Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-04-04
SYNOPSIS.

CHAPTER 1-Story opens in Richmond,
Va, on day Fort Sumter surrendered.
DR.. Francis Brodnar makes remarkable
request of his friend, Dick Somers to
which somers finally agrees. He is to
marry, blindfolded, a woman whose
name he is not to know, ask no ques-
lions, and finally. when she is out of
the power of certain enemies is to grant
her an honorable divorce
CHAPTER II-According to the agree
ment, Somers is mysteriousy married to
young woman, who Is called Frances,
and being left with her, they fall in love
with each other Upon her insistence he
lights mateaf in the dark room, that
they may see each other. A pistol shot
rings out. Somers falls with a scalp
wound just as Brodnar comes to take
him away. He is conveyed to the doc
tors office.
CHAPTER III-Somens, on his recov-
cry. receives telegram to report to war
Office Immediately. He learns Frances
is well, and asFls the doctor to tell her
Richard Somers passes out of her life
to serve his country. His duty DONE
please God, and she needs his arm, he
will follow her to the end Of the earth"
CHAPTER Iv-Woman named Louise
Is visited by Raymond Holbin, the IA
ther of her child, who has not kept his
promise to marry her. and who bears q
striking resemblance to Dick Somers.
She tells of having, in her desperation.
shot man who she thought was he
CHAPTER V-Frances' father, John
Brookin. makes his will bequeathing her
certain property upon condition that she
marry Holbin, his stepson. Just before
he dies she disillusions his mind of no.
tion that she had been disloyal to him,
and tells him friend has wished her
to say to him: ASK Raymond Holbin
what he has done with Louise (the dy-
I'M mo pta n. fNy Ia
BETRAYED her by mock marriage, and
took her abroad
CHAPTER VI-Holbin's absence from
the Brookin funeral is noticed He is
busy In the deserted residence of de-
ceased unraveling the mystery of the con-
nection between the shooting told him
by Louise. and the implied charge against
him made by Frances. He finds evidences
OF rivals presence In Frances ROOM
and his evil mind fills with suspicion Of
the pure girl.
CHAPTER VII-Holbin decides to ask
DIR. gBrodnar If he knows the man who
was shot in Frances ROOM The doctor
ASSERTS he had been shot there. and that
he suspected Mrs. Brookin (Holbin's
mother) OF being the woman who fred
tho shot, which. he Declares missed its
mark.
CHAPTER vIII-Baff1ed in attempt to
learn anything from DIR. Brodnar Hol-
successful. However, by a skillful move,
the man has made a most powerful i'm
preston upon the woman he hopes to
marry.
CHAPTER IX-Holbin having exhaust
ed all his resources for information con-
corning the victim of the shooting at
last turns to Frances old nanny, but
again fails.
CHAPTER X-Upon this he goes to his
mothers room and makes clean breast
of the facts. She summons DR.. Brodnar
and demands to know the information he
possesses who then denounces her liber-
tine son, who comes out of his conceal
ment in the room and attacks the doc
tor with a knife. The doctor escapes
sees Frances long enough to tell heI
what he knows about Somers assailant
and drives away. Misconstruing his mean
ing, thinking Louise had been jealous or
account of Somers attentions to her
she visits Louise full of sympathy fol
latters troubles but nothing comes ur
to throw the distrust out ca her mind
CHAPTER XI-Frances becomes 6
nurse for the wounded soldiers brought
to Richmond A wounded federal came
under her care. He has been with Capt
Somers who had at the same time beer
desperately wounded. Frances love anC
trust for Somers returns upon this news
of him.
CHAPTER XII-Louise has an interview
with Holbin, and later with his mother
She has come into possession of evi
dence proving common-law marriage
n Mrs. Brookin sees necessity of getting
her finally and forever out of the lway
n but temporarily yields to all demands
II and agrees upon full reparation.
CHAPTER XIII-Holbin wins the graft
%tude of Frances by offering to escort hel
#wounded federal now well on tie roat
~ to recovery across the lines. He ha
w learned reason of Frances interest in tn,
\ soldier. The next day this soldier Il
found dead, shot in the back
CHAPTER XIV-From the murdered
federals pockets Holbin had taken Ger
tain letters and the formers pass allow
ing him to cross the lines. From thu
letters he learns of Frances marriage
that Somers had been the victim o
Louise's pistol, and that DR.. Brodnar hat
been. at least, attempting to thwart hi
plans for securing the Brookin fortune.