Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-10-09

thus demanue0. TO nad supposed
himself rid OF this man. He had dis.
missed him from his life when he had
dismissed Sweetwater His face. 40.
cordingly, wore anything but pro
pitiatory look, when promptly at the
hour OF seven. Orlando Brotherson en-
tered his apartments.
His pleasure or HIS displeasure was,
however, a matter of small conse-
quence to his selfinvited visitor He
had come there with set purpose,
and nothing in heaven or earth could
deter him from 1t now. Declining the
offer of a seat, with the slightest OF
acknowledgment in the way of a
bow. he took a careful survey Of the
room before saying:
Are We alone, MIR. Chalioner, or Is
that man Sweetwater lurking some
where within hearingw
MIR. Sweetwater is gone, as had
the honor of telling you yesterday"
was the somewhat stiff reply. There
are no witnesses to this conference, II
that is what you wish to know"
THANK you, but you wfTl pardon
my insistance IL request the privilege
OF closing that door" He pointed to
the one communicating with the bed
room. THE information / have to
give you is not such as | am willing
to have shared. at least for the pres
emit"
''You may close the door," said Mr..
Challoner coldly. "But is 1t necessary
for you to give me the information
you mention, tonight? II 1t is of such
a nature that you cannot accord me
the privilege of sharing 1t. AS yet, with
others, why not spare me till you can
have gone through much, Mr.. Broth
erson."
"You have" came In steady assent
as the man THUS addressed stepped to
the door he had Indicated and quietly
closed it. But" he continued. as he
crossed back to his former position,
would it be easier for you to go
through the night now In anticipation
of what have to reveal than to hear
it at once from my lips while am In
the mood to speak?"
The answer was slow in coming.
The courage which had upheld this
rapidly aging man through SO many
trying interviews, seemed inadequate
for the test put SO cruelty upon It, He
faltered and sank heavily into chair,
while the stern man Watching him.
gave no signs of responsive sympathy
or even interest, only patient and
icy-tempered resolve.
Il cannot live In uncertainty" such
were finally Mr.. Challoner's words.
What you have to say concerns
Edith" The pause he made was In
finitesimal In length, but 1t was long
enough for q quick disclaimer. But
no such disclaimer came. Il will hear
1t" came in reluctant finish
Mr.. Brotherson took a step forward
His manner was as cold as the heart
which lay like stone In his bosom
"Will you pardon me II ask you to
riser said he. Il have my weaknesses
too. Gle gave no sign OF them) II
cannot speak down from such height
to the man am bound to hurt"
40 ~ lht, W bhV COhDSA dtAt VI
a viii quite outside his own, Mr.. Chai-
Toner rose. Their heads were now
more nearly on level and Mr. Broth
erson's voice remained low, as he pro-
ceeded. with quiet intensity:
There has been time--and 1t may
exist yet, God knows--when you
thought me in some unknown and So
cret way the murderer of your daugh-
ter / do not quarrel with the sus-
picion; it was justified. Mr.. Challoner
/ did kin your daughter, and with this
handi ! can no longer deny it."
The wretched father swayed, follow
ing the gesture of the hand thus held
out; but he did not fall. nor did a
sound leave his lips.
Brotherson went coldly on:
II did 1t because regarded her
treatment to my suit as insolent
have no mercy for any such display OF
intolerance on the part of the rich and
the fortunate. / hated her for IT.;
hated her class, herself and all she
stood for To strike the dealer of such