Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-22

me rooms below; and, by the force of !
an irresistible demand, learn in q mo-
ment whether he had to do with a
mere chimera of his own overweight
fancy. or with a fact which would call
into play all the resources of an hith-
erto unconquered and undaunted ma
ture
There was a wood-fre burning in
the sitting-room that night, and around
It was grouped a number OF men with
their papers and pipes. Mr.. Brother
son, entering. naturally looked that
way for the man he was in search of,
and vas disappointed not TO 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 a
. fl of abstraction.
Orlando was, as have said, an extra
ordinary specimen OF manly vigor in
body and in mind, and his presence in
any company always attracted atten-
ton and reused, IL it never satisfied,
curiosity. Conversation accordingly
ceased as he strobe up to Mr.. Challon-
er's side, so that his words were quite
audible as he addressed that gentle
man with a somewhat curt:
You see me again, Mr.. Challoner.
May | beg OF you a few minutes
further conversation? l 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 mis- answer was courteous
enough. II Mr.. Brotherson knew
place where they would be left undis-
turbed, he would listen to him if be
would be very brief
For reply, the other pointed to
small room quite unoccupied which
opened out of the one in which they
then stood. Mr.. 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
Mr.. 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
bers OF your family-of your deceased
daughter In fact?"
"No"
She was acquainted with Oswald
Brotherson."
She was?"
Without your knowledge?"
Entirely so"
"Corresponded with him."
Not exactly"
How, not exactly"
He wrote to her-occasionally. She
wrote to him frequently-but she new
er sent her letters"
"Ah!"
The exclamation was sharp, short
and conveyed little. Yet with it's es-
cape, the whole scaffolding of this
mans hold upon life and his own fate
went down in indistinguishable chaos
Mr.. Challoner realized a sense of
havoc. though the eyes bent upon his
-countenance had not wavered, nor the
stalwart figure moved
Il have read some of those letters. -
} the inventor finally Acknowledged.
The police took great pains TO place
them under my eye, supposing them
10 have been meant for me because of
the initials written on the wrapper
But they we're meant for Oswald. You
believe that now?"
81 know it,"
And that is why I found you in
the same house with him"
1T is. Providence has robbed me
OF my daughter; II this brother OF
yours should prove TO be the man
am led to expect, shall ask him to
take that place in my heart and life
which was once hers"
A 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 vuI
nerable spot in Brotherson's breast
which had never been pierced before
IL was sight no man could see IN
moved. Mr.. Challoner turned sharp
ly away, IN dread OF the abyss which
the next word he uttered might open
between them.
But Orlando Brotherson possessed
resources OF strength OF which, pos
sibly, he was not aware himself. When
Mr.. 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 hac
conquered all outward manifestation
of the mysterious emotion which fol-
an instant had laid his proud spirit
~ low