The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-11-26

Leavcring to roll up the sleeve and
stanch the blood that now trickled in
u tiny stream down his arm. Mus
grave pushed her from him.
1T was right" he cried hoarsely.
1.-THE shot hit tie man for whom it
was intended, but you did not aim ut
the heart. Was your brother Paul
Desplaines:"
THAT was my mothers name" she
explained. Paul tool 1t so that when
he should return Desplaines, the min
or, and Barthon. the millionaire,
would not be the same. 1t was child
ish, but he was but a boy"
ut was common to use other Names"
said Musgrave harshly. II was Jack
Joyce up there"
"You" The girl recoiled and half
turned to where the revolver lay upon
the door. The studio building was al
most deserted. and the sound Of the
report had brought no inquiry.
II am the man who shot your broth
err" continued Musgrave. 1T was an
accident. l 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 it was limbered up and-it hap
kened."
Overcome by the horror Of the recol-
lection, Musgrave buried his face In
his arms for a moment while the girl
stood silently by. Her face was ghast-
ly white, the lines drawn and tense,
and in the blue eyes was horror I'M
speakable.
ut was an accident" went on Mus
grave after a moment. THE boys I'M
derstOod and let mt 60. l left the
country and came back to New York.
that profession l went to Alaska. l
could draw rather well. and l came
back at a time when the northern nov
els were first coming out and men who
could draw Alaskan scenes were In
demand.
IL made n success n spent my
money looking for Jeanne Desplaines,
There is money In the bank that !
have kept until I could find her, the
money that Paul had helped me earn.
I never dreamed that you were she,
you are so unlike Paul.
THAT picture you have with the seal
is misleading. The scar Is the result OF
a Photographic error, a defect in the
glass. | 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 it was
an accident. You just said 50. Shoot
If you will. Take a life for the life
robbed Won Of"
He use ~unsteadily to his feet, stoop
cd and raised the revolver from the
floor, handing 1t to the silent girl.
"Pcrhaps it would be better If | did
1t myself" he said bitterly as she made
no move to take the proffered weapon
at will relieve you Of all consequences
I will welcome death since now I know
that my love is hopeless. I will go &c
my own studio"
Unsteadily he staggered toward the
door. The girl watched until his hand
CROPPED for the knob, then, with a sud
den revulsion Of feeling, she rushed
toward him.
You shall not! You shall not" sht
cried ~passionately. at was a mistake
Frank. / know now, for did ] MOI
shoot you by accident? 1t was only the
good God who turned the bullet aside
because he had sen you to make me
happy. 1t was a lesson to me, who had
disputed the wisdom Of God. 1t was ar
accident. dearest, and now that I know
that the thought Of vengeance and
and prison no longer stand between
You will marry me after what
have told yOu?" he cried In wonder.
God is good" she said reverently
"He has taken my brother from me
but he has sem youth place Of Paul
and she suffered him to draw her with
In the circle Of his arms.