Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-09-18


these brothers we're to meet on the
morrow, it must be with the full I'M
derstanding that this especial topic
was to be completely avoided. But in
what words could he urge such re-
quest upon this man? None suggest
ed themselves, yet he had promised
Miss Scott that he would insure his
silence In this regard, and 1t was with
this difficulty and no other he had
been struggling when Mr.. Brotherson
came upon him in the other room.
You have still something to say"
suggested the latter. as an oppressive
silence swallowed up that icy sentence
have already recorded.
II have" returned Mr.. Challoner, re-
gaining his courage under the exigen-
cies of the moment Miss Ecott is
very anxious to have your promise
that you will avoid all disagreeable
topics with your brother till the doc
tor pronounces him strong enough to
meet the trouble which awaits him"
you mean"
He is not as unhappy as we. He
knows nothing of the affiiction which
has befallen him. He was taken ILL"
The rest was almost inaudible.
do you think | should be apt to
breach this subject with anyone, let
alone with him, whose connection
with 1t l shall need days to realize?
I'm not so given to gossip. Besides,
he and have other topics of interest.
| have an invention ready with which
propose to experiment In place
he has already prepared for me- We
can talk about that"
The irony, the hardy self-possession
with which this was said struck Mr..
Challoner to the heart. Without a
word he wheeled about towards the
door. Without word, Brotherson
stood. watching him go till he saw his
hand fall on the knob when he quietly
prevented his exit by saying:
Unhappy truths cannot be long con-
cealed. How soon does the doctor
think my brother can bear these in
evitable reyelations?"
He said this morning that il his
pGtACAi WClO 40 WCil tOlnOiAON oo 1AAo
present condition gives promise of, he
might be told in another week"
Orlando bowed his appreciation of
this fact. but added quickly:
who Is to do the telling?"
Doris" nobody else could be trust.
ed with SO delicate task"
Il wish to be present"
Mr. Challoner looked up, surprised
at the feeling with which this request
was charged.
las his brother-his only remaining
relative, I have that right. Do you
think that Dor-that Miss Scott, can
be trusted not to forestall that mo-
ment by any previous hint of what
awaits him."
'If she so promises. But will you
exact this from her? 1t surely cannot
be necessary for me to say that your
presence will add infinitely to the diff
Guilty of her task"
yet it Is duty l cannot shirk.
will consult the doctor about It, | will
make him see that l both understand
and shah insist upon my rights in this
matter. But you may tell Miss Dor
is that I will sit out of sight, and that
shall not obtrude myself unless my
name is brought up in an undesirable
way"
The hand on the door-knob made a
sudden movement.
Mr.. Brotherson, | can bear no more
tonight. With your permission, will
leave this question to be settled by
Others" And with repetition OF his
former bow, the bereayed father with
drew.
Orlando watched him till the door
closed, then he too dropped his mask.
But is was on again, when in little
while he passed through the sitting.
room on his way upstairs.
No other day in his whole life had
been like this to the hardy inventor;
for in it both his heart and his con-
science had. been awakened, and up to
this hour he had not really known
that he possessed either.