The daily Alaskan., 1908-12-01

aeavorlng to roll up the sleeve and stanch the blood that now trickled fin a tiny stream down his arm. Mus grave pushed her from him.
 'It was right" he cried hoarsely. "The shot hit the man for whom 1t was intended, but you did not aim at the heart. Was your brother Paul DesplainesT
 That was my mothers name," she explained. Paul took 1t so that when he should return Desplalnes, the min err and Barthon, the millionaire, would not be the same. It was child lsh. but he was but boy"
 Ut was common to use other names," said NIusgrave harshly. "I' was Jack Joyce up there"
 "You9 The girl recoiled and half turned to where the revolver lay upon the floor. The studio building was al- most deserted, and the sound of the report had brought no inquiry.
 q am the man who shot your broth er." continued Musgrave. Ut was an accident. was cleaning my gun while Paul lay In his bunk. l did not see that one cartridge was left In the chamber. l snapped the hammer to see If 1t was llmbered up and-it hap pened."
 Overcome by the horror of the recol- lection, Musgrave buried his face In hls arms for q moment while the girl stood silently by. Her face was ghast- ly white, tue lines drawn and tense, and in the blue eyes was horror un- speakable.
 Tt was an accident" Went on Mus grave after moment. "Tbe boys un- derstood and let me so. left the country and came back to New York. I had never liked the law. To escape that profession I went to Alaska. could draw rather well, and came back at a time when the northern nov els were first coming out and men who could draw Alaskan scenes were in demand.
 "I made success and spent my money looking for Jeanne Desplalnes. There Is money In the bank that l have kept until | could find her. the money that Paul had helped me earn. | never dreamed that you were she, you are so unlike Paul.
 That picture you have with the scar Is misleading. The scar is the result of photographic error, a defect in the glass. l had some made because the effect was so odd That is why you did not know me. You looked for the scar You will not believe that 1t was an accident You just said so. Shoot if you will Take life for the life I robbed you of"
 He rose unsteadily to hls feet, stoop- ed and raised the revolver from the floor, handing 1t to the silent girl.
 Perhaps 1t would be better if l did it myself" he said bitterly as she made no move 10 take the proffered weapon. Tt will relieve you of all consequences. I will welcome death since now know that my love Is hopeless. will go to my own studio"
 Unsteadily he staggered toward the door. The girl watched uNi his hand groped for the knob, then, with sud den revulslon of feeling, she rushed toward him.
 You shall not You shall not" she cried passiouately, Tt was mistake Frank. know now, for did not shoot you by accident? It was only the good God who turned the bullet aside because he had sent you to make me happy. It was lesson to me, who had disputed the wisdom of God. It was an accident, dearest, and now that know that the thought of vengeance and and prison no longer stand between'-
 You will marry me after what l have told you?" he cried in wonder.
 God Is good" she said reverently. "He has taken my brother from me, but be has sent you-in place of Paul." and she suffered him to draw her with ln the circle of his arms.