The Huttig news., 1913-04-05


 she waited for the question he was gathering strength to utter. It was simple when 1t came; just two words:
 How long?"
 She answered them as simply:
 Just as long as you have been ill" said she; then. with no attempt to break the inevitable shock, she went on: Miss Challoner was struck dead and you were taken down with ty- phoid on the selfsame day"
 Struck dead! Why do you use that word. struck? Struck dead! she, young woman. Oh, Doris, an acci- dent! My darling has been killed in all accidenti"
 .'fhey do not call 1t accident. They aeyer was,. she insisted, pressing him back with frightened hands. as he strove to rise. Miss Challoner vas" How nearly the word shot had left her lips. How fereely above all else tn that narrowing moment had risen the desire to fling the accusation of that word into the ears of him who listened from his secret hiding-place. She refrained out of compassion for the man she loved, and declared in- stead, Miss Challoner died from 8 wound; how given, why given, no one knows. I had rather have died my self than have to tell you this. Oh. Mir. Brotherson. speak, sob, do any thing but
 She cfo fof hsr t7,0 hands as she did so. With quick intu- ition she saw that he must be left to himself if ha were to meet this blow without suecumbing. The body must have freedom If the spirit would not go mad Conscious, or perhaps not conscious, of his release from her re- straining hand. albeit profiting by it, he staggered to his feet, murmuring that word of doom: Wound, wound! my darling died of a wound What kind of wound?" he suddenly thun- dered out .I cannot understand what you mean by wound. Make it clear to i me. Make it clear to me at once If I must bear this grief, let me know it's whole depth. Leave nothing to my imagination or l cannot answer for l myself. Tell 1t all, Doris.'' l And Doris told him:
 She was on the mezzanine floor of the hotel where she lives. She was seemingly happy and had been writing letter-a letter to me which they never forwarded. There was no one else by but some strangers good people whom one must believe. She was crossing the floor when sud denly she threw up her hands and fell. A thin, narrow psper-cutter was in her grasp; and 1t flew into the lobby Some say she struck herself with that cutter; for when they picked her up they found a wound in her breast which that cutter might have made"
 Edith? never!"
 The words were chokingly said; he was swaying. almost falling, but he steadied himself
 .Who says that?" he asked
 Tt was the coroner's verdict"
 And she died that way-died?"
 Immediately"
 After writing to your"
 "Yes."
 What was in the letter?"
 Nothing of threat, they say. Only just cheer and expressions of hope Just like the others, Mr. Brotherson."
 And they accuse her of taking her own life? Their verdict is He. They did not know her" Then, after some moments of wild and confused feeling. he declared, with desperate effort at self-controi: You said that some he lieve this. Then there must be oth, CTS who do not What do they say?"
 Nothing. They simply feel as you do. They see no reason for the act and no evidence of her having medi- tated it. Her father and her friends insist besises, that she was incapable of such a horror. The mystery of it is killing us all; me above others, for I've had to show you cheerful face. with my brain reeling and my heart like lead in my bosom"
 She held out her hands. She tried to draw his attention to herself not from any sentiment of egotism. but 10 break, If she could, the strain of these insupportable horrors where so short a time before Hope sang and Life reveled in reawakened Joys.
 Perhaps some faint realization of this reached him, for presently he caught her by the hands and bowed lis head upon her shoulder and finally let her seat him again. before he said:
 Do they know of-of my interest in this?"
 'Yes; they know about the two 3. B.'s"
 "The two" He was on his feet again, but only for moment: his weakness was greater than his will power
 Orlando and Oswald Brotherson." she explained. in answer to his brol1- on appeal. Your brother wrote let ters to her as well as you, and signed them just as you did. with his ini- tials only. These letters were found n her desk,- and he was supposed. for