Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-30
CHAPTER XIV.


 packet of papers taken by him from the murdered man with the official order for which he had committed the crime The order read: Pass the bearer, Thomas Riley, paroled prison CT, through the lines.' Ut will not do Loiuse much good, anyway" he said, "even were I disposed to give it to her." The name Martha Somers' upon the sealed packet attracted his attention. and he recognized in a Dela- ware address beneath the home of Richard Somers. He remembered then the dead soldiers description of the battle in which he was wounded, and guessed that the packet contained the papers given to him to deliver. Holbin would hardly have troubled himself to wade through score of farewell pages from soldier to his mother. and would have promptly destroyed the whole collection but that the remaining en- velope, addressed to Richard Somers, lay before him. and upon it his eye caught the Brookin crest.
 This is very different he said to himself with interest. Let us see what Frances has to say to the fellow" He broke the seal and read:
 "I send you back, we'll and free, the man who saved your life; found him grtevously wounded-a prisoner. It is all that l have been abiG to do in return for your kindness to Ia9. stranger, and for the wound you received in my house. Think me not indelicate when l say that the sweetest memory my heart carries is in the memory of your face beneath the match that night and. of the words Frances, my wife, which you have en- graved in your locket, and over which have placed message to you. Forgive me i; it can never matter much for sea of blood rolls between us. Good night. God be with you till We meet-in Heaven.
 FRANCES"
 Holbin sat gazing blankly upon ths lines His head was in whirl.
 Her husband her husband! 1! Pshaw.' he exclaimed with an uneasy laugh, springins' to his feet and begin ming to walk the floor, this comes of the damnable work out yonder to-day; my nerves are simply unstrung." He took bottle from his dresser poured out stiff drink, and tossed it off wit h one gulp. Then he went back to his table and, picking up the letter. read aloud: "wound received in my house" your face beneath the lighted match.' As he stood thus the ter SiippCd 1IOll lis LOulSc. ne whispered, the man whom Louise shot!" Not in all the vicissitudes of his wild career had Holbin received such shock of surprise. His mind, dazed and bewildered, could not ar range deduction beyond the discov- cry that Richard Somers was the m;1u around whom so much of mystery had gathered. and that Frances referred to him in the tender word ''husband.' He laid his hand upon the bell-cord and hesitated; then his wicked smile came back again as he pulled it.
 Tell your mistress l shall be glad if she will favor me with her presence here.' he said to William. When. a few minutes later. Mrs. Brookin came into the room he failed to hear her.
 What is it, Raymond? 3" she asked He reused himself and spoke rapidly
 "b'rances got her wounded soldier a pass through our lines, and to please her I carried him to the front. After he left me l found these papers in the buggy where he had dropped them The fellows captain is Richard Somers."
 Richard Somers."
 -AiS hCN. LIdt.dilI. ISdC the note from Frances to him and let me con- graduate you upOn-'
 She read it rapidly, and when her mazed face was lifted he added:
 Your son-in-law.''
 "I GO not understand! What doe, it mean?'''
 Answer that question for me mo th- CT; my head has ceased to be of any assistance. Undoubtedly, however, the woman who you lead me to believe gave you her promise,t o marry me some day is already in point of law Richard Somer's wife and has forfeited her right to any part of her fathers es. tate. Madam. fortune favors the bold; l congratulate you!" His manner be- trayed an intense excitement and bit- terness.
 Wait, wait!" said the woman. qui- et'y, her eyes riveted upon the letter. Tt seems that he was her husband that night. Was not that night prior to the signing of the will?''
 "Yes, the night before" The son. looking upon his mothers face, could find no evidence of satisfaction there. It was ghastly. 'Why, what is it now?''
 "A stronger will and clearer head than we imagined has been al war with us. l do not know the law, but they were trying to defeat the will in ad- vance. It does defeat it ip some way. or our enemies would not have taken the risk. If Frances were really mar ried before the will was signed, she cannot comply with its requirements, and the law will not demand an impos- sioility."
 "Well!" He bent forward, his voice reduced to whisper.
 We have lost, you and I. Except for my pittance, we shall be beggars upon the day that Frances comes of age; and that day is near at hand"
 \ long silence followed, and then the eyes of mother and son met.
 Do you not share alike if the will fails??''
 '.No. The intention of my husband will be operative; only the condition fails. There is no hope that way" His mother looked from him and spoke slowly.