River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-31
CHAPTER xxx.
Do You Know NV Brother?

Do You Know my Brorner!
Her hands were thrust out to repel,
her features were fixed; her beauty
something wonderful. Orlando Broth
erson, thus met, stared for moment
at the vision before him, then slowly
and with effort withdrawing his gaze.
he sought the face of Mr. Challoner
with the first sign of open disturb
ance that gentleman had ever seen in
him.
Am | in Oswald Brotherson's
house?" he asked. 81 was directed
here. But possibly there may be
some mistaken"
"It is here he lives" said she. NOV
ing back automatically till she stood
again by the threshold of the small
room in which she had received Mr..
Challoner. do you wish to see him
tonight? If so, fear it is impossible.
He has been very i'll and is not al
lowed to receive visits from
strangers"
Il am not a stranger" announced
the newcomer, with a smile few could
see unmoved, it offered such a con-
trast to his stern and dominating fig
ure II thought l heard some words
of recognition which would prove your
knowledge of that fact
She did not answer. Her lips had
parted, but her thought or at least the
expression of her thought hung .sus
pended in the terror of this meeting
for which she was not at all prepared.
| hot
er or not he understood its cause. and
smiled again, as he added:
"Mr. Brotherson must have spoken
of his brother Orlando. / am he, Miss
Scott. EIill you let me come in now?"
Her eyes sought those Of Mr. Chal-
loner, who quietly nodded. Immedi
ately she stepped from before the door
which her figure had guarded and.
motioning him to enter, she begged
Mr.. Challoner, with an imploring look
to sustain her in the interview she
saw before her He had no desire for
this encounter, especially as Mr.
Broth erson's glance in his direction
had been anything but conciliatory
He was quite convinced that nothing
was to be gained by it, but he could
not resist her appeal, and followed
them into the little room whose linn
tied dimensions made the tall Orlando
look bigger and stronger and more
lordIy in his self-confidence than ever
81 am sorry it is SO late" she began.
contemplating his intrusive figure
with forced composure. I'VE have to
be very quiet in the evenings so as
not to disturb your brothers first
sleep which is of great Importance to
him.
Then I'm not to see him tonight?"
81 pray you to wait. He's-he's been
very sick man."
Dangerously so?"
yes"
Orlando continued to regard her
with a peculiar awakening gaze, show
ing, Mr. Challoner thought, more in
terest in her than in his brother, and
when he spoke it was mechanically
and as if in sole obedience to the pro-
p;ieties of the occasion.
81 did not know he was i'll till very
lately. His last letter was a cheerful
one. and / supposed that all was right
TIL chance revealed the truth / came
on at once. was intending to come
anyway l have business here, as You
probably know, Miss Scott"
She shook her head 81 know very
little about business" said she.
MY brother has not told you why
he expected me?"
"He has not even told me that ne
expected you
MOP" The -t.IE vas highly ex-
pressive; there vas surprise in it and
a touch of wonder, but more than oil.
satisfaction. Oswald was always
close mouthed," he declared Its t.
good fault; I'm obliged to the boy
These last words were uttered with
a lightness which imposed upon his
two highly agitated hearers, causing
Mr. Challoner to frown and Doris to
shrink back in indignation at the man
who could indulge in sportive sug-
gestion in presence of such fears, if
not of such memories, as the situation
evoked.
'The hour is late for further con-
versation. l have a room at the hotel
and will return to it at once. In the
morning | hope to see my brother"
He was going, Doris not knowing
what to say, Mr. Challoner not desir-
Gus of OBTAINING him, when there
, came the sound of a little tinkle from
J the other side of the hall, blanching
the young girls cheeks and causing
: Orlando Brotherson's brows to rise
| in peculiar satisfaction.
my brother?" he asked.
: YES" came in faltering reply. "He
! has heard our voices: l must go to
) him."
: Say that Orlando wishes him q
, good night" smiled her hearts enemy
J with bow of infinite grace.
: She shuddered, and was fastening
. from the room when her glance fell
] on Mr.. Challoner. He was pale and
looked greatly disturbed. The pros
] pect of being left alone with man