The Huttig news., 1913-03-29

siAN iO0hiG bCAHN+ SIiGs Attt iNitV VI an irresistible demand, learn U a mo ment whether he had to do with mere ehimera of his own oyerw3ough fancy, or With q fact which would cali into play all the resources of an hith erto unconquered and unoaunted na ture
 There was a wood-fire burning in he sitting-room that night, and around it Was grouped q number of men with their papers and pipes. MT. Brother son, entering, naturally looked that way for the man he was in search of, and was disappointed not 10 find him there; but on casting his glances else. where, he was relieved to see him standing in one of the windows over looking the street. His back was to the room and he seemed to be lost in . ] tit of abstraction.
 Orlando was, as have said, an extra ordinary specimen of manly vigor in body and i'll mind, and his presence in any company always attracted atten- ton and reused, if 1t never satisfied, curiosity Conversation accordingly ceased as he strode up to MT. Challon- CTS side, so that his words were quite audible as he addressed that gentle man with a somewhat curt:
 You see me again, Mir. Challoner May l beg of you few minutes further conversation? 1 will not de- tain you long"
 The gray head turned, and the many eyes watching showed surprise at the expression of dislike and repulsion with which this New York gentleman met the request thus emphatically urged. But his answer was courteous enough. If Mr Brotherson knew a place where they would be left undis- turbed, he would listen to him if he would be very brief.
 For reply, the other pointed to a small room quite unoccupied which opened out Of the one in which they then stood. MT. Challoner bowed and in another moment the door closed up on them, to the infinite disappoint- ment Of the men about the hearth.
 What do you wish to ask?" was MT. Challoner's immediate inquiry
 This. make no apologies and ex. pect in answer nothing more than an unequivocal yes or no You tell me that you have never met my brother Can that be said of the other mem- bars of your family-of your deceased daughter, in fact?'
 No"
 "She was acquainted with Oswald Brotherson"
 "She was?"
 Without your knowledge?" Entirely so."
 Cores bonded with him?"
 Not exactly
 How, not eXactly?"
 "He wrote to her-occasionally. She wrote to him frequently-but she nev- CT sent her letters.1
 "Ah,'
 The exclamation was sharp. short and conveyed little. Yet with it's es- cape, the whole seaffolding of this mans hold upon life and his own fate vent down in indstinguishable chaos AEr. Challoner realized sense of haToc. though the eyes bent upon his eouatenance had not wavered, nor the stalwart figure moved
 Il have read some of those letters" thS inventor finally acknowledged "The police took great pains to place thoIi under my eye, supposing them to have been meant for me because of the initials written on the wrapper. Eat they were meant for Oswald. You believe that now?"
 'I know 1t"
 And that is why I found you in tie same house with him."
 Tt is. Providence has robbed me of my daughter; if this brother of yours should prove to be the man I am led to expect, I shall ask him to take that place in my heart and life which was once hers"
 quick recoil, a smothered excla- nation on the part of the man he ad- dressed. A barb had been hidden in this simple statement which had reached some deeply-hidden but vul- nerable spot in Brotherson's breast, which had never been pierced before It was a sight no man could see un- moved. MT Challoner turned sharp " dWdy. III UTe3u or the aDySS Winch the next word he uttered might open between them.
 But Orlando Brotherson possessed resources of strength Of winch, pos sibly he was not aware himself. When Mir. Challoner, still more affected by the silence than by the dread l have mentioned, turned to confront him again, it was to find his features com posed and his glance clear He had conquered all outward manifestation of the mysterious emotion which for an instant had laid his proud spirit low.
 You are considerate of my broth. err were the words with which he re- opened this painful conversation You will not find your confidence mis- placed. Oswald is a straightforward fellow, of few faults"
 "l believe it. No man can be so uni- yersally beloved without some very substantial claims to regard I am