The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-06-08


tine, cashiered, swindling. cheating
son Of yours. Denounce me, but
breathe a word against the fame OF
Frances Brookin. and shall go before
Richmond with my cause, Good even
ing
he bowed mockingly, and was turn
ing away when the portiere was flung
violently aside and Holbin rushed on
him from behind. A keen knife in his
hand dashed in the gas ligh. md fell,
but once only, Maddened with the
pain and enraged At the cowardly at
tack, Brodnar lifted his assailant from
the aoor and hurled him across the
room. He fell in heap against the
wall. the knife rolling 20 the feet OF
the frantic woman. To snatch IL up
and throw herself upon the athlete
was an instant's action; but she was
impotent 10 harm him then. He seized
her wrists and turned the right one
slowly but remorselessly. Her pale
lips uttered no sound. but the long
white gers relaxed at length under
the terrific ordeal and the knife fell
10 the floor. Kicking II across the
room. he pushed the woman away, and
stepping outside the dor, closed il be-
hind him. lie heard the furious ring
ing OF the buffers bell and soon be-
held William running clumsily
through the hall. Re had opened the
front door. but the servant having
passed. ne changed his mind, and hay
ing slammed the door made his way
down and bach 10 the wing occupied
by Frances She had retired. but srose
az once.
Bring your key and let me- out at
the gate" he said "and quickly She
threw OF her wrapper and wondering
" obeyed. ~ have found the other
woman IN the case. he continued. bur-
riodly as they traversed the garden.
at is all very sad, my child. and too
late now 20 be remedied." He could
not see the girls face nor understand
that there was room for any miscon-
struction OF his statement; that her
mind was occupied with Richard SOM
ers, as his had been with Holbin
Frances felt as though the blood was
freezing in her veins.
what woman"
"The woman who did the shootingl"
4 "Nhy- why-what was hor motive 2"
"Jealousyl" he replied, briefly
"What l want 10 say To you is this:
something has happened tonight that
will prevent my returning here. You
must eorfe TO see me occasionally, and
always when needing sdyice or help.
In tho meantime keep up your courage.
! Nobody can disturb tho big fact In our
/ case. We have the law on our side.
shall explain il all some time. And
OR wounded frien6-you don't ask Of
hm-is better aud impatient. He will
leave Riohmon tonight Good-by."
"oh, waltz" cried the girl IN an
guiSh "The wonlaA-whcre IL shey'
AT tho Spotswoed and i'll" He felt
the blood running from s stab In his
shoulder down his arm, and, fearful OF
the cffeot should the excited girl dis
cover that he was wounded, he hurried
away 10 his assistant. Frances waited
at the g;Fte, her face In her hands. her
heart aching WITH a sndden and de-
spairipg resolution she went back te
her room.
Quick, nanny, help me 70 dress;
must gro 10 the hetell"
Lord a mussy. chile. wlrrt de mat
ter"
~Help me. nanny quick Don't
ask any questions.
Frances started away, wringing her
hands and sobbing, but in the crowded
streets. wheVe men were cheering and
common firing over the announcement
that Virginia had seeded, and thou
sands % tos7ci-lights bIazed the way.
she grew hrmer. The general excite
nrcnt was IN her favor and no one at
taehed importance 81 her visit. She
reached and entered the sick woman's
room. and, motioning away the hired
nudse. dropped upon her knees by the
bedside. Louise. calmer under the OPT
otes administered by the doctor, re
garded her as she might have one de-
seconded from the clouds. Something
ike A spasm OF fear passed over her, for
in the lovely face beside her she seemed
10 see the image OF her own youth re-
peated.
"Who are your" she asked, wildly.
"Your friend. Don't excite your
SELF i.
'Your name? your name?"
Frances Brookin And. oh. | am SO
sorry for you. so very sorry!" Louise
seemed to have heard only the name
which she repeated softly, wonder
ingly.
Frances Brookinl And your father
who was hep
"John Brookin."
"Ah. my God!" And the face upon
the pillow was turned away in shame
and confusion. After awhile she looked
back. strange light in her eyes.
"What do you want Of me9" she
asked, suspiciously.
II wanted TO tell you" said Frances
covering her face and sobbing anew
"that didn't know-of you! That II
/ had no power on earth could hav,
won my consent. oh, have been de.
ceived- cruelty"
A