The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-05-11
The BRONZTSsp
HE9Id, ~ \
WLOUIS JOSEPH MNcE
AUTHOR OF 1.-THE BRASS BOWL" ETC. NJ
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. by QW WNlUEDS

lGnL HlUQllnS IN MS eyes 10 SO1teQ tQo
almost ascetic austerity of his expires.
sion. In the end. If you live. you
shall win rich reward" he said at
length. He placed the photograph
faoe down upon the table.
"How-a reward"
The love of a worthy Of
you, David"
But" In CONSERVATION Amber
rose, almost knocking over his chair.
"But-Great Scott, mani"
Bear with me. David, for yet q 1T
tie while" Rutton begged. "Sit down"
All right, but" Amber resumed
his seat, staring.
You and Dosgott are to seek her
out, wherever she may be, and rescue
her from what may be worse than
death. And II shall come to pass that
you shall love one another and marry
and live happily ever after-just ~
though you were a prince and she an
enchanted princess in a fairy tale. Da-
vid.'
II must say you seem pretty damn
sure about IT,"
1T must be so, David: it shall be
80. All ali old man-Oidcr than you
think, perhaps-and with g there
sometimes m something strange
ly akin to the gift of second sight. So
] know 1t will be so, though you think
me a mailman
Il don't, indeed, but you .
Well! ! give 1t up" Amber laughed
uneasily. 60 on. Where's this maid
en- in distress?"
In india-l'm not sure just where.
You'll find her, however"
And them"
Then you are to bring her home
with you, without delay"
But suppose"
you must win her first; Their she
will come gladly"
But I've Just told YOU I loved an
other woman. Rutton. ana hesides-'
You mean the Miss Farrell you
mentioned?'
Yes. l."
That will be no obstacle"
What. How in thunder d'you
know It won't?" Amber e~xpostulated.
a faint suspicion Of the truth quick
Zee his wits. "Who is this woman
you want me to marry?"
My daughter"
Your daughtcr!"
MY only child, David"
Then why won't my-my love for
Sophia Farrell interfere?"
Because said Rutton slowly, my
daughter and Sophia Farrell are the
same. No; listen to me; I'm
not raving. Here is my prOof-her
latest photograph" He put It into
Amber's hands.
Dazed, the younger man stared
blankly at the likeness Of the m
he loved; It was unquestionab]y she
He gasped, trembling, |astounded
Sophia =" he said thickly, col
oring holly. He was conscious Of a
tightening Of his throat muscles, ma
king speech a matter of difficulty. But
but he stammered.
Her mother" said Rutton softly,
looking away. was a Russian noble
woman. Sophia is FarreE's daughter
by adoption only. Farrell was once
my closest friend. When my wife
died =" He covered his eyes
with his hand and remained silent for q
few seconds. When Sophia was LEFT
motherless, an infant in arms, Farrell
offered 10 adopt her. Because ! be
came, about that time, aware Of this
horror that has poisoned my life-this
thing of which you have seen soIao
thing tonight accepted on condition
that the truth be never revealed to
her. 1t cost me the friendship Of Far
rel; he was then but lately married
and-and I thought it dangerous TO be
see with him too much. I left Eng
land, having settled upon my daughter
the best part of my fortune. retaining
only enough for my needs. From that
day ! never saw her or heard from
Farrell. Yet l knew l could trust
him. Last summer, when my daugh-
ter was presented at court, I was In
London; ! discovered the name of her
photographer and bribed him 10 sell
NE this He indicated the photo
graph.
And she doesn't know"
she must never know" Rutton
leaned forward and caught Amber's
hand in a compelling grasp. Re
member that. Whatever you do. my
name must never pass your lips-with
reference TO herself, at least. No one
must eve suspect that you know me
Farrell least of all"
Sophia knows that now" said Am
Der. "Quain and l spoke of you one
night, but the name made no impress
sion on her. I'm SUR of that"
That I, good; Farrell has been
true. Now you will 60 TO
India?"
II will CO." Amber promised.
you will be kind to her, and true,
David? You'll love her faithfully and
make her love your"
TN do my best" said the young
man humbly.