The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-09-05
Copyright. 1870. by :. D. Llppincott Com
pany. All rights reserved.
CHAPTER II.-CoSrlNuEp.

Uuu tOUipitcNtioU W niS trptcitt 't"'N
ure, Joe, the driver.
800 and bring your mother" he said,
quickly, MS he lifted the unconscious
Somers from the carriage In front OF
his Office. "Don't lose one second!
Keep your mouth shut" Joe was out
Of hearing before the doctor reached
his operating-room. The doctors as
sistant. half dressed, appeared quick
ly. Somcrs was stretched upon
table, and his wound critically exam
lned. The bullet had entered over and
behind the right ear, and the side OF
his head was clotted with blood. A
second wound an inch farther back
became visible as the blood was washed
away, but n probe carefully inserted
In the forward wound came out of
thc other, touching the skull In pass
ing. There was no particle OF brain
matter In the blood.
"Syncopc from concussion," snid
Brodnar. "watch him carefully until
I return and do not permit him TO
speak" The sound Of wheels approach
ing caused him to descend the steps
three at u time. lie pressed back the
aged negro woman who was dismount-
ing.
"ro the same place, Joe! Hurry!"
he said. and the door ciased.
The woman SO hastily secured was
none other than the "mammy" who
had looked after the welfare Of Frances
since infancy. She had been encour-
aged to absent herself for the night.
Trained under the old regime, with a
sense OF proprietorship In her old mis-
tress and daughter, with a deep and
impregnable pride In the family, she
needed no cautioning. Nevertheless
DIR. Brodnar said as they entered 81
lently the deserted yard:
sThere has been an accident, nam
my. Ask no questions and answer
none. Permit nobody TO see your
young mistress. DO you understand? ~
'De chile amt hut, young marster?'
"No. 4 friend was. Her mind has
been affected deeply by her fathers
condition and this shock has upset her
You must know nothing more OF IT,"
Frances sat MS he had left her, In
the armchair. She offered no resistance
when they laid her upon the bed and
administered an opiate. The stains OF
blood were carefully removed from
her hands, and her wrapper changed
and DIR. Brodnar prepared to depart
for the day was now breaking. lie re
membered the pistol, and was search.
ing the floor for II, when the reaction
set In and Frances began to cry bit
tarlx. ha ,,,s hto uit,rt nt tt.,n mi nm,
my passed into the dressing.ro ant
he took the girls hand.
''rhe whole blame rests upon me,
he said, gently. Keep quiet; l will
see you through" And then cry burs
from him: "What fool! what fool
And to think that Dick Somers--!" A
sound ot this name the girls grief be
came almost uncomfortable.
"He loved me-" she said, brokcnly
"And It has cost him his life!"
Loved you! Never! II he had Aimee
better, l could forgive him." She W.,
silent.
III he had aimed betteri"--then sh
sat up with almost frantic energy.
"Yes. The wound Is not fata
Frances Frances-back, my child
Take me to him-I must, I must g,
20 him"
lyon are simply mad!"
"IIe is my husband-I love him!
love him!"
Brodnar groaned and turned ava
his head. Suddenly the girl shivere
and drew back, her gaze set fearful
on something behind him.
''Close the window" she whispere
In n changed voice, "they may return.
"Why--what--what do you mean
lie was upon his feet, a strange ligh
In his face.
1T came from that window" sh
whispered fearfully; "some one fire
through the Stats"
God In Heavcn!" he cried, "I than
you! Dick! Dick! forgive mel" II
plunged out into the gray dawn IN
y left the girl amazed and terrified.
CHAPTER III.
Richmond at the time these even
we're occurring was In n tumult of e!