The Raymer enterprise., 1914-01-08

and get well faster-or not get well
at ALL"
This latter he half whispered, and
Doris, tripping from the room may not
have heard It. for her face showed no
further shadow as she ushered In
Mr.. Challoner. and closed the door
behind him. She had looked forward
to this moment for days. To Oswald,
however. 1t was an unexpected ex.
citement and his voice trembled with
something more than physical weak
ness as he greeted his visitor and
thanked him for his attentions.
Doris says that you have shown
me this kindness from the desire you
have to see me well again, Mr.. Chal.
loner. Is this true?"
Very true. | cannot emphasize
the fact too strongly"
Oswald's eyes met his again, this
time with great earnestness.
You must have serious reasons for
feeling so-reasons which do not
quite understand May ask why you
place such value upon a life which.
II ever useful to itself or others, has
lost and lost forever. the one delight
which gave 1t meaning?"
1t was for Mr.. Challoner's voice to
tremble now. as reaching out his
hand, he declared, with unmistakable
feeling:
Il have no son. l have no interest
in life. outside this room and the pos.
sibilities 1t contains for me. Your
attachment to my daughter has ere.
ated a bond between us. Mr.. Brother.
son. which ! sincerely hope to see
recognized by you"
Startled and deeply moved, the
young man stretched out a shaking
hand towards his visitor. with the
feeble but exulting cry:
Then you do not blame me for her
wretched and mysterious death. You
hold me guiltless Of the misery which
nerved her despairing arm?"
Quite guiltless."
Oswald's wan and pinched features
took on a beautiful expression and
Mr.. Challoner no longer wondered
at his daughters choice.
Thank God!" fell from the sick
mans lips. and then there was q si-
lence during which their two hands
mot.
1t was some minutes before either
spoke and then 1t was Oswald who
said:
I must confide to you certain facts.
honored your daughter and realized
her position fully. Our plight was
never made in words, nor should
have presumed to advance any claim
to her hand II had not made good
my expectations, Mr.. Challoner.
meant to win both her regard and
yours by acts. not words. felt that
had a great deal to do and was
prepared to work and wait. I loved
her" He turned away his head
and the silence which filed up the
gap united those two hearts as the
old and young are seldom united.
But when little later Mr.. Challon-
er re1oined Doris. In her little sitting.
room. he nevertheless showed per-
plexity she had hoped to see removed
by this understanding with the
younger Brotherson.
The cause became apparent as soon
as he spoke.
These brothers hold by each
other" said he. Oswald will hear
nothing against Orlando. He says
that he has redeemed his fault. He
does not even protest that his broth
er's word is to be believed In this
matter. He does not seem to think
that necessary. He evidently regards
Orlandos personality as speaking as
truly and satisfactorily for itself, as
his own does. And dared not unde-
ceive him."
He does not know all our reasons
for distrust. He has heard nothing
about the poor washerwoman."
No. and he must not-not for
weeks. He has borne all that he can"
His confidence In his older brother
is sublime. ! do not share It; but
cannot help but respect him for IT,"
1t was warmly said, and Mr.. Chal-
loner could not forbear casting an
anxious look at her upturned face.
What he saw there made him turn
away with sigh.
This confidence has for me a very
unhappy side." he remarked. "It shows
me oswald's thought. He who loved
her best. accepts the cruel verdict of
an unreasoning public"
Doris large eyes burned with .
weird light upon his face"
He has not had my dream" she
murmured. with all the quiet OF an
unmoved conviction.
Yet as the days went by, even her
manner changed towards the busy In
ventor. 1t was hardly possible for It
not to. The high stand he took: the
regard accorded him on every side:
his talent: his conversation, which
was an education in itself, and, above
all. his absorption In q work daily ad.
vancing towards completion, removed
him so insensibly and yet 10 decided.
ly. from the hideous past Of tragedy