The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-03-22

snow OF neat ne TOOK up MS nat ana
cane, and with no pretense of a bow
was turning away when he felt the
Doctors hand laid not lightly upon his
shoulder. and his stern voice;
Explain yourself sir"
UNLESS l 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." Holbiu was not a man
easily intimidated when conscious that
he held winning cards. He read the
bluff doctor easily, aud knew that he
was disturbed.
81 must preface my remarks he be-
gan. 'by the statement that 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
them? ?"
81 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
yolve the good name of Frances Brook
in, of whom by her fathers will was
made a lifelong protector. / shall de.
fend her to the best of my ability, but
think some of her people ought to be
willing to share the possibility. 1t
q must not be forgotten that It is by no
means settled that / shall accept the
propositions of Mr.. Brookin's remark
able will"
THAT. must confess, had not oc-
Cured to me-" said DR.. Brodnar.
Really? 1t has not occurred to you
chat 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
Brookin?" DR.. Brodnar arose, and the
question burst from him Indignantly;
but, restraining himself, he looked to-
wards the inner door and lowered his
5 voice, an action that did not escape his
. visitors notice.
81 insinuate nothing. My mother
4 perhaps made a request in my name.
l but without my knowledge or consent.
5 | have had no chance to decline the
slliance. were ] SO disposed The ar.
r rangement, however, seems to me-
! an excellent one, and | sincerely
. trust that nothing has happened OF
; will happen to defeat it,"
e In the name Of God, man, what
are you driving at?"
a "A man was shot night before last
n upon our premises and spirited away
d whether living or dead it is not
s known. My informant thinks he is
: living"
+ "Who told you such thing?" The
{ words came almost as a whisper from
l. the astonished doctor.
"He was shot from a window while
in the wing-room which opens into
:, the garden. He was struck on the
right side of his head"
:. go on!" said the physician, after
:. a pause, and making desperate efforts
to be calm. Let us see how far thi!
wretched informant of yours has
= lied"
;. Lied? So upon the impulse of the
O moment l, too, believed. But the
C fame of a woman is sacred DR.. Brod
4 mar, and this morning l went into
a that room. Upon the wall in the
E. rear, little out of line from the
= window to the chair, in which, it i:
o. said, the man who was shot had beer
4 sitting, was a bullet mark. On thu
q jagged edges of the hole in the plas
o ter were a few hairs and traces o
II blood" Holbin unfolded little pack
age upon the table as he spoke. "Plac'
n these under a microscope and verif,
d my statement" Again the docto
n was silent; but the look he gave hi
lr visitor was so passionately threaten
It ing that Holbin paused.
Il go on!" again the command wa
s little more than a whisper.
It "There is but one thing more: upol
le the table | found this cigar, laid asid
without having been ~"
le "Have you fnished?" Holbin locke
re up, uneasy and surprised.
t. "Yes."
t. ''Now what would you have of me
h. 81 wish you to find out for me tn
We name of the man who was in tina
he room"
ii 81 will get you his name upon on
It, condition"
h, And that is?"
m "That you will tell me the nam
e of the woman who fired the shot"
he Holbin could not, try as he nigh
er conceal the start these words PR
ld voked.
g 81 do not know of any woman i
he the case" he said.
tn 81 know that you do"
'c- "Dr. Brodnar!"
~ Holbin sprang to his feet with wei
he affected rage. The doctor continued
raj only a v0oman's tracks marke
the soil under that window at daw
H. the morning after that shot was fire
uS When | next saw the spot the tract
III had been carefully obliterated." Bro
pS' mar was still standing and spoke IA
10. idly, as though he feared that
: could not restrain himself. Sudden
i'' bland smile spread over his fac
nc The fact is" he said, 'the shot W
fred at me. Does that surprise you
va Holbin's face showed that IL did. ct
,a' final attack Of which Mr.. Brook
tls died" continued the doctor, was m