Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-07-18

amdNcd lace was Hlteu ne auoeo.
"tour son-in-law."
81 do not understand! What does
it mean?"
"Answer that question for me, moth
er; my head has ceased to be of any
assistance. Undoubtedly, however, the
woman who you lead me to believe gave
you her promise to marry me some day
is already in point of law Richard
Somer's wife and has forfeited her
right to any part of her fathers es-
tate. Madam, fortune favors the bold;
l congratulate you'll" His manner be-
treyed an intense excitement and bit
terness.
wait, wait!" said the woman, qui-
etly, her eyes riveted upon the letter.
1T seems that he was her husband
that night. Was not that night prior
to the signing of the will?"
"Yes, the night before" The son,
looking upon his mothers face, could
find no evidence of satisfaction there.
1t was ghastly. why, what is it
now?"
"a stronger will and a clearer head
than we imagined has been at war with
us l do not know the law, but they
were trying to defeat the will in ad-
vance. 1t does defeat it in some way.
or our enemies would not have taken
the risk. If Frances were really mar
ried before the will was signed, she
cannot comply with its requirements,
and the law will not demand an impos-
siblity."
"Well!" He bent forward, his voice
reduced to whisper.
1--WE have lost, you and I. Except
for my pittance, we shall be. beggars
upon the day that Frances comes of
age; and that day is near at hand"
A long silence followed, and then the
eyes of mother and son met.
do you not share alike if the will
fails?"
"No. The intention of my husband
will be operative; only the condition
fails. There is no hope that way" His
mother looked from him and spoke
slowly.
"Is there no remedy?" he asked.
"Yes. If Richard Somers is not liv-
ing when Frances comes of age, or
should Frances"
Mother, mother, take care!" The
words burst in sudden energy from the
wretched man. Lift a hand to harm
but one hair of her head, and, by the
Mother of Cod"
flush! Hush!" she said, quietly.
"You love her; that is enough. She is
safe"
"Swear it."
Read the other letter." she said,
disregarding him. "It is likely that a
man would mention his wife in his last
letter to his mother" Raymond
stripped off the envelope and shook
two letters to the table. One, unsealed,
was addressed to Mrs. Martha Somers.
Nothing but gush," he said, running
his eye hurriedly over the lines. Mrs.
Brookin had picked up the other, which
was addressed to DR.. Brodnar.
"We are getting to the heart of the
mystery" she said. Read this one"
Raymond read in silence first, and
then, leaning forward, excitedly read
aloud:
"Go to the girl married at your request
and say death has dissolved the bond.
sible, for | have been vain enough to be-
lieve that the child loves me. You pre-
pared the way by your partiality, and her
loneliness and excess of gratitude accom-
plshed the rest. Let me confess that I
have been foolish enough to love her and
to dream that some day you would permit
me to return and openly seek her out. But
| this cursed war has killed my dream, BrOd-
mar. and if this letter reaches you. it Will
be after it has killed your friend also! Go
Il Fe.FV, Igfyt
ard Somers has loved her as man loves
| but once"
There were other lines dealing with
the friendship between the two men
while in Paris and containing tender
farewell.
1T is now plain to me" he said. "The
meddlesome scoundrel Brodnar is the
author of the whole plot!" Mrs. Brook
in folded the letters into their places.
Her hands were without tremor.
Let them keep their secret. To in
form them is to arm them. We will
continue to be-their dupes. Richard
Somers may not be living when Fran
ces reaches twenty-one; who can tell?
The man who lost those letters has,
suppose, ere this made full report"
"Theoman who lost the letters, moth
er, has reported elsewhere with bull
let through his heart"
"Raymond!"
''What does it matter? We are kill
ing them in front of our lines every
day. One behind counts for little. He
had a pass; l needed it. need it now
more than ever" The woman's face
glowed with sudden light.
You are too rash, my boy; take no
steps before consulting me. In the
meantime these papers have no value
for US. Burn them, burn them now!
But no! give me the letter to Brod-
mar; it may be valuable some day as
evidence that Richard Somers is
dead" One by one Holbin held the
others over lighted matches and saw
them vanish into cinders. His moth
er placed her hand upon his shoulder.
Raymond, you are again planning
| to cross the lines"