The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-01-23

here. But possibly there may be
some mistaken"
ut 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 Ill and is not al.
lowed to receive visits from
strangers"
| Il am not stranger" announced
the newcomer, with smile few could
see unmoved. 1t offered such a con.
trast to his stern and dominating fig-
ure. Il thought heard come 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.
He seemed to note this terror, wheth-
er or not he understood it's cause, and
smiled again, as he added:
"Mr. Brotherson must have spoken
Of his brother, Orlando. / am he, Miss
Scott. Will 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 10 desire for
this encounter, especially as Mr..
Brotherson's glance in his direction
| had been anything but conciliatory.
He was quite convinced that nothing
was to be gained by 1t, 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
+, lordly in his self-confidence than ever.
IT am sorry it is so late." she began,
, contemplating his intrusive figure
with forced composnre. 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"
Il pray you to wait. He's-he's been
very sick man."
Dangerously sou
Eyes"
! Orlando continued to regard her
with peculiar awakening gaze, show
ing, Mr. ChalIoner 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-
prieties of the occasion.
II did not know he was III till very
lately. His last letter was cheerful
one. and supposed that all vas ri~Ist
till chance revealed the truth l came
on at once. / was intending to come
anyway. | have business here, as YOU
probably know, Miss Scott"
She shook her head. II know very
little about business" said she. I
my brother has not told you My
he expected me?"
"He has not even told me that he
expected YOU"
MOI" The word was highly ex-
pressive; there was surprise in it and
touch of wonder. but more than all.
satisfaction. Oswald was always
close-mouthed," he declared. TITS.
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.
1.-THE hour is late for further corr
versation. / have a room at the hotel
and will return to it at once In the
morning l hope to see my brother."a
He was going, Doris not knowing
what to say, Mr. Challoner not desir-
ous of OBTAINING him, when there
came the sound Of little tinkle from
the other side Of the hall, blanching
the young girls cheeks and causing
Orlando Brotherson's brows to rise
I'll peculiar satisfaction. :.
My brother?" he asked.
Yes" came in ialtering reply. "He
has heard our voices: l must go to
him..
"Say that Orlando wishes him a
good night" smiled her hearts enemy,
with bow of infinite grace.
She shuddered. ard 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 a man
whom she had herself denounced to
him as his daughters murderer, might
prove a tax to his strength to which
she had no right TO subject him. Paus-
Ing with an appealing air, she made
him slight gesture which he at once
understood.
will accompany you into the |
hall" said he. "Then if anything is
wrong. you have but to speak my
name"
But Orlando Brotherson, displeased
by this move, took step which !
brought him between the two.
You can hear her from here II she
chances to speak. There's a point to |
be settled between us before either of !
as leave this house, and this oppor- !
tunity ia as pOod nc aunther 10 "a /