St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-07-23


asked.
"Yes, and they are trouble enough
for me-" replied the mother, looking at
the children fond smile that betrayed
how little the " trouble was felt.
Gertrude sighed. ..t
81 don't know, Faith" she said bro
kenly. Every one calls me cold ano
proud perhaps l am. But when
take little innocent child into my
arms, something stirs in my hear,
that nothing else can touch. l might
have been happier woman, Faith, if
| had married"
This time it was Faith that sighed
You know well what my favorite
plan always was, Gertrude. If you
had only married my BROTHER"
"Oh, Faith, spare me-" was the
half-laughing answer.
"But you would have loved him il
you had only seen him." persisted
Faith. He is so noble, so generous,
SO handsome. He is only my half:
brother, you know but if he had been
my own, / could not Lave loved him
better"
By this time they had reached tho
room which had been fitted up fol
Gertrude. -n-
"Why, you have made little Par
adise for me-" she said, with pleased
smile, as she looked around the cham
ber. ~ shall never want to leave you
Faith"
$50 any pains of mine will keer
you, am content"
"But, Faith" said Miss Alewynne,
OBTAINING her friend as she was about
to leave the room never knew be-
fore that your paragon was only a
halfbrother. Your maiden name was
Faith Anderson pray what was his p
Walter Roscoe. He was the sor
of my step-mother. My own mother
died when l was very young"
"What what was his name ?"
The tone was sharp and impatient,
but the speakers face was turned
away from Faith.
Walter Roscoe. My boy is named
from him-Walter Roscoe Egerton."
"The iewelled hand that had beer
playing with the child's soft curls, was
drawn away as if a serpent had stuna
it and Gertrude turned white anG
put the BOY down down ana h' pointed sd ' to TIL tt;
door.
Gertrude, what ails you? Ar,
you i'll ?" cried Faith, in terror. Sh,
caught the bell-rope in her hand, bu
Miss Alewynne grasped her arm firm
ly.
Don't ring I shall be better
soon," she said in low voice "And,
Faith, for the sake of the old time
when we were school girls together,
say nothing of my illness to any one,
and ask me no questions now. Leave
me for little while, and to morrow l
will tell you ALL"
Wondering and perplexed, Faith
left the room with her children, and
went down stairs. Her husband met
her in the hall and stopped to speak
to her.
Has your friend arrived ?' he asked
Z" Yes, Alfred. Have you seen Wal
ter? ?"
IL went to his Office as you re-
quested me to, my dear, and asked
him to come up and dine. He con-
sented, and was talking with me as
usual, when l happened to mention Miss
Alewynne's name. He started up and
turned white--but here lie comes,
Faith, and you can see for yourself
how strange he is"
He stopped speaking, and both
turned towards the door as Walter
Roscoe entered, pale and agitated.
" Faith, is it true ? is she in this
house !? he asked wildly.
"Miss Alewynne is here, Walter"
He struck his hand upon his forehead.
"Why was l not told that she was
coming?"
Don't look so angry, dear Walter"
pleaded Faith. :" intended it as q
pleasant surprise for you both.'
He uttered an oath.
"Oh, Walter, don't +! Don't swear,
and before these little children, too !"
cried Faith, bursting into tears. "You
never did so before"
sit was only on account of your
pleasant surprise" he answered bit
terly. Don't ever try another, Faith,
l have only come to say goodbye.
The same house can never hold Ger
trude-" he paused, and then added,
as if with an effort, Gertrude Ale
wynne and myself"
" But why, Walter ?" asked Faith,
clinging to him as he was turning
away. "Have you ever met before ?"
He looked at her with strange
smile.
Yes, Faith. We met once too Of
ten.'
"You knew Gertrude, and yet never
spoke to me Of her, when you knew
how much wished you to love each
other" said Faith, reproachfully. "Oh,
| always thought l had your
I"
"And SO You have, Faith so you
have, except in this one thing" he
said kindly, softened her evident dis
tress. "And when she has left you, l
will come back and tell you ALL"
"Not before ?"
"Not before, Faith. Let me go now"
"Oh, Walter, l would almost give
my life if l could only see you two
happy together"
Faith Faith, how little you know
of what you talk /! That woman has
my life she has destroyed
my confidence in every human being !;
she has deceived, and betrayed, and
me. And yet, know, if l
look but once upon her face, l should
forgive her all ; for l loved her, Faith.
! loved her more than my life. Unjust
not see her, sister. When she has left
you, will come back again - till then,
farewell"