The Irish standard., 1901-10-26

Nothing but gush, he said, running
his eye hurriedly over the lines. Mrs.
Brookin had picked up the other, which
was addressed tn DIR. Brodnar.
eve are getting to the heart Of the
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.
sible. for have been vain enough to be-
lieye that the child loves me. You pre-
pared the way by your Partially, and her
loneliness and excess Of gratitude accom-
plished the rest. Let me confess that
have been foolish enough to love her and
10 cream that some Gay you would permit
! me to return ard openly seek her out. But
his cursed " IT has kiiltG my dream, Brod-
rar. ard ii this letter reaches you, it will
&c alter it has killed your trie nd also!. Go
| 20 her ard say thai since he met her Rich
ard Somels has loved her as a man loves
but once"
There were other lines dealing with
the friendship between the two men
whi.e in Paris and containing tender
farewell.
''lt is new pain to me" he said. 1.-The
meGdlesome scoundrel DroGnar is the
author of the who.e p.ot!" 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,
suppose. ere this made full report"
1.-The man who lost the letters, moth
er, has reported elsewhere with bull
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; 1 needed it. need it now
more than ever" The woman's' 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 us. 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.
Raymond, you are again planning
to cross the lines"
II know what am doing! 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 I am going across the lines for
more than one purpose now"
"There are all sorts of people in
an army" she said; 81 have seen it
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. I am
cure for me a review of my case and
restore to me my commission. 1 have
offered my sword to the confederacy
once; the next time will offer it
point first!"
"You have valuable information for
sale. Is that what you mean? Go
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 is really dead all may yet
be we'll. If she is free at 21 the will
is binding, even if it were held that
she has not already sacrificed her in
terest."
"Come what may" he said, pas
sionate,y, while l live Brodnar shall
never see Frances Brookin the wife
in truth of Richard Somers."
"Nor while l live" said his mother;
there is my hand upon it,"
keep cut of it, mother, keep out,
or you will regret it!" said the
wretched man.
"Ungrateful boy! Where is your
promise? Do you repudiate that?
Have you forgotten your danger?"
"No, but she shall not suffer at
your hands. Leave her to me. And,
mother, if you ever find us dead to-
gether in that room downstairs, have
no thought of me. The man who has
neither love nor revenge has moth
ing to live for" He seized his hat and
rushed from her presence.
ITO Be Continued