Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-08-15
CHAPTER Y.

CHAPTER X.
Holbin received the negro woman's
report in desperation. Upon tho sec
ond night after, casting aside all
scruples, he went 70 his Others room.
She had not retired. but was busy with
her correspondence, which she put
aside as her son entered the door.
Without seeking 70 read them he saw
Washington, d. Co." upon several
sealed letters, a fact that he recalled
later. The smile Of pleasure which lit
up her severe oountenance disappeared
when she noted the look of anger and
distress on his face.
Well" she said, "are you still dis
satisfied?" 1t was their first meeting
alone since the death of John Brookin.
DO not congratulate yourself too
soon, mother. The game is but half
played out, and we may find that
strong cards are held against u.s."
What do yon mean by that?"
He walked tie room. pausing AZ
times before her as she sat in her arm
chair. Her black eyes followed him.
Her white face was frozen into an i'm
penetrable mask. He described the
occurrences of the last few days. and
made n clean breast of il all, reserving
only certain facts in connection with
his experience with Louise. among
which was the existence of child
These reservations he mentally classed
as irrelevant
1t is not likely that Raymond's con-
fessions greatly surprised his mother.
She was, in fact, already familiar with
most of his history. The disturbing
elements of his statement were the
dangerous character Of Louise and the
astounding circumstances of the
shooting. Yet these drew from Mrs.
Brookin 10 comment, no evidence of
excitement or dismay. She regarded
her son silently and sternly for few
moments, then dropped into a chair.
A flush at length overspread her white
face. Raymond knew that IL was the
advance wave of tide Of anger and
hesitated when she ordered him to ring
the bell. She arose calmly. and cross
ing the room pulled the bell cord as
deliberately as though to summon her
carriage A few minutes after, during
which time she stood rigidly looking
down on her son, William, the butler.
appeared.
go to DR.. Brodnar Immediately"
she said. land tell him to come to me;
that Miss Frances is desperately ILL.,
"Mother!"
She waved the servant away and
turned upon her son with unrestrained
anger. do you think that fear him?
Do you think that shall sit quietly by
and let him introduce people into this
house-into my pdaughter's room
in the night and entangls us in his
plots? Oh, that I were a mani" She
was now a Gagged tigress. and giving
freedom to long-suppressed fury. at
would be nothing less than the cow
hide!"
"You forget Frances"
Il forget nothing! realize, on the
contrary, sir. that both Frances and
her doctor are at my mercy now. He
dare not betrsy her! And this comes
of your shameful dallying with that
woman-you!-my son!-the puppet,
the plaything the slave of a"
Wait, mother! You forget your
self, at least-and me. Iamnot a child.
A little more, and l shall leave this
house not to enter it again. Be care
full what you say-snd be careful of
Frances. Prove her guilty OF any
crime and You defeat your own plans"
No amount of pleading, no love or
afection on the part of her boy. could
have swayed the tempestuous woman
as quickly as open defiance. In such mo-
ments he resembled the one human be-
ing whose fiery temper and relentless
brutality had ever awed her. Raw
mond played his part well You shall
not denounce me for one infamy only
TO link me to another"
IF you had shown such spirit with
Brodnar," she said, bitterly.
IF / had! Words-blows-a duel!
Then the truth would have come out.
To accept the responsibilities of the
will afterwards would be contempt-
ible. No, mother, you women see but
one side of such matter. What would
become of us should Louise make her
eelf known? Start the police upon
this matter, and they will ferret her
out"
why have you not taken her away?
You have been imprudent in delaying
that"
Nervous prostration. I have
nurse with her. Tomorrow, if she
may travel, l shall get her out of the
city. For Gods sake give me time to
do that. You have no idea what YOU
are risking"
doctor out, ma'am." said William,
returning at this moment. Young
doctor say he will SEN i'm roun' des
soon as he come back-dere now! front
do bell ringin' dis minute like some
body tryin' to pull it tru' de do. OATS
de doctor, ev'ytime."
stand behind the portiere in nv
dressing-room," said the mother to her
son, who was preparing to depart,
and under no circumstances let yonr-
self be seem" Almost Immediately
DR.. Brodnar entered the room.
you sent for me madam" he began.
Where is Frances?"
Asleep, ! suppose. I have been
guilty of a fiction, but my Intentions
are good. DR. Brodnar. who was the
man you took from my house wounded,
and for what purpose was he here? I
demand an instant answer"
I