Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-21
SYNOPSIS.


DR.. Francis Brodnar makes remarkable
request of his friend. Dick Somers, TO
which Somers finally agrees. He is to
marry blindfolded, a woman whose
dons. 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 mystertously married to
q young woman, who Is called Frances.
and being left with her. they fall in love
with each other. Upon her insistence he
lights a match in the dark room, that
they may see each other. A pistol shot |
rings out. Somers falls with scalp |
wound just as Brodnar comes to take
him away. He is conveyed to the doc
tors ONCE.
CHAPTER III-Somers, on his recov-
cry. receives telegram to report to war
once Immediately. He learns Frances
Is we'll and asks 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
Their of her child, who has not kept his
promise to marry her. and who bears
striking resemblance. to Dick Somers.
She tells OF having, in her desperation.
shot q man who she thought was he.
CHAPTER v-Frances' father. John
Brookin, makes his will bequeathing her
certain property upon condition that she
marry Holbip, his stepson. Just before
he dies she disillusions his mind of no.
ton 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-
ting mans niece); for he Is the man who
betrayed her by mock marriage, and
took her abroad"
LATTER vI-Holbin's absence from
the Brookin funeral is noticed. He is
busy Ia 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 q rivals presence In Frances room,
and his evil mind Oils with suspicion Of
the pure girl.
CHAPTER vII-Holbin decides to ask
Or. Brodnsr Il he knows the man who
was shot In Frances' room. The doctor
asserts be had been shot there, and that
he suspected Mrs. Brookin tHolbin's
msther) Of being the woman who fired
tho shot. which. he declares, missed its
mark.
CHAPTER VIII-Baff1ed In attempt to
learn anything from DR.. Brodnar. Hol-
bin turns to Frances. but is again I'm.
successful However. by skillful move
the,rnan has made most powerful i'm
marry.
CHAPTER Ix-Holhin having exhaust
"A ed all hts resources for Information con
corning the victim d the shooting, a
last turns to Frances old nanny, bu
again fails 4.
CHAPTER x-Upon this he goes to hi
mothers room and makes clean breas
of the facts She summons DR.. Brodnar
and demands to know the information h
possesses who then denounces her liPer
tine son. who comes out of his conceal
ment in the room and attacks the doc
tor with knife The doctor escapes
sees Frances long enough to tell he
what he knows about Somers assailanl
and drives away. Misconstruing his mean
ing, thinking Louise had been jealous o
account OF Somers' attentions TO- hel
she visits Louise full of sympathy 70
latters troubles. but nothing comes u
- throw the distrust out OF her mint
-iou need not be. am shocke
and mortified; that is all. To-mol
row shall cease to remember him.
She was going when Louise calle
her back.
LET me see your face again, m
child. All, how beautiful you are
Good-by, trust you. Don't griey
ed. You Were to be the victim of
plot, and your friends are deceivin
you. Why, the man is poor; RUNE
unless he gets your fortune. Z
came from Europe to marry you-a
God, he deserted me, he betrayed h
child-for your money. Trust MOI
Of them, for they are desperate. The
take advantage of your youth-ths
would persuade you into hurrit
marriage"
"But / could not, I could not
bound legally by such travesty
such fraud!"
"Your fortune would, and that
what he wants-that, and not yo
Secure in that, he would be willil
to let you go forever. Oh, but knc
him. Give him the shadow of a til
to your fortune and you are lost!"
s'But to think that DR.. Brodn
could have deceived me sony mot
er's friend! / cannot, l cannot
lieye it'll"
"My child, trust no one. Fossil
the doctor himself was deceived;
has been long since he knew hi
and the man is finished act
Trust man. The man who W
not deceive woman for his own /;
vantage. does not live. know
world If 1 do not, who does
Frances took the hama OF the 81
woman in both of her own and HI
it in sympathy and grief
81 must leave you" she said, br
enly. "Will you not tell me W
name? I shall always remember J
in my prayers" Louise half rail-
herself in the bed
my name! Then he did not
YOU all. No, my child, do not s.
TO find out my name. Pray for
If you willard remember me al
woman more sinned against t
SHINING. Good night and good BY
AZ EGaaaes hprrisd homawz
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