The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-10-31

"Nothing but gush. ."'he said, running
his eye hurriedly over the lines. Mrs.
Brookin had picked up the other, which
wps addressed TO Dr. Brodnar.
ave are getting 10 the heart OF the
mystery" she said. "Read this one"
Raymond read In silence first, and
then. leaning forward, excitcdly read
aloud:
90 to the girl I married at your request
and say death has dissolved the bond.
Break the news to her as gently as pos
sible. for I 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-
plished the rest. Let me confess that
have been foolish enough 10 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, II will
be sfter II has killed your friend also! Go
to her and say that since he met her Rich
ard Somers has loved her as n man loves
but once"
There were other lines dealing with
the friendship between the two men
while In Paris and containing a tender
farewell.
at Is now plain to me-" he said. sThe
meddlcsome 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 -ope; who can tell ?
The man who lost those letters has,
suppose, ere this made full report"
The man who lost the letters, moth.
er. has reported elsewhere with bul.
let through his heart"
raymond"
"What does IL matter? We are kill.
ing them in front of our lines every
day. One behind counts for little. lie
had a pass; / needed IL. need IL now
more than ever" The woman's face
glowed with n sudden light.
"You are too rash, my boy; take nc
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; IL may be valuable some day as
evidence that Richard Somers 70
dead" One by one lIolbin 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. IL is sufficient to sny
that I am going across the lines for
more than one purpose now"
There are all sorts of people in
an army" she said: ~ have seen u
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. ! am
In possession OF that which will Sc
cure for me n review of my case and
restore to me my commission. have
| offered my sword to the confederacy
once; the next time / will offer II
point first!"
"You have valuable information for
sale. Is that what you mean? &c
slow upon that line; IL you draw youI
sword against Virginia openly yor
sacrifice all interests here. Better be
a friend to both sides, and when yor
come back with proofs that Richart
Somers Is really dead all may yet
he well. II she is free Mt u the will
Is binding, even II II were held tha'
she has not already sacrificed her in
terest."
"Come what may" he said. pas
sionately, "whilc l live Brodnar sbal
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 81, mother, keep out
or you will regret III" said the
wretched man.
"Ungrnteful boy! Where Is your
promise? DO you repudiate that.
Have you forgotten your danger?"
mo. hut she shall not suffer a,
your hands. Leave her to me. And
mother. II you ever find MS dead to
gether In that room downstairs, have
no thought OF me. The man who ha'
neither love nor revenge has moth
ing to live for" He seized his hat ant
rushed from her presence.
ITO He Ccntinued.l
/