Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-04-02

to a 1fbertine, might easily pull a trig-
| ger to remove lesser obstacle" The
| woman rushed up to him with hands
clenched.
"Scoundrel! If I had the weapon
now I would prove your Judgment!
Out of my housed" DR.. Brodnar smiled
wickedly.
II was mistaken" he continued,
coolly; 1.-THE woman who shot this I'M
known gentleman lies, half delirious,
in room 20 at the Spotswood and her
name is Louise. And, madam. 1 will
do her full justice; she erred in, her in
| formation and her aim. For the man
she hoped to destroy was this liber-
tine, cashiered, swindling, cheating
son Of yours. Denounce me, but
breathe word against the fame of
Frances Brookin, and shall go before
Richmond with my cause. Good even
ing
He bowed mockingly, and was turn
ing away when the portiere was flung
violently aside and Holbin rushed on
him from behind. A keen knife in his
hand flashed in the gas light and fell,
but once only. Maddened with the
pain and enraged at the cowardly at
| tack, Brodnar lifted his assailant from
the floor and hurled him across the
room. He fell in heap against the
wall, the knife rolling to the feet of
| the frantic woman. To snatch it up
and throw herself upon the athlete
was an instant's action; but she was
impotent to harm him then. He seized
her wrists and turned the right one
slowly but remorselessly. Her pale
lips uttered no sound, but the long
white fingers relaxed at length under
the terrific ordeal and the knife fell
to the floor. Kicking it across the
room, he pushed the woman away, and
stepping outside the dor, closed it be-
hind him. He heard the furious ring
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. II 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
srs, as his had been with Holbin.
Frances felt as though the blood was
freezing in her veins.
"What woman?"
'sThe woman who did the shooting!"
"Why-why-whatw 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. l
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?"
"At the Spotswood and ILL.," He fel,
the blood running from a 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;
I 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 firmer. 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
nudse, dropped upon her knees by 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 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, strange light in her eyes.
What do you want of me?" she
asked, suspiciously.
II wanted to tell you," said Frances
covering her face and sobbing anew
| Ir'< M .,