The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-08-04
CHAPTER XVIII.
stormy.

Mrs WillOughby conveyed to Frances
OMeara'S own apartments in the man
sion; and there the poor old lady soon
recovered consciousness, but not Sc
renity of mind.
Mrs. Willoughby's first words on her
recovery were to ask for her grandson;
and she was told that he had left the
house, and so she consented to remain
with Frances for awhile and to relate
to the amazed young girl the strange
story of Sydney'S birth and parentage.
And having heard. hope returned to
Frances. Sydney's innocence, she was
certain, would soon be made apparent.
Sir Loghlen would acknowledge his
son, and then
And then, Frances blushed deeply,
and hid her face on Mrs. WillOughby'S
shoulder
Youth is sanguine, and Mrs. Will
loughby, in her old age, could not now
share the hope which had come to
Frances.
And, indeed, there was, as yet, but
little promise of the happy crisis which
the young and buoyant mind of
Frances had now imagined
Sir Loghlen was the victim of a tor
ture which was every hour increasing.
His heart was yearning to embrace his
son. He would have given worlds to .
believe that Sydney was innocent; and,
reason with himeslf how and often as
he might, arrived always at the conclu-
sion that his son was guilty.
'Sir Loghlen O'Meara, my father!"
Sydney was again and again repeat
ing to himself, and vainly taxing his
almost frenzied brain for the solution
of q mystery which appeared to him
as some wild dream.
Sydney had said, eff my father were
here he would believe mer And his
father had been there, and, more stern
~, more harshly than all others, had
said to him. Il do not believe your
And he had known that Sydney was
his son!
And as thus the wretched young man
reflected, he groaned aloud and prayed
for death to snatch him from the tor
ture and the obloquy he had lost forti-
tude longer TO endure.
The father. who scorned him living,
would, perhaps, pity him in his grave!
And would not heaven pardon nm
if he should lay hands on his own life?
And Sir Loghlen would be less cruel
to his sons memory.
"NIy life is destroyed; | have no
longer strength to support this unmer-
y
self: and then, starting to his feet, ex-
claimed aloud, with a determination to
which despair had wrought him, Yes,
l will dien'
And Tony, who at that moment came
scampering into the room, heard the
exclamation, and painting for breath,
said, every well, Sydney-only If you
are going that road, l must travel with
you!"
Tony, returning as he had promised,
and at his utmost speed to the bafo-
nets mansion, had seized the knockef
and had Numbered at the door till it
was opened by the hall porter.
That fat and elderly gentleman haa
had rather too much of Tony already,
and $40 now Stroye to thrust him back
into the street.
But the contest was unequal and
lasted not long, for Tony, using
was carrying as a weapon of
offense, knocked down with 1t the port
ly porter. and jumping over his pros
trate form. ran up the grand staircase
as rapidly as he had before descended
1T.
Brother, brother!' demonstrated
Tony, cit would be a cowardly act to
kill yourself; but if you do it SO Will l.
| will be coward, too"
"But wherefore should you die?'
cried Sydney distractedly. SIS your
life condemned? Are you oyerWhelm-
ed beneath an odiouS slspiclon-be-
meath an unjust accusation which
nothing can Destroy!
.Nothing! demanded Tony; and !
then, laughing and crying at the same
time, ooh, you ungrateful fellow, he
continued, ''you have doubted, then,
my epromise to discover the true Grim
inal-have doubted, while | have been
stirring heaven and earth for your
happiness. and for that poor old grand
mother! And you would kill yourself
ct the moment that save you!
.sSave mev' echoed Sydney, but III
tome of incredulity.
s'Yes," exclaimed Tony, 1--WE shall
have the culprits."
Sydney could not speak; but his eyes
glared the question his lips had not the
power to utter.
az have one of the rascals already
beneath my hands, pursued Tony;
"bnt he denies everything; but l will
make him tell different story pres
emily. Look here, Sydney"
And Tony placed on the table the
hook he had now brought, turned over
its leaves until he came to one which
he had marked. Look here, Sydney
What will the gentleman say when
show him his name here III Mr. spring
ford's sale book p
And then placing his finger on the
page, he continued: -.
saDhat'S the name, brotherhood II.
And the name to which Tony was
pointing Sydney read, and recoiied,
terrified, and fixed his beWildered look