The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-05-09

~ IL
pared the way by your Partially, and her
| loneliness and excess of gratitude accom-
| pllshed the rest. Let me confess that
nave 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 and say that since he met her Rich
| 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 a 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 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, I
suppose, ere this made full report
THE man who lost the letters. moth
er, has reported elsewhere with a 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 pass; l needed it. Ineed it now
| more than ever" The woman's face
glowed with a 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
IL know what I am doing! Do not
seek to influence me-"
What do you mean?''
"There is no time for explanation,
nor is there any need, for you already
understand. 1t is sufficient to say
that I am going across the lines for
more than one purpose now"
There are all sorts of people in
an army" she said; 81 have seen it
stated that many officers killed in
battle are shot from behind.''
THAT is one,'' he replied, land men
who serve their country in time of
war are forgiven many things. I am
in possession of that which will Sc
cure for me review of my case and
| restore to me my commission. I have
offered my sword to the confederacy
once; the next time l will offer it
point frst!''
"You have valuable information 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. II she is free at p 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 l 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
wretched man.
"Ungrateful boy! Where is your
promise? Do you repudiate that?
Have you forgotten your danger?"
mo, but she shall not suffer at
your hands. Leave her to NEE And.
mother, if you ever find Us dead to-
gether in that room downstairs, have
no thought of me. The man who has
neither love nor revenge has moth
ing to live for He seized his hat and
rushed from her presence.