Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-14

ing OF the buffers bell, and soon be-
held William running clumsily
through the hall. He had opened the
front door, but the servant having
passed, he changed his mind, and hav-
ing slammed the door made his way
down and back to the wing occupied
by Frances. She had retired, but arose
at once.
Bring your key and let me out at
the gate" he said. land quickly" She
threw on her wrapper and wondering
~ obeyed, 81 have found the other
woman in the case" he continued, hur-
riedly as they traversed the garden.
1T is all very sad, my child, and too
late now to 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 shooting!"
"Why-why-wha was her motive?"
jealousy" he replied, briefly.
What want to say to you is this:
something has happened tonight that
will prevent my returning here. You
must come to see me occasionally. and
always when needing advice or help.
In the meantime keep up your courage.
Nobody can disturb the big fact in our
case. We have the law on our side. I
shall explain it all some time. And
our wounded friend-you don't ask of
him-is better and impatient. He will
leave Richmond tonight. Good by"
"Oh, wait!" cried the girl in an
guish. ''The woman-where is she?"
al the Spotswood and ILL.," He felt
the blood running from stab in his
shoulder down his arm, and, fearful of
the effect should the excited girl dis
cover that he was wounded, he hurried
away to his assistant. Frances waited
at the gate, her face in her hands, her
heart aching. With sudden and de-
| spairing resolution she went back to
her room.
Quick, nanny, help me to dress;
1 must go to the hotel!'
! Lord "a mussy, chile, what de mat
| ter?"
Help me, mammy-quick! Don't
ask any questions"
| Frances started away, wringing her
| hands and sobbing, but in the crowded
| streets, where men were cheering and
cannon firing over the announcement
that Virginia had seeded, and thou
sands of torch-lights blazed the way,
| She grew tirmer. The general excite
ment was in her favor and no one at
tached Importance to her visit. She
reached and entered the sick woman's
room, and, motioning away the hired
t nudse, dropped upon her knees oy the
| bedside. Louise, calmer under the Opt
ates administered by the doctor, re-
| garded her as she might have one de-
scended from the clouds. Something
like spasm of fear passed over her, for
in the lovely face beside her she seemed
| to see the image of her own youth re-
\ peated.
"Who are you?" she asked, wildly.
Your friend. Don't excite your.
self"
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 Brookin! And your fathen
who was he ?"
4 "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 me?" she
asked, suspioiously.
ST wanted to tell you," said Frances,
covering her face and sobbing anew.
that l didn't know--of you! That il
l had no power on earth could have
won my consent. Oh, have been de-
ceived-crueliy, cruelty"
Louise, who was ignorant that Fran
oes was the girl in tho room at the
time of the shooting, now saw her op.
portunity. She raised herself eagerly.
You are my rival, then. You came
only in pity
Yes. And to ask your forgiveness.
You have nothing to fear from me-
A glad light filled the eyes of Louise.
She could with difficulty restrain her
self and control her voice.
Il believe you" she said. "You will
not take him from me-from his
child"
His child" Frances was shocked
and dismayed. His child! Is there
child-of his?"
Yes" said Louise, "but if you reveal
that l shall never be allowed to see her
again. You will not tell, will you?"
No. said the wretched girl 'Your
secret is safe with me- And, oh, I be-
lieved in him-I trusted him so!'' She
wrung her hands and turned away her
face.
1T is fortunate you found him out in
time said Louise; with me, it was
too late-too late! But please do not
stay here. How did you find me out?"
The doctor. He told me about you.
| He has told me everything and want,