The Huttig news., 1913-03-08
CHAPTER XIV.
The Oval Hut.

Hdl HlBHI LIT. feHtDH Hdu d NiSltOF.
 Sweetwater, who knew when to be frank and open, as we'll as when to be reserved and ambiguous, made no effort to disguise the nature of his business or his chief cause of interest in Oswald Brotherson.
 His first word, therefore, was a plain announcement.
 "Dr. Fenton, my name is Sweet water. I am from New York, and rep resent for the nonce, MT Challoner. whose name I have simply to mention, for you to understand that my busi- ness is with Mir Brotherson, whom 1 am sorry to find seriously, if not dan gerously i'll. Will you tell me how long you think it will be before I can have a talk with him on sub feet which l will not disguise from you may prove a very exciting one?"
 Weeks, weeks" returned the doc tor. MT. Brotherson nas been a very sick man and the only hope I have of his recovery is the fact that he is ignorant of his trouble or that he has any cause for doubt or dread What then. if any intimation should be given him Of the horrible tragedy suggested by the name YOU have men, toned? The man would die before your eyes. NIT. Ghalloner's business will have to wait"
 That l see; but if knew when might speak"
 T can give you no date. You had better return to New York Later, you can write me if you wish, or MT. Challoner can. You may have confi- dence in my reply; it will aot mislead vou."
 Sweetwater muttered his thanks and rose. Then he slowly sat down again.
 'Dr. Fenton," he began, you are a man to be trusted. I'm in devil of a fix. and there is just possibility that you may, be able to help me out. It is the general impression in New York, as you know, that Miss Chal- loner committed suicide. But the cir. cumstances do not fully bear out this theory, nor can MT. Challoner be made to accept 1t. Indeed, he is so con- vinced of it's faisehood, that he stands ready to do anything. pay anything, suffer anything, to have this distress ing blight .emoved from his daugh- ter's good name. MT 8rotherson was her dearest friend, and as such may have the clew to this mystery, but Mir. Brotherson may not be in con dition to speak for several weeks Meanwhile. Mr. Chailoner must sui fer from great suspense unless" a pause during which he searched the doctors face with a perfectly frank and inquiring ypression-"unles some ore else can help us out. Dr. Fenton, can ycu?"
 The doctor did not need to speak; his expression conveyed his answer.
 "No more than another" said he Except for what Doris felt compelled to tell me, I know as little as your self. MT Brotherson's deiirium took the form Of calling continually upon one name. I did net know this name but Doris cid, also the danger lurking in the fact that he had yet to hear c. tiiC tIdSECg HHitH HtQ IODDCG nt f4i of this woman to whom he was SC deeply attached. So she told me just this much. That the Edith whose name rung so continuously in cur ears was no other than the Miss Chrnoncr of New York of whose death and its tragic circumstances the papers have boen full; that their engagement was q secret one unshared so far as she knew by any one but herself That she begged me to preserve this secret end to give her all the help I could when tae time came Cor aim to ask questions. Especially did she entreat r2e to be with her at the crisis was, but his waking was quite natural He cid not ask for Miss Challoner:: he only inquired how long he had been i'll and whether Doris had received a letter during that time. She had not received one. fact which seemed tc disappoint him: but she carried 1t of so gaily lshe is wonderful girl, N.