was not without somo of Its nat ural sweetness, as, after a long and hollow look at the other's composed countenance, he abruptly exclaimed: "Speak! I am bound to listen; you aro my brothor." Orlando turned towards Doris. Sho was slipping away. "Don't go," Bald, he. But Bho was gone. Slowly ho turned back. Oswald raised his hand and checked tho words with which he would havo begun his story. "Never mind the beginnings," said he. "Doris has told all that. You saw Miss Challoner in Lenox ad mired her and afterwards wroto hor a threatening letter becauae sho reject ed you." "It Is true. Other men havo fol lowed Just such unworthy impulses and been ashamed and sorry after wards. I was sorry and I was ashamed, and as soon nB mv flrBt anger was over went to tell hor so. But sho mistook my purpose and " "And what?" Orlando hesitated. Even his Iron, nature trembled beforo tho misery he saw a misery ho was, destined to aug ment rather than soothe. With palna altogether out of keeping with hla character, he sought In tho recesses of his darkened mind for words less bitter and less abrupt than thoso which sprang involuntarily to his lips. But ho did not find them. Though ho pitied his brothor and wished to show that he did, nothing but tho Btern language suitable to tho atom fact ho wished to Impart, would leave hla lips. "And ended tho pitiful Btr.uggle of tho moment with ono quick, unpre meditated blow," was what ho said. "Thero is no other explanation pos sible for this act, Oswald. Bitter as it Is for me to acknowledge It, I am thus far guilty of this boloved wom an's death. But, as God hears me, from tho moment I first saw her, to the moment I saw her last, I did not know, nor did I for a moment dread that she was anything to you or to any othor man of my stamp and sta tion. I thought she despised my coun try birth, my mechanical attempts, my lack of aristocratic pretensions and traditions." . "Edith?" , "Now that I know sho had other reasons for her contempt that tho words she wroto wero In robuko to tho brother rather 'than to tho man, I fool ray guilt and doploro my anger. I cannot say more. I should but in sult your grief by any lengthy expres sions of regrot and sorrow." A groan of intolerable anguish from tho sick man's lips, and thon tho quick thrust of his reawakened intel ligence rising superior to 'tho over throw of all his hopes. "For a woman of Edith's principle to sook death in a momont of despera tion, tho provocation must havo beon very great. Toll mo If I'm to hate you through life yea through all eternity or If I must seek In somo unlmag Inablo falluro of my own chnractor or conduct tho cause of her Intolerable despair." "OBwald!" Tho tono was controlling, and yet that of ono strong man to another. "Is it for -ua to read the heart of any woman, leaat ot all of n woman of her susceptibilities nnd keen Inner llfo? Tho wlah to end all comes to some nnturea llko a light ning flash from a clear Bky. It comes, It goes, often without leaving a sign. But if a wenpon chances to bo near (hero it was In hand) then death follows tho lmpulso which, given nn instant of thought, would havo van ished In a back sweep of othor emo tions. Chanco was tho real accessory to this denth by Bulclde. Oswald, lot us realize It aB such and accept our sorrow as a mutual burden and turn to what romalnB to us ot life and labor. Work Is grief's only consols, tlon. Then let ub work." But of all this Onwald had caught but the-one word. (TO BE CONTINUED.) i j Vt II r
