The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-09-21
SHaRe'!sis TIE
S'4es s. A1NE'
KS HARRY 9'''N"sE Eb,plA sD'
Copyright, 1899. by ]. B. Lippincott Com.
pany. All rights reserved.
CHAPTER VIII.


Leaving the physicians office, Holbin
made his way through the streets,
where excited crowds were discussing
the approaching conflict. He went to
his room. 1t is true he had gained no
profitable information concerning the
unknown, yet-and the thought con-
soled him to some extent-he had made
two important discoveries: Brodnar
was his enemy, and the shooting had
really occurred. But who was the man.
and why should Brodnar seek to shield
him? For the first time then it dawned
upon Holbin that Brodnar was the
friend who came to the rescue of the
wounded man and bore him away.
Everything corroborated Louise, and
If Louise spoke from clear memory,
then Frances had been observed ten
DERBY parting from the man she loved.
This mental conclusion filled him with
rage, despite the fact that he did not
and could not believe the girl guilty of
serious error. Common sense told him
also that Brodnar would not have been
a party to scandal and the protector
of guilty participant. 1t was bad
hour that Holbin gave to his dilemma
in the privacy of his own room. In
his doubt and distress he thought often
of his mother, who had Richmond So
ciety at her finger ends, and whose
clear, incisive mind could pierce the
mystery if it could be pierced. But he
hesitated at this stage. There were
other secrets besides that which bafded
him, and he was not prepared to admit
the presence of Louise in Richmond.
But why not Frances? No explana-
tons were necessary there; and she
was young and, of course, easily
frightened. He went at once to her
room, and upon the plea of urgent
necessity forced his way in. He found
her with her cheeks wet with tears and
instantly full Of resentment. She re-
NAMED standing while he was in the
room.
II have . matter of great importance,
Frances, to discuss with you in private,
and much as dislike TO be guilty of in
trusion there seems to be no help for
it." She had regained her calmness by
desperate effort.
ITO you, Mr.. Holbin,1 am always Misc
Brookin, and there cannot possibly be
any subject in which we are jointly in
terested 80 important al to necessitate
immediate discussion"
II am sorry if l shall appear abrupt"
he said, "but there is subject, and
there is no time to waste. Night BE-
fore last man sat in this chair, you
kneeled in front of him, and some ono
fired through the window, wounding
him in the head. The ball glanced into
the plastering back there, and the man
was carried away by DR.. Brodnar, who
is now treating him in his rooms. de-
mand the name of that man and your
reasons for admitting him into this
house."
"Mr. Holbin!"
Frances, although forewarned, was
but a girl, and could not keep the tell
tale blood from her face.
"Do not attempt to deceive me. Give
me the name and your reasons"
"By what right do you demand this,
sir?" Her voice steadied as she looked
him fearlessly in the eyes.
"By the right which your fathers
will confers. For if you take one course
under that will, this property is his
widows, my mothers; and if you take
the other
"In the meantime" she said, coldly,
II have several years in which to de-
eide, and during those years neither
you nor your mother can drive me
from this house."
"Drive you, Frances!"
"Miss Brookin!"
"Come, this is folly! I am, whether
willing or unwilling, the present head
of this family, or at least this house.
hold. All Richmond will hold me re-
sponsibae for everything that happens
here contrary to propricty, and must
insist that you explain this most re-
markable occurrence. Do not force
me to ask assistance of the police, and
thus make the matter public" The
girl did not finch.
II am not afraid that you will do
that, Mr.. Holbin; you have too much at
stake. DIR. Brodnar, besides, has told
you that he was in this room, and
Richmond will want to know why, if
there is anything wrong afoot, you do
not hold him responsible. No one has
been in this room-until now-except
by my consent, and if any crime has
been committed, the criminals are
probably better known to you than
anyone else. l am totally in the dark;
l have no idea why anyone, especially
woman, should attempt to shoot a
friend of mine here"
ga woman! Who told you woman
did it,"
"My own eyes. l saw her tracks; and
now, sir, who told you? Was it the
woman?"
Holbin laughed silently.
"You play that as though it were
trump" he said. perhaps no woman'a
tracks have ever been there but yours
1t is your garden"
"Only, l saw them before made any
tracks there" she said, quietly.
II don't question your honesty, Mist
Brookin, but others might; and if peo'
pie were disposed to judge you kindly
they would simply suggest that you
had a powerful motive" To this she
disdained reply She had picked up
Brodnar's letter from the table ant
moved away, seeing which he said per.
sistently: "You will please answer my
question. l dislike greatly to annoy
you, but my duty is imperative. You,
secret will be safe with me; and