The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-12-14
CHAPTER xxx.

4 Open the Safe.
1T Is true" she murmured. 1t II
true, and too horrible"
do not believe It," said obstinate
~. 1T is impossible"
Gan one deny a fact? Am child
to be solaced with smooth words? l
have seen; 1 must believe, though God
knows the truth makes me wish hun
-dred times that lay beside my poor
.disgraced brother"
II is always painful to see one whom
we respect the prey of an emotion un-
controlled. It was doubly painful Tor
-me to see this strong woman, whose
dominant quality was courage ana
calm, writhe under the blow that de-
prived her for the moment OF all
power to think coherently. l dared
not tell her my belief that held the
combination of the safe, and that be-
fore many minutes were passed
might have the papers in my posses
sion.
The woman who tortured US both
stood at the threshold OF the little
room Helena had just left, a malevo-
lent figure In her hour OF triumph
AS looked toward her. tempted to ex-
pei her brutally from that room, and II
my surmise was false, to force from
her. even by violence. II necessary,
the combination of the safe, she with
: drew hastily. leaving Helena and my
self alone. II was then that feared
the worst. She had appealed to Hell
.ena. She was confident Of her sue
cess.
stiu held Helena's hands tightly In
mine. I wished to give back to her
her poise, her calm courage.
"Mr. Haddon," she whispered pres
emily. do you thinks 1t possible
to do this thing?"
TT is possible; but it would be the
act of a mailman and liar." said
gently.
"You say it is possible" She with
drew her hands almost roughly. Her
voice was monotonous and harsh.
-"Then you will save us, mother ana
myself. from this deep disgrace.
"There is no service that would
not do for you, Miss Brett, that would
bring you peace and happiness
peace, Happiness" she interrupt
ed with fierce remonstrance. 1 90
not look for peace or happiness HON
jor itself-and the motto of the Bretts
is Honor, My Sword'-can no longer
be our proud boast. But II silence can
he purchased it must be. l dare not
1et NV brothers name be held In re-
nroach. 1 dare not. cannot. Tor MS
mothers sake, let it be known that ne
has been false to England"
eve may yet save him if"
Eyes" she broke in with strange
.exultancy that was even more dread
I'm, To me than her despair. land 1t Is
Won whom / have despiseds that Is TO
save MS. A life for life-those were
the words / said to you at Lucerne.
Now II is to be dishonor for dishonor.
lam asking you terrible sacrifice. l
am dragging you with me to the
depths. But there is no other to help
us. Say that you viii"
your grief robs you OF your rea-
SON." said gently. Escape Is not to
be found in that way. 1t Is the last
hone of a desperate and unscrupulous
adventures. who has herself little
hope of success. 1t is her last card,
and she will lose nothing by playing
#. But we, you and /, we risk every
thing"
"Ah. you refuse! You are afraid OF
the risks. / might have known you
would be afraid. That woman said
that 1t was hopeless to ask service
SO heroic from one who was a proven
- Oh, forgive me, did not mean to
say that"
Miss Brett, / think there Is no dis
grace l would not gladly endure to
help you. / swore to rescue your
brothers honor If it we're possible. II
could do so now. though / sacrificed
myself, l tell you / would. More than
that. though every instinct tells me
that I should fail, will do what you
ask even now
Heaven bless you!" She cried
brokenly.
But first of all want you to realize
clearly Just what you are asking.
want you to be quite cure that you are
not adding dishonor to dishonor in
asking me to do this thing. No; it II
not that / am afraid. ] have not thai
kind of fear But think that neither
of us should be so cowardly as to yield
to this woman's demands In the ora
tory yonder lies your brother. Asl
yourself, when you see him, If it II
merely the merciful hand Of death tina
has smoothed his forehead, or whether
the calm and serenity Is that of maj
who held the motto of his house. Hon