Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-23


me answer-the direct, stern truth:
Your brother IS dead. Miss Brett"
There followed a silence so intense
that I could hear quite distinctly the
river Aare beating against the chateau
walls, With the curious irrelevance
that comes so often in moments OF
tense anxiety I thought Il strange that
Captain Forbes had not given some
sign OF his presence In his prison dur
ing the past half hour. Helena leaned
toward me. frowning slightly as II in
perplexity.
Dead. did you say Not dead"
repeated the words: unconscious
" 7 spoke a little louder. The scene
seemed unreal. theatric Again the
irrelevant thought intruded how.
when a boy. I used 20 wonder IL all the
things that had hitherto happened in
my nfe-al my existence-were not
one long dream; a dream from which
/ should awake presently. 20 find my
self living a life utterly different.
Tt seems. sir" she faltered. that
your mission is always TO bring bad
tidings. IL was only the other day
me had died. Now a. Is 10 tell me that
the brother 7 loved so much is dead"
She smiled pitifully. a curiousIy
twisted smile that expressed her suf-
fering more than any tears No re-
proaches could have troubled me as|
did that pathetic smile 7 turned ab-
ruptly 90 Madame De WARMER whom
she had not yet seen. NV rage and
pity overcome my reason. might
have appealed 20 heather idol sitting
IN grotesque majesty m its temple oil
gloom with as little effect.
You are woman. You must have
O woman's heart; you must feel some
tenderness FOR others in their grief.
You have told me that your life has
been one OF suffering: then have
mercy for this girl who is suffering
You viii not torture her further. YOU
viii leave 10 her the only comfort that
remains for her. the proud memory oil
a brother who served his country with
honor"
1T IL for you 90 do that. monsieur"
She spoke with assumed indifference.
lingering the cross that hung from
her neck.
MIR. Haddon." said Helena proudly.
you will make no appeal 20 Madame.
de WARMER 20 spare me from suffering
Where IS my brother? I suppose that
there Is no one here who Will deny me
my right 10 see him?"
The two women faced each other.
Death IS sometimes not the worst
calamity that may befal one. madam"
AT these omnous words Helena
turned TO me with a gesture OF pain.
Her courage faltered though she
fought for her control before the wom-
an whom she hated so bitterly.
Death Is not the worst calamity?"
She repeated the words slowly. as II
seeking their hidden meaning. "Ah.
this Infamous woman. who dragged
down my brother TO disgrace when he
lived. will not spare even his memory.
She threatens 10 make his shame even
more public than IL is"
Your champion has Il In his power
70 prevent that" suggested Madame
de WARMER softly.
Helena turned on her with horror.
1T is incredible that you should
make traffic OF a mans love"
ITO me the love OF a man Ike Sir
Mortimer Brett would have been
glory. not a disgrace" returned the
adventures calmly. But there was
no love between Sir Mortimer Brett
and myself in the sense you mean.
Whatever feeling your brother had for
me was controlled. Yes. and tempted
him. In that regard his honor is stain
less"
Mouonless. each looked into the 9TH
er's eyes.
And yet you said there is a calam-
ity worse than death?" Helena Ques-
TONED. torn between hope and fear.
And I say It again. Dishonor Is
worse than death"
Helena turned 70 me. dazed and ap-
pealing. trembling hand drawn slow
ly across her forehead.
you are silent What do those ex-
traordinary words mean?"
1 hesitated.
1T is said-this woman says-but It
is false. Do not believe her." cried
desperately at length.
He has not the courage TO tell the
truth" cried Madame de WARMER.
walking slowly toward Helena, who
shrank back. Your brother is known
to be guilty of taking bribes."
You are right not to believe that,
Mr.. Haddon," she said scornfully, and
sighed her relief.
There are proofs 70 convince the
most skeptical. even you" insisted her
tormentor with savage emphasis
What you say is impossible. Where
is my brother, Mr.. Haddon?"
I pointed silently to the oratory.
Helena turned TO go thither. but
Madame de WARMER barred her en-
trance.
"Ah. you are afraidl" she cried.
standing at the door of the oratory
with extended arms you dare not
face the truth. Listen, madam; the
proofs OF your brothers guilt are not
imaginary. They exist in has own
writing Not one signature which may
be forged; there are whole pages. You
listen now; you will tremble before
have finished. At present there is no
one who has seen these proofs except
myself. But dare TO doubt me, to
ignore these proofs. and they shall be
for the whole world to read Do you
hear7 ! say for the whole world; and