The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-04-19


ment that decision was reached the
card of Mrs. Broolin was brought 10
her room-complete, because not only
was the visit of this lady a most as.
touishing thing, but upon that card
was a sign for which she was instruct.
ed to look in every instance-two peri.
DDS following the name. The meaning
OF the two periods was that the visitor
mad message to be sent by word of
mouth only and that she might be
trusted.
by what means the visitor knew OF
her Louise was not informed; but she
had been given a name and directed to
register under it, and she readily
guessed. She at once said, after the
formal greetings were over:
II perceive, madam, that your
mourning has reached the second pe-
Rod" The visitor moved her chair
close and made a statement. carefully
worded, of considerable length, and
this Louise was required to repeat over
and over until its main points were
fixed in mind. 1t related 10 a cabinet
meeting of the day before. Mrs.
Brookin then offered a few comments
upon the weather and the unfortunate
war and would have arisen. but Louise
detained her. She said, bending over
her:
You have a son in the war DEPART
ment who is in great danger. and his
indiscretion has endangered you and
our whole system"
"Lower!-speak lower, for Gods
sake!"
He has grossly deceived and
Nronged woman named Louise, aud
mas been rash enough to let her into
his and your secrets"
Mrs. Brookin was almost unable to
articulate; the other handed her
glass of water.
Where is she-this Louise?" she
asked then.
Madam, she stands before YOU"
Louise had then and :here a part OF
her revenge; the elder woman. in spite
of all her experience, gave way to .
sudden panic. But only few moments
was she absolutely helpless. Habit and
the calm face before her restored her
presence of mind.
What is it we can do for this woman
who has been so badly treated? She
has no cause to doubt me. Tell me
how l may serve her" Her voice was
calm and insinuatingly conciliatory.
She demands a public marriage,
madam. Until this year she has be-
lieved herself less than the legal wife
Of Raymond Holbin, though God knows
she never intended to be less than that.
She was his wife abroad, openly &C.
knowledged as such, and now she has
proof of that fact-a bsolute, undoubt-
ed proof of the highest character
atfidavits of acquaintance, registers.
letters addressed to her in his own
handwriting and photographs. All
this mass of evidence is properly GER
titled to in duplicate and she has one
copy of each in the hands of her law
yers in Washington and one copy here.
Madam, your son has lived with this
woman as his acknowledged wife, and
l am assured that under Virginia law
she is his wife and would inherit his
estate"
"Ah! She wishes money!"
"No. She wishes to have her child
restored
Her child? Raymond's child?"
Alas, madam, one word answers
you-yes!"
He has not told me this" said the
mother. st is all that he had left to
tell; his life has been a great, pain
full disappointment to me.'
at is likely that he has not told you
other things He is preparing for
transmission information which he
thinks is good for vast sum of money;
and there is the trouble, for / believe
as you sit before me. madam, that,
having given me his sacred promise,
his sworn promise to send it by Louise
join her later and right all her wrongs,
he is really planning to desert her
again, And in that event, madam, he
would leave a desperate woman be-
hind"
What could such woman do then Z?
Who would believe her-a self-con-
fessed spy?"
THAT thought has already impressed
me deeply. | am satisfied now that
the woman's safest plan is to see that
he doesn't leave until he has met her
demands. And, madam, you have the
power to control him. At six o'clock,
unless l see you both earlier, | shall
address an anonymous communica-
ton"
"Will you take tea with us at six, in
stead-in my own apartments? l
think that better"
AT six then. / like the ideal"
ITO BE Continued