The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-03-21

even heard her mention the name OF
Archibald yes am certain of it.
And pray, Brenda, Keep silent. Say
nothing whatever. leaving all to me, and
and forgiving me-. ] hope. Is IL do
not deserve to be- forgiven!'
For answer Brenda i~mpetuously threw
both arms around her brothers neck.
''Oh. Louis. she cried, Heaven knows
that I've hated to tell you these thingsl
| have no wish to quarrel with your wife.
| should so have loved her. Louis, If only
but never mind. You have my prom
Use. And yet if Natalie should attack
me ! can't be sure just how calmly |
shall receive her."
But Natalie made no attack. What
ever o passed between herself and
Louis was spoken behind closed doors.
She will tell him some falsehood.
no doubt" unused Brenda, land he will
believe it and turn once more against
me-" For W or three days poor Brenda
waited some such development. but none
came. Louis failed to give her the
slightest confidence on the subject Of his
wife's avowals. though an interview Of
this kind was eagerly and longingly e.
pected. Louis appearance and deport-
ment were meanwhile detection itself.
he showed no longer a sign Of fondness
toward Natalie, and Brenda perceived
that her sister-in. law labored under Wis
ible annoyance or worriment. it was
hard to tell precisely which.
Shortly after dinner time one sultry,
lifeless evening u servant anne to Bren-
da and told her that Mr.. Bond had sud-
denly been taken very i'll. Hurrying to
her brothers apartment Brenda found
him stretched on a sofa near one of the
windows. looking pale as death. His
wife sat beside him, chatting n Of his
hands between her own, and seeming to
be overwhelmed by distress.
It's his heart" she whispered to
Brenda. He has had one or two ILL.,
nesses like this before. They are usually
followed by fa~intness, just as you see,
though this is no more severe than any
other that has yet visited him."
Il shall send at once for DR.. South
gate" said Brenda. with decision. She
promptly went toward a bell and rang it.
Natalie looked ut her with an abrupt,
challenging stare. Louis does not need
a doctor" she said. He is better now.
Besides" she went on with an obstinacy
that bore strange contrast to her former
mien of grief. "a rural doctor like that
might do him more harm than good.
Tomorrow, if he is strong enough, we
will so to town and see some physician
of authority"
Brenda gave u slight sarcastic smile.
Il disagree with you," she said, land
shall send for DR.. Southgate."
Natalie rose haughtily from the chair
beside her husband you shall not set
your will against mine," she said. You
are always delighting in opposite views
to my own. Ever since | married Louis
you have seen fit to treat me with either
concealed OF open insult"
Just then Louis opened his dark eyes
and Brenda saw. as they fixed themselves
on hers, that they burned like diamonds.
Louis" she exclaimed, fastening to-
ward him: 'do not you sanction my
seAding for DR.. Southgate.'
NO." he answered. But while Brenda
started back in despair at this unwel-
come reply he put forth his hand with
q slight, unmistakable motion. Brenda
at once seized the hand between both her
own and sank down ut his side.
She perceived the next instant that he
was more i'll than she had ever seen him
Across Brenda's shoulder he looked at
his wife.
Natalie" he said, in a voice that was
husky. and yet contained a ring of com
mand, Il wish to speak "a few words
with my sister. You yourself can go
and tell them that the bell which | heard
Brenda ring need not be answered. Do
you understand me? lhope that you do"
Those last two brief sentences had not
. sign of menace. and yet there was
something in their low emphasis that
made the color slip from Natalie's cheeks.
"Dear Louis" she broke forth u mo.
ment afterward. however in tender,
persuasive tones. you had best not
talk with any one this evening! To
morrow
"Do as | desire you," Louis inter.
rupteu. his voice WdS uOC ulucu dDONe
a whisper, but Brenda recoiled frou
him as she heard it, so unlike his usua,
self did it seem, so compelling, so com
mandant, and yet so terribly tranquil.
Natalie went to one Of the doors and
slowly opened it. She disappeared slow
ly, too, as if some magnetic form were
insisting upon the exit.
Louis hand trembled a little now il
Brenda's hold. But oon it lay there
quite still again. He presently spoke, but
as if with intentional caution against 9
possible listener. Brenda, leaning for
ward so that his breath almost swept
her cheeks. was just able to hear each
word as it fell from his pale and slightly
twitching lips.
my sister, have wronged you very
much. Yes-I see this-now, when death
has laid hold of me and there may be
only a few hours left me to live. Brenda
don't start like that-iti is nothing, thii
change We call death. But to die as