The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-07-04

answered. smiling. II think I Am 4 little
afraid o. feelings that last for 4 Efe-
tint"
few DAYS later John Gssser, found
himself seated by Airiam's side At 81,
James ball Nine BeauIieu had Passed
.nto her seat first. followed By her caugh-
.er ara John sonnc himself talking 10
the latter with less fear OF interruption
thar he had ever known before. He was
so absorbed that he had alr,cs, forgotten
Nm. Beaultea's presence until q startled
exclamation from Miriam called his at
tent on TO her. He saw at once tina. she
APPEARED to have been taken suddenly Ill
Her face ard lips we're coloriess. ard she
was icokin.s as Z about to faint Miriam
was asking her 20 come out OF the heated
atmosphere OF the han.
Nr7e BeaRIieu shook her head At that
instant she caught Johns anxious glance
and as she 6id 80 her eyes flashed, and
her .olor came back with q rush
II: is nothing. she said. drawing her
self Up Take no notice Of ne They are
Just going 70 begin.
Thinking Il best TO appear uneoncefned
John sat down again and opened his pro-
graIrns. CHANGING over il mechanically
his eve was caught by the nam OF the
interested. She was going TO sing. What.
What was she going 10 sing.
In letters clear-horribly distinct-he
read the title OF Nine. Beauiieus sor-
and against II bis fathers name in full
Francis Hamilton Brooke For an instant
he was stupe6ed. Then everything came
horne TO hin-the temporary disappear
anee OF the manuscript, his fathers guilty
air in returning il. and the motive OF it
all As he recalled each circumstance ne
heard Miriam whispering TO him She
was pointing 20 the programme. and look
ed frightened.
What does II mean? Is il mothers
song Who has done it~'
Gilbert looked into her eyes. She was
close 10 hin.-closer than she had ever
been hetore--yet there was a gulf be-
tween them that seemed az II 1t could
never be bridged
ut Is your mothers song" he said,
land my father has done It" He could not
bear 10 hear the song again. still less to
face further explanation and questioning.
and II another moment he had slipped
awat.
Haven't l done enough all these
years." he said TO himself, as he went
rapidly through the streets. Haven't
helped him. housed aim. paid his debts?
! kept nothing from him. He might have
left nls nv honor"
He strobe or recklessly. His heart was
SO full Of shame and anger that he was
conscious Of nothing but furious desire
TO meet tha man who had done this shame
full thing. He reached mis- fathers house
with sentiments in his breast such as few
have had the misfortune TO entertain to-
wards their parents
mi. Brooke has gone. Gone to the Con-
tincn." the untidy servant who waited on
his father announced. with an air of i'm
porta Gee. But he left a letter for YOU
sir. Ii, case you called. in nis room"
Il will come in Gilbert said. You
need not wait"
he tore the letter open and glanced
through It. 1t Was short and TO the point:
Dear old Mortality: Don't be nervous
Your friend, Nine. Beaulieu won't prose
cute. Accept my tharks for your discov-
cry. and don't be hard upon your poor old
DAD"
John stared blankiy at the paper. His
mood had changed. and he felt too crush
ed 10 be angry.
''Wen" he said. 81 suppose i must 70
now and see Nine. Beaul,eu.' And to
Nine. Beaulieu he went
He had vaguely thought out TO himself
a few phrases OF apology and contrition.
but they were driven from his mind by the
UNEXPECTED words with which she greeted
him.
And go you are Hamilton Brooke's son,
Why aid You come here TO deceive me I'M
der a false name? To think that should
have trusted you-trusted your
You knew him. faltered John
Knew him. she cried, ali the passion
ate energy Of her nature burstin~ forth.
Knew him. l tell you he loved me- yes
he loved me then: and he wrote that song
for ne. II vas mine, mine. The only
thing left me from the storm that wreck
ed M life. And now-it has been stolen