Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-08-06

my poor VIC &c, y,
startled sister. "Oh, Walter, when will
these mysteries cease Z?
"Now-with this moment" he replied
rising and seating himself beside her
"You shall hear all-you desire it
Faith, YOU have had your wish, Fol
twelve months she has been my wife
ooh, Walter % she exclaimed.
"Don't interrupt me- he said. I
knew long ago what your wish was; bu
1 wanted to judge of Gertrude for my
self 1 knew she Thought su were my
sister, and she met me as Walter Ros-
coe, at a fashionable watering place
without suspicion of my identity,
found her all you had so often described
1 followed her to her home and she
was still more lovely there. Still did
not make myself known as your brother
Perhaps 1 had fancy for one of your
pheasant surprises" Faith.
''Oh, so on, dear Walter" said his
sister.
Il married her, Faith, and was look
ing forward to a happy meeting with
you. 1t was the second evening of our
marriage, and I had walked out with a
friend to whom l wished to say good
bye. The moon had risen before l re-
turned, and as L laid my hand upon the
latch of the gate, remembered looking
up at the moon, and thinking what a
TRANQUILITY beautiful aspect it wore, and
how perfectly happy L was. Faith ]
have looked at the moon many times
since, but she never wears that lovely
face for me now"
He paused and sighed Faith kissed
him tenderly, and waited for the con-
of the story.
''Well it must all be told he resum-
ed. II entered the house quietly,
thinking to surprise Gertrude with
kiss, as she was Watching for me. /
found her-oh, Faith-I found her with
her arm around his neck !"
Faith uttered an indignant cry.
Brother" she said, ''there must be
some mistake here. Gertrude is good
and pure. I know it,
Thank you for a5ing so, he an
swcrcd with melancholy smile, Il
know it, too, now-would to Heaven l
had known it then"
"But what did you do, Walter ?"
''What would any mad dc, Faith :?
[ sprung upon him AaS>tiger-sihe
threw herself between US. He WAS
about to speak, but she cried out Not
a word-not word if you levc me =
Think of it, Faith! If he loved her :?
Was it not enough to madden me? !
was mad, L believe. L cursed her Bit
terly-I called her wanton and uufaith-
full. She had listened in silence till
then-thcn she turned very pale and
looked at me. l can hear her saying
now in a deep low voice-"After that, |
can never be more to you She turned
away and took his arm. They left the
room, and let them 60. Faith-I
was too heart broken to avengc myself
[ was to 20 deeply deceived to lift my
hand even when my wife left the room
with one fully believed to be her par
amour. From that night we have new
or met, and only two cold and brief let
ters passed between us.
"Oh, Walter! This is what has
changed her so ~
rs she then changed? he asked
eagerly"
She has grown cold, and hard and
proud-and she is sad-oh, so little like
the Gertrude of my younger days - said
Faith
''Shc has been drinking bitter cup
and my hand held it up to her lips, said
Walter. ''Now hear the rest, Faith
Half an hour go believed her guilty
But that fatal portrait shows me the
same face l saw on that aceursed night.
1t was her brother
And she never told you so," said
Faith
You little know Gertrude, | sec, re-
piled Walter 81 wounded her in the
tcndcrcst spot She is the soul of truth
and honor; but if any one should doubt
her woe be to him? And I--oh, what
a fearful doubt was mine l wronged
her deeply aud she was far too proud
to forgive me- Will she ever do it, Faith. "
''Shc will-shc must % cried Faith,
at has been Il terrible mis-
take but let us trust that all will go we'll
See it all now. Not till to-day did she
know that you were my half brother;
not till to day did she dream that Walter
Roscoe aud you were the same. Oh,
how much she must have suffered y
\ low knock came at the door of the
parlor, and Alfred Egerton Immediately
entered.
Il have been for the physician, Faith,
he said hurricdly, "and both have seen
her. [ have the best news of her.
They say it is only the long and hurried
journey, and great mental excitement
that has prostrated her. They have
left her quite comfortable, and She has
asked for you. VIII you go up and see
her while L sit with Walter ?''
Faith grasped her husband S hand and
looked up to him with beaming eyes.
"You were ever a mesianger of glad
tidings to me, Alfred, she said, s:and
now toreward you, you shall hear mine"
She related what she had already
heard in a few brief words, and then
stealing her hand into his, asked, Now
what is to be douc %
Il should say, my dear Faith, that
the sooner those two are brought togeth-
er the BETTER replied Mr., Egcrton,
when his astcnishmcnt allowed him to
speak.