The Iola register., 1901-06-21
Copyrirht e by b. Idppincott Company rights

we are ReIJlnR 10 tne nedrt OF Ine
mystery" she said. "Read this one"
Raymond read in silence first, and
then, leaning forward, excitedly read
aloud
GO to the girl married at your request
and say death has dissolved the bond.
Break the news to her as gently as pos
sible, for | have been vain enough to be-
neve that the child loves me. You pre-
pared the way by your partiality, and her
loneliness and excess of gratitude accom-
plished the rest. Let me confess that l
have been foolish enough to love her and
to dream that some day you would permit
me to re turn and openly seek her out But
this cursed war has killed my dream, Brod-
mar, and II this letter reaches you, II Will
be after it has killed your friend also! Go
TO her and say that since he met her Rich
ard Somers has loved her as man loves
but once"
There were other lines dealing with
the friendship between the two men
while in Paris and containing a tender
farewell.
at is now plain to me-" he said. "The
meddlesome scoundrel Brodnar is the
author of the whole plot!" Mrs. Brook
in folded the letters into their places.
Her hands were without tremor.
Let them keep their secret. TO in
form them is to arm them. We will
continue to be-their dupes. Richard
Somers may not be living when Fran
ces reaches twenty-one; who can tell?
The man who lost those letters has, l
suppose, ere this made a full report"
The man who lost the letters, moth
er, has reported elsewhere with a bu.-
let through his heart"
raymond"
"What does it matter? We are kill
ing them in front of our lines every
day. One behind counts for little. He
had pass; l needed it. l need it now
more than ever" The womans face
glowed with sudden light.
You are too rash, my boy; take no
steps before consulting me. In the
meantime these papers have no value
for u.s. Burn them, burn them now!
But no! give me the letter to Brod-
mar; it may be valuable some day as
evidence that Richard Somers is
dead" One by one Holbin held the
others over lighted matches and saw
them vanish into cinders. His moth
er placed her hand upon his shoulder.
nay luOHN, you are dBdlh piahhlhs =
to cross the lines"
81 know what l am doingl Do not
seek to influence me-"
"What do you mean"
"There is no time for explanation,
nor is there any need, for you already
understand. 1t is sufficient to say
that am going across the lines for
more than one purpose now"
'There are all sorts Of people in
an army" she said; "I have seen II
stated that many officers killed in
battle are shot from behind"
That is one," he replied, "and men
who serve their country in time OF
war are forgiven many things. 1 am
In possession of that which will Sc.
cure for me a review of my case and
restore to me my commission, l have
offered my sword to the confederacy
once; the next time l will offer II
point firstl"
"You have valuable informa ton fo1
sale. Is that what you mean? &c
slow upon that line; If you draw your
sword against Virginia openly you
sacrifice all interests here. Better be
a friend to both sides, and when you
come back with proofs that Richard
Somers 10 really dead all may yet
be well. II she is free at q the will
is binding, even if it were held that
she has not already sacrificed her in.
terest."
"Come what may" he said, pas
sionately, while live Brodnar shall
never see Frances Brooldn the wife
In truth of Richard Somers."
'Nor while 1 live" said his mother;
'there is my hand upon It,"
keep out of it, mother, keep out
or you will regret it'll" said tn,
wretched man.
"Ungrateful boy! Where is your
promise? Do you repudiate that
Have you forgotten your danger?"
"No, but she shall not suffer a.
your hands. Leave her to me. And
mother, If you ever find us dead to
gether in that room downstairs, hav,
no thought of me. The man who hai
neither love nor revenge has moth
ing to live for."N He seized his hat anC
rushed from her presence.