Alpha Book

Oh, Cleone, be the exception and give my
friend the answer he seeks, the answer he has sought of
you already, the answer which to your despairing brother
means more than you can ever guess, the answer whereby
you can fulfil the promise you gave our dying mother to
help
Your unfortunate brother,
RONALD BARRYMAINE.
Now, as he finished reading, Barnabas frowned, tore the letter
across in sudden fury, and looked up to find Cleone frowning also:
"You have torn my letter!"
"Abominable!" said Barnabas fiercely.
"How dared you?"
"It is the letter of a coward and weakling!"
"My brother, sir!"
"Half-brother."
"And you insult him!"
"He would sell you to a--" Barnabas choked.
"Mr. Chichester is my brother's friend."
"His enemy!"
"And poor Ronald is sick--"
"With brandy!"
"Oh--not that!" she cried sharply, "not that!"
"Didn't you know?"
"I only--dreaded it. His father--died of it. Oh, sir--oh, Barnabas!
there is no one else who will help him--save him from--that! You
will try, won't you?"
"Yes," said Barnabas, setting his jaw, "no one can help a man
against his will, but I'll try.


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