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THE NORTH PLATTE SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE.
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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.)
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