The Iola register., 1901-04-26

rapluiy. buL III Juo empty nOuTs given
TO him for recovery he reviewed his late
experience, and with small comfort for
himself. Carried away by sentiment,
he had permitted himself to involve
seriously young girl intrusted to his
care. He had acted like a sentimental
boy, he told himself, rather than as a
man coolly transacting piece of busi-
ness TO which a friend had commits
stoned hm. Evidently the whole mat
ter hinged upon the succession Of prop
erty, and he was simply an instru-
ment. But he had suffered himself TO
be swept along by sentiment, and had
| declared his love for q girl altogether
unknown to him-indeed, unseen. In
conclusion, somebody had put a bullet
through his head, the only mistake
being in the matter of aim. He had re-
ceived no explanation from Brodnar
other than that an error had cost him
the wound. There was a multitude of
apologies, the tenderest of care-and
silence. But one day he arose and
dressed himself and, barring slight
dizziness of head, found the world
about as he had left It. And then Brod-
mar told him of such facts as he him
self had knowledge.
"You we're shot from window by
some one who saw you strike a match,
my dear fellow, and who didn't care
whether your eyes were closed or not"
he said.
but who was the assailant-and
what was the object2"
"Under the window found tracks,
the track of woman's number two
shoes, clear cut and sufficiently deep
to suggest that the wearer was in all
probability a settled woman. And yet
n heavy woman's foot would not have
been so trim. There you have it ALL"
"Why should she have been there,
and why should she have shot me?"
my dear fellow, ask me who wrote
Shakespeare and the letters of Junius.
Frankly, know nothing on earth about
this shooting beyond the simple fact
Perhaps the shot was not aimed at
you" Somers reflected for a moment
Possibly you are correct in the sug.
gestion. But If you, with all the in
formation you have and knowledge oi
these people, are AZ sea, I have nc
chance 10 unravel the mystery. Evi
IDENTIFY my best plan is my first plan-tc
leave at once. Some one lives who saw
mo in that room. The sooner go now
the bother for the good Of all Only
would have you tell me again-if / mi ay
venture thai faF-if my young friend
is weN. and understands that my re-
osvery 10 accomplished"
''Sks n we'll" said Brodnsr, with
some eonstrsint and underestimate"
Lock here Francis, the truth IA,
: said sOmsns. rising, II am not fond O.
mystery. proposed to keep my prom
ise ana shsil. but, man, came near be
!, ing involved In o lifelong sffection thai
,, nagAt. azd aAk you now n am tc
leave hore with no further fntorms
ton"
: "Yes," said Brodnsr, otherwise yo,
> would defeat the object of the whel,
plan. Nothing could be more unfor
tunate for the girl than that you should
1 see her again or knowledge of thai
marriage get abroad"
: $50 be it," said Somers, sadly. &"
keep my promise. Tonight we sa!
good-by." Brodnar sat. moodily silent
drumming upon his desk. his eyes upor
., the floor. Suddenly he stood erect.
: "Somers, l owe you something, ow,
you more than l may ever be able tC
repay shall tell you this much, anC
: let you decide for the woman"
"A telegram, doctor, for Mr.. r. Som.
ers-your care" A boy had entered
, hurriedly and stood waiting. someri
took the message from the doctor
hand, and, the messenger vanishing
he read aloud
Report in person Immediately to this Of
Ace. STANTON
!. Secretary of War"
Brodnar looked steadily into the glad
D bright face of his friend, who was upol
element.
"Will you report there?"
"Will ~ II Is the dream of my life
y r!-but-but-you were say
d ing"
Nothing"
"I don't understand you, Frank"
q "No member of the family, Dick, yo,
:. have entered, ever drew sword agains
Virginia. You must choose betweel
u the woman and"
"My country? Is that it? HOY
{ would you choose, Frank?" Brodna
u was silent, looking away. Take thi
message TO her for me, my friend; ii
X the last request, perhaps, | shall eve
{ make to you"
u "Dick-"
Say to her that Richard Somer
passes out of her life to serve his coun
Is try. His duty done, please God, an
& she needs his arm. he viii follow he
e TO tho end of the earth, Say that 70
O me; and then, farewell"
II CIIAPTE" ~.
.e The emorning sun s." "gf'~ough III
h eastern window of q Lu'el ON ahon
a. full upon the face of a woman who la
a, sleeping there. She was dressed as TO
If the street, but her hair was loose an
h, fell about her shoulders in cleaning
D. golden masses. Even in the trvini