The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-03-01
I sSS59Ss THe !
I @45Aysai" 1INsS
| NJ NHRRYSTILLNEIL, ARDS
'~e4S5 EDTH
Copyright 1899 by ], -. Lippincott Com
pany. All rights reserved.
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
Richmond at the time these events
were occurring was in tumult of ex-
citement. The quarrel between the
north and south in congress had long
since reached the acute stage, and
preparations were forming for that
4itanic struggle which was to shake
America for four long years. South
Carolina had led off. followed by Ala.
bama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia
Louisiana and Texas The capital Of
the confederacy was in the far south
and while no one expected that Rich
mond was TO become the center Of po
1itical intrigue it had been easily fore
seen that Virginia, being a slave state.
would join her southern sisters, and
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-
dicton 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
tohim 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 sentimental
boy, he told himself. rather than as a
man coolly transacting a piece of bust
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 a girl altogether
unknown to him-indeed. unseen. In
conclusion, somebody bad put bullet
through his head. the only mistake
being in the matter of aim. He had re-
eeived 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 a slight
dizziness of head, found the world
about as he had left it. And then Brod-
mar told him of such facts as he him.
self had knowledge.
You were shot from a window by
some one who saw you strike a match
Any dear fellow. and who didn't care
whether your eyes were closed or not, ;
he said.
But who was the assailant-anG
what was the object?"
Under the window | found tracks
the track of woman's number two
shoes, clear cut and sufficiently deer
to suggest that the wearer was in al
probability settled woman. And vet
heavy woman's foot would not have
been so trim. There you have it all.
why should she have been there
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 abou
this shooting beyond the simple fact
Perhaps the shot was not aimed a.
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 O
these people, are at sea, | have NJ
chance to unrdyel the mystery. Evi
IDENTIFY my best plan is my first plan-tC
leave at once. Some one lives who saw
me in that room. The sooner 90 nov
the better for the good of all. Only
would have you tell me again-if ma
venture that far-if my young frien
is well. and understands that my n
eovery is accomplished"
''SEe is we'll" said Brodnar, wit
some constraint. and understands"
Look here. Francis, the truth is,
Eaid Somers, rising, 81 am not fond c
mystery. proposed to keep my prom
Use and shall, but, man, ! came near b,
ing involved in a lifelong affection tia
night, and I ask you now if | am
leave here with no further informi
ton"
"Yes," said Brodaar. otherwise 70
would defeat the object of the who
plan. Nothing could be more unfo
tunate for the girl than that you shoul
see her again or knowledge of tn;
marriage get abroad"
$50 be it," said Somers, sadly.
keep my promise. Tonight we sa
Food-by." BroGuar sat, moodily silen
drumming upon his desk, his eyes upC
the floor. Suddenly he stood erect.
"Somers | owe you something. ov
you more than l may ever be able
repay; I shall tell YOU this much. al
let You decide for the woman"
a telegram. doctor. for Mr.. r. Son
ers-your care" \ bov had entert
hurriedly and stood waiting. Some
took the message from the doctor
hand. and, the messenger vanishin
he read aloud: