Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-30

Nothing but gush," he said, running
 his eye hurriedly over the lines. Mrs.
 Brookin had picked up the other, W hich was addressed to Dr. Brodnar We are getting to the heart of the
 mystery she said. Read this one'
 Ray ymond read in silence first, and
 then, leaning forward, excitedly read aloud:
 and say death has dissolved the bond. Break the news to her as gently as pos s1ble, for have been vain enough to be- Ge<s that the child loves me. You pre- pared the way by your partiality, and her loneliness and excess of gratitude accom-, plished 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 to her ard say that since he met her Rich ard Somers has loved her man loves but once"
 There were other lines dealing with the friendship between the two men
 while in Paris and containing a tender farewell.
 Tt 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 a 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 a full report.'' ..'Eba yx In ba latt h.
 CT, 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 q pass; l needed it. l need it now
 more than ever.' The womans 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 .lolbn held the others over lighted matches and saw them vanish into cinders. His moth
 CT placed her hand upon his shoulder.
 "Raymond. you are again planning to cross the lines"
 II know what I am doing! Do not seek to influence me"
 What do you mean?" 'There is no time for explanation,
 DOT is there any need, for you already understand. It is sufficient to say
 that l am going across the lines for more than one purpose now" "There are all sorts of people in an army she said: Il have seen it stated that many officers killed in battle are shot from behind"
 That is one,'' he replied. and men who serve their country in time of
 war are forgiven many things. l am 1 in possession of that which will se- cure for me a review of my case and restore to me my commission. 1 have offered my sword to the confederacy once; the next time 1 will offer it point tirst!"
 "Iou have valuable informa ton for sale. Is that what you mean? Go
 slow upon that line; if you draw your sword against Virginia openly you sacrifice all interests here. Better be
 a friend to both sides, and when you
 come back with proofs that Richard Somers is really dead all may yet be well. If she is free at 21 the will is binding, even if it were held that
 she has not already sacrificed her in terest.'
 Come what may" he said, pas sionately while 1 live Brodnar shall never see Frances. Brookin the wife in truth of Richard Somers.' "Nor while live,' said his mother; 'there is my hand upon it. Keep out of it, mother, keep out,
 or you will regret it.' said the
 vretched man.
 "Ungrateful boy. Where is your | promise? Do you repudiate that? Have you forgotten your danger?" | "No, but she shall not suffer at | your hands. Leave her to me. And.
 mother, if you ever find us dead to- 1 gether in that room downstairs, have | no thought of me- The man who has neither love nor revenge has noth- | ing to live for" He seized his hat and l rushed from her presence. l