Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-09-04

on at once. / was intending to come
anyway. / 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 mel?
He has not even told me that he
expected you"
MOI" The word was highly ex-
touch of wonder, but more than all.
satisfaction. Oswald was always
close-mouthed," he declared Its
good fault; I'm obliged to the boy"
These last words were uttered with
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 con-
versation. have room at the hotel
anu WILL IGI0ln W IL at OACC. III LIE
morning I 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 little tinkle from
the other side of the hall, blanching
the young girls cheeks and causing
Orlando Brotherson's brows to rise
In peculiar satisfaction.
my nrother?" he asked
YES" came in faltering reply. "He
has heard our voices: / 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 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.
Il will accompany you into the
hail." 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 If she
chances to speak. There's point to
be settled between us before either of
us leave this house, and this oppor-
tunity is as good as another. Go to
my brother, Miss Scott; we will await
your return"
A flash from the proud bankers
eye; but no demur, rather gesture Of
consent. Doris, with a look of deep
anxiety. sped away, and the two men
stood face to face
Mr.. Challoner, do you know my
brother?"
81 have never seen him"
do you know him? Does he know
your"
Not at all. We are strangers"
1t was said honestly. They did not
know each other. Mr.. Challoner was
quite correct in his statement
Men sometimes correspond who do
not know each other. You knew that
a Brotherson lived here?"
eyes"
And hoped to learn something
about me"
mo; my interest was solely with
your brother"
With my brother? With Oswald?
What interest can you have in him
apart from me? Oswald is"
Suddenly a thought came-an unim-
aginable one; one with power to
blanch even his hardy cheek and
shake soul unassailable by all small
emotions.
Oswald Brotherson!" he repeated;
adding in unintelligible tones to him
self-"O. B. The same initials They
are following up these initials. Poor
Oswald" Then aloud: ut hardly be-
comes me, perhaps, to question your
motives in this attempt at making my
brothers acquaintance. think can
guess them; but your labor will be
wasted Oswald's interests dc not ex-
tend beyond this town; they hardly
extend to me, We are strangers, al
most. You will learn nothing from
him on the subject which naturally
engrosses you"
Mr.. Challoner simply bowed. "I do
not feel called upon" said he, ito ex-
plain my reasons for wishing to know
your brother. l will simply satisfy you
upon point which may well rouse
your curiosity. You remember that
that my daughters last act was the
writing of letter to a little protegee
of hers. Miss Scott was that protegee.
In seeking her, came upon him. Do
you require me to say more on this
subject? Wait till have seen Mr.. Os-
valid Brotherson and then perhaps
can do so.'
Receiving no answer to this, Mr..
.Challoner turned again to the man
who was the object of his deepest sus.
picions. to find him still in the daze