Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1909-01-07

deayoring to roll up the sleeve and
stanch the blood that now trickled in
tiny stream down his arm. Mus
grave pushed her from him.
1T was rightw he cried hoarsely.
1.-THE shot hit the man for whom 1t
was intended, but you did not aim at
the heart. Was your brother Paul
Desplainesy'
THAT was my mothers name" she
explained. paul took it so that when
he should return Desplaines, the min
er, and Barthon, the millionaire,
would not be the same. 1t was child
ish, but he was but boy"
"It was common to use other Names"
said Musgrave harshly. IL was Jack
Joyce up there"
your 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.
81 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. | snapped the hammer to
see IL 1t was limbered up and-it hap
pened."
Overcome by the horror of the recol-
lection, Musgrave buried his face In
his arms for 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.
at was an accident" went on Mus
grave after moment. The boys I'M
derstood and let me go. / left the
country and came back to New York
| had never liked the law. To escape
that profession | went to Alaska
could draw rather well, and I came
back at time when the northern nov
els were first coming out and men who
could draw Alaskan scenes were In
demand.
81 made success and spent my
money looking for Jeanne Desplaines
There Is money in the bank that |
hdNS hCBl uhlll NOulu ltI, ll1t
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
a Photographic error. 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 so. Shoot
IL you will Take a life for the life |
robbed you Of"
He rose unsteadily to his feet. stoop-
ed and raised the revolver from the
floor. handing II to the silent girl.
Perhaps It would be better II did
It myself" he said bitterly as she made
no move to take the proffered weapon.
ut will relieve you of all consequences.
will welcome death since now know
that my love Is hopeless. win go to
my own studio"
Unsteadily he staggered toward the
door The girl watched until his hand
CROPPED for the knob, then, with sud
den revulsion Of feeling, she rushed
toward him.
You shall not! You shall notv' she
cried passionately. "It was a mistake,
Frank. l know now. for did l not
shoot you by accident? 1t was only the
good God who turned the bullet aside
because he had sent you to make me
happy. 1t was lesson To me. who had
disputed the wisdom of God. 1t 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
have told you?" he cried in wonder
God Is good" she said reverently.
"He has taken my brother from me,
but he has sent youth place of Paul"
and she suffered him to draw her with.
In the circle of his arms.