Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-03-21
NYOurs truly.
ORLANDO BROTHERSON."


NYours truly,
"ORLANDO BROTHERSON."
Mr.. ChaIioner had been called upon
to face many difficult and heartrend-
ing duties since the blow which had
desolated his home fell upon him.
But from none of them had he
shrunk as he did from the interview
thus demanded. He had supposed
himself rid of this man. He had dis
missed him from his life when he had
dismissed Sweetwater. His face, &C
cordingly, wore anything but a pro-
pitiatory look. when promptly at the
hour of seven, Orlando Brotherson en-
tered his apartments.
His pleasure or his displeasure was,
however. matter of small conse-
quence to his self-invited visitor. He
had come there with a set purpose,
and nothing in heaven or earth could
deter him from 4 now. Declining the
offer of seat, with the slightest of
Acknowledgements in the way of a
bow, he took a careful survey of the
room before saying:
Are we alone, >Mr. Chailoner, or is
that man Sweetwater lurking some
where within hearing?"
"Mr. Sweetwater is gone, as ! had
the honor of telling you yesterday,
was the somewhat stiff reply. There
are no witnesses 70 this conference, If
that is what you wish to know"
Thank you, t1t you will pardon
my insistence i'll frequest the privilege
of closing that Soor" 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.
ent."
You may close the door" said Mr.
ChGlloner colby. But is It necessary
for you TO give me the information
you mention, tonight? II it is Of such
a nature that you cannot accord me
the privilege of sharing it, as yet, with
others, why not spare me till you can
have gone through much, Mr. Broth
ersoR."
You have" came in steady assent
as the man thus addressed stepped Il
the door he had indicated and quietly
closed IT, But" he continued, as he
crossed back to his former position
would il be easier for you to &c
through the night now in anticipation
of what have to reveal than to heal
it at once from my lips while | am il
the mood to speak?"
The answer was slow in coming
The courage which had upheld thi,
rapidly aging man through SO man!
trying interviews. seemed inadeQuat,
for the test put so cruelty upon it. FL,
faltered and sank heavily into a chair
while the stern man watching him
gave no signs of responsive sympath!
or even interest, only a patient ant
fcy-tempered resolve.
II cannot live in uncertainty" sucl
What you have 10 say concerns
Edith" The pause he made was in
finitesimal in length, but it was Ion:
enough for a quick disclaimer. Blu
no such disclaimer came. Il will hea
it." came in reluctant finish.
Mr. Brotherson took a step forward
His hammer was as cold as the hear
which lay like a stone in his bosom.
''Wil&you pardon me if ask you L
rise? said he. II have my weaknesses
too, Tie gave no sign of them.) .
cannot speak down from such a heigh
to the man am bound to hurt"
AS IL answering to the constraint o
a will quite outside his own. Mr.. Chal
loner rose. Their heads were nov
more nearly on a level and Mr. Broth
erson's voice remained low, as he pro
ceeded, with quiet intensitys