The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-05-17

is such that for the future l shall rely
upon my own judgment" With fine
show of heat he took up his hat and
cane, and with no pretense Of bow
was turning away when he felt the
DOCTORS hand laid not lightly upon his
shoulder, and his stern voice;
Explain yourself, SIR"
"Unless I am much mistaken" he
said, showing his white teeth slightly,
that has been the very thing you re-
fused me permission to do"
"sit down." Holbin was not a man
easily intimidated when conscious that
he held winning cards. He read the
bluff doctor easily, and knew that he
was disturbed.
81 must preface my remarks" he be-
gan, shy the statement that l am not
at liberty to give you the name of my
informant in these matters"
Are you aware, then, that you be-
come responsible should you repeat
them2"
IL am aware of no such rule" said
Holbin, Eat least none that applies TO
me in this instance; am most directly
affected since the circumstances in
volve the good name of Frances Brook
in, Of whom by her fathers will I was
made lifelong protector. l shall de-
fend her to the best OF my ability, but
think some of her people ought to be
willing TO share the responsibility. 1t
must not be forgotten that it is by no
means settled that l shall accept the
propositions of Mr.. Broolin's remark
able will"
THAT. / must confess, had not oc-
Cured to me-" said DIR. Brodnar.
Really 1t has not occurred to you
that a gentleman may not be pur-
chased like so much merchandise? ?"
DO you mean to insinuate, sir, that
you did not seek TO marry Frances
BrooBin?" DR.. Brodnar arose, and the
question burst from him Indignantly;
but, restraining himself, he looked to-
wards the inner door and lowered his
voice, an action that did not escape his
visitors notice.
II instnuate nothing. Ny mother
perhaps made a request in my name,
but without my knowledge or consent.
l have had no chance TO decline the
alliance, were l so disposed. The ar.
rangement, however, seems TO me
an excellent one, and I sincerely
trust that nothing has happened or
will happen to defeat it,"
"1n the name of God, man, what
are you driving at?"
"a man was shot night before last
upon our premises and spirited away,
whether living or dead IT is not
known. My informant thinks he is
living"
who told you such thingT' The
words came almost as a whisper from
the astonished doctor.
"He was shot from window while
in the wing-room which opens into
the garden. He was struck on the
right side of his head"
go onl" said the physician, after
a pause, and making desperate efforts
to be calm. LET us see how far this
wretched informant of yours has
| lied"
Lied? So upon the impulse of the
moment 1, too, believed. But the
fame of woman is sacred, DR.. Brod-
mar, and this morning l went into
that room. Upon the wall In the
rear, u little out of line from the
window to the chair, In which, II is
said, the man who was shot had been
sitting, was a bullet mark. On the
| jagged edges of the hole in the plas-
ter were few hairs and traces of
blood" Holbin unfolded little pack
age upon the table as he spoke. "Place
these under microscope and verify
my statement" Again the doctor
was silent; but the look he gave his
visitor was so passlonately threaten
ing that Holbin paused.
go on!" again the command was
little more than whisper.
There is but one thing more: upon
the table I found this cigar, laid aside
without having been lit"
Have you finished?" Holbin looked
up, uneasy and surprised,
Eyes"
Now what would you have of me?"
81 wish you to find out for me the
name OF the man who was in that
room"
81 will get you his name upon one
condition"
"And that is?"
THAT you win tell me the name
of the woman who fired the shot"
Holbin could not, try as he might,
conceal the start these words pro-
voked.
II do not know of any woman in
the case" he said.
II know that you do"
"DT. Brodnarl"
Holbin sprang to his feet with we'll
affected rage. The doctor continued:
only a woman's tracks marked
the soil under that window at dawn
the morning after that shot was fred.
When I next saw the spot the tracks
had been carefully obliterated" Brod-
mar was still standing and spoke rap
idly, as though he feared that he
could not restrain himself. Suddenly
a bland smile spread over his face
1.-THE fact is" he said, "the shot was