Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-05-09
| litical intrigue, IT had been easily fore

| that If war followed she would furnish
the battle ground by reason of her geo
graphical position. Few people be-
| lieved in a serious conflict to come, but
there were some who foretold a bloody
struggle, and these were among the
powerful who gave time and direction
| to public sentiment.
There was much discussion in state
military circles, and a confident pre-
| diction that when the crisis came the
south must recall her sons from the
service of the union, and enlist them
| under the banners of the states rights
party, leaving many vacancies difficult
| to fill.
Upon his couch in the rooms of Rich
mond's popular physician Richard
Somers lay, convalescent. His wound
| proved easy of management and healed
rapidly. But in the empty hours 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 sentiment tai
boy, he told himself. rather than as a
man coolly transacting piece of busi-
ness to which a friend had commits
stoned him. 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 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 had1eft it. And then Brod-
mar told him of such facts as he him
| self had knowledge.
"You were shot from a window by
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 object?"
Under the window I found tracks.
the track of a woman's number two
shoes, clear cut and sufficiently deep
to suggest that the wearer was in all
probability a settled woman. And yet
heavy woman's foot would not have
been so trim. There you have it all"
!
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 of
these people, are at sea, l have no
chance to unravel the mystery. Evi-
IDENTIFY my best plan is my first plan-to
leave at once. Some one lives who saw
me in that room. The sooner go now
the better for the good of all. Only
would have you tell me again-if may
venture that far-if my young friend
is we'll, and understands that my re-
covery is accomplished"
''SEe is WELL" said Brodnar, with
some constraint. land understands
Look here, Francis, the truth is"
| said Somers, rising, II am not fond of
mystery. / proposed to keep my prom
Use and shall. but, man, l came near be-
ing involved in lifelong affection that
night, and l ask you now if l am to
leave here with no further informa-
| ton"
"Yes," said Brodnar. otherwise you
would defeat the object of the whole
plan. Nothing could be more unfor-
tunate for the girl than that you should
see her again or knowledge of that
marriage get abroad"
$50 be it," said Somers, sadly. "I
keep my promise. Tonight we say
| good-by." Brodnar sat, moodily silent.
drumming upon his desk, his eyes upon
the floor. Suddenly he stood erect.
"Somers, I owe you something, owe
you more than may ever be able to
repay; I shall tell you this much, and
let you decide for the woman"
"a telegram, doctor, for Mr.. r. Som
ers-your care" A boy had entered
hurriedly and stood waiting. Somers
took the message from the Doctors
hand, and, the messenger vanishing
| he read aloud:
Report in person Immediately to this Of
| flee. STANTON
Secretary of War"
Brodnar looked steadily into the glad
bright face of his friend, who was upon
his feet in an instant and full of ex-
| citement.
"Will you report there?"
"Will 1? 1t is the dream of my life,
ar!-but-but-you were say
| ing"
Nothing"
~ don't understand you, Frank"
mo member Of the family, Dick, you
have entered ever drew Sword aoain St