The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-10-03


"0h, waltz cried the girl In an
guish. "Thc woman--whcre In sbe?"
al the spotswood and H." lie 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 n sudden and de-
spairing resolution she went back to
her room.
Quick, nanny. help me 20 dress;
i must go TO the boteli"
Lord "a mussy, chile, what de mat
ter?"
Help me, mammy-quicki Don't
ask any questions"
Frances started away. wringiDg her
hands and sobbing. but In the crowded
streets, where men were cheering and
cannon firing over the announce ment
that Virginia had seeded, and thou
sands Of torch-lights blazed the way,
she grew frmer. The general excite
mcnt was In her favor and no one at
tacbed importance 10 her visit She
reached and entered the sick womap's
room. and, notioning away the hired
nudse, dropped upon her knees by the
bedside. Louise, calmer under the OPT
ates administered by the doctor, re-
garded her rs she might have one de-
scended from the clouds. Something
like a 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 your" she asked. wildly.
"four 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 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. n strange light in her eyes.
What do you want of me?" she
asked, suspiciously.
81 wanted TO tell you" said Frances.
covering her face and sobbing anew.
that didn't know-of you! That ~
had no power on earth could have
won my consent. Oh, I have been de.
ceived-cruelly, cruelty"
Louise. who was ignorant that Fran
ces was the girl In the room at the
time Of the shooting. now saw her OPP
portunity. She raised herself eagerly.
"You are my rival, then. You came
only in pity"
"Yes. And TO ask your forgiveness.
You have nothing 10 fear from me-"
A glad light filled the eyes Of Louise.
She could with difficulty restrain her.
self and control her voice.
81 believe you" she said. "You will
not take him from me--from his
child!"
"IIis child!" Frances was shocked d
and dismayed. "His child! Is there
a child-of his?"
"Yes," said Louise, "but II you reveal
that l shall never be allowed to see her
again. You will not tell. will your"
"No," said the wretched girl. "Your
secret is safe with me. And. oh. I be-
lieved In him--f trusted him sol" She
wrung her hands and turned away her
face.
ut 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 every thing, and want.
ed to see you"
Don't cry, my dear child. What
seems q great sorrow to you now is
really q blessing. You have made
a miserable woman happy by your
coming. Go now! He may enter al
any moment, and II would be painful
Go. and don't tell anyone Of tbi,
visit viii you promlse?"
81 shall keep your secret" said
Frances. ut Is safe with me. For.
give me-if have made you un-
happy"
~ am sorry for you" said Louise
simply. Frances lifted her head
proudly.
"You need not be. I am shocked
and mortified; that Is all. To-mor,
row ! shall cease to remember him.
She was going when Louise called
her back.
LET me SEE your face again, my
child. All, how beautiful you are
Good-by. ! trust you. Don't grieve
about him. He cannot ever be trust.
ed. You were to he the victim of q
plot, and your friends are deceivinp
you. Why. the man Is poor; ruined
unless he gets your fortune. He
came from Europe to marry you--a ah
God. he deserted me, he betrayed hi,
child-for your money. Trust none
OF them, for they are desperate. They
take advantage Of your youth-they
would persuade you into n hurried
marriage"
But ! could not, I could not bt
bound legally by such trayesiy-
such fraud!"
Your fortune would. and that Il
"""' Nv N""'r-'hu'' anu NOT you
Secure In that, he would be willing
to let you go forever. oh, but know
him. Give him the shadow OF a ttls
to your fortune and you are lostis
"But to think that DIR. Brodnai
could have deceived me Sony moth'
er's friend! ] cannot, cannot be
lleve ~"
"My child, trust no one. Possibly
the doctor himself was deceived; II
has been long since he knew him;
and the man Is a finished actor
Trust no man. The man who will
not deceive u woman for his own ad
vantage does not live. ! know the