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


"Oh, 60 on, dear Walter"
II married her, Faith, and was
looking forward to happy meeting
with you. It was the second evening
of our marriage, and had walked out
with friend, to whom wished to say
good bye. The moon had risen before
returned, and as I laid my hand
upon the latch of the gate, l remem-
Der looking up, and thinking what a
TRANQUILITY beautiful aspect she wore,
and how perfectly happy was. Faith,
l 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 awaited for the con-
clusion of the story.
"Well, it must all be told. enter
ed the house quietly, thinking to sur
prise Gertrude with kiss, as she was
watching for me. I found her, oh
Faith-I found her with her lips press
ed to those Of another, and her arm
around his neck |"
| Faith uttered an indignant cry.
Brother, there must be some mis-
take here. Gertrude is pure and good.
l know it."
Thank you for saying so," he an
swered, with melancholy smile, II
know it, too, now-would to God l
had known it then !"
IL But what did you do, Walter?"
"What would any man do, Faith ?'
l sprang upon him like tiger-she
threw herself between us. He was
about to speak, but she cried out
"Not word-if you love me !" Think
of it Faith If he loved her Was it
not enough to madden me I,cas
mad, believe. l cursed her bitterly
i called her wanton and unfaithful.
She listened in silence till then-then
she turned very pale, and looked at
me. / can hear her saying now, in u
deep, low voice. After that, l can
never be more to YOU She turned
away and took his arm. They left the
room, and IL let them go. Yes,
Faith, l was too deeply deceived to
lift my hand even when my wife left
the room with one fully believed to
be her paramour. From that night,
we have never met, and only two cold
and brief letters have passed between
us" .-.
"Oh, Walter! This Is what has
changed her SO !"
as she then changed ?" he asked
eagerly"
"She has grown cold, and hard, and
proud-and she is sad--oh, little the
Gertrude Of my school-day."
"She has been drinking of bitter
cup, and my hand held it to her lips.
Now hear the rest, Faith. Half an
hour ago, believed her guilty. But
that fatal picture shows me the same
face l saw OH that accursed night. It
was her brother"
And she never told you so ?"
You little know Gertrude, see.
wounded her in the tenderest spot
She is the soul Of truth and honor
but if one should doubt her, wo be to
him. And I-oh, what fearful doubt
was mine !! l wronged her deeply,
and she was far too proud to forgive
me. Will she ever do il, Faith ?"
"She will-she must !" cried Faith,
earnestly. 1t has heen terrible
mistake, but let us trust that all will
go well. see it all now. Not till
to-day did she know that you were my
halfbrother = not till to-day did she
dream that Walter Roscoe and you
were one. Oh, how much she must
have suffered"
A loud knock now came at the half.
open door of the parlor, and Alfred
Egerton entered.
81 have been for the physician,
Faith" he said hurricdly, "and both
have seen her. l have the best of
news for you. They say it is only the
long and hurried journey, and great
mental excitement that has Frustrated
her SO. They have left her quite COM
Portable, and she has asked for you
Will you go up and see her, while I
sit with Walter?"
Faith grasped her husbands hand.
and looked up to him with beaming
eyes.
"You were ever good messenger
of glad tidings to me, Alfred, and now
to reward you, you shall hear mine"
She related what she had already
heard, in a few brief words, and then
stealing his hand in hers, asked
Now what is to be done 7"
@ should say, my dear Faith, that
the sooner those two are brought to-
gether, the better,' said Mr.. Egerton,
when his astonishment allowed him to
speak.
g knew you would say so. Walter,
follow me, and, Alfred, wait here /
will be back in few minutes"
They went quietly up the stairs to-
gether to Gertrude's room. Leaving
Walter at the door, Faith entered, and
went up TO the bedside. The young
girl was lying half asleep in bed. The
traces of tears were on her cheeks.
and a small gold locket lay open in
her hand. A rapid glance assured
Faith that it was her brothers picture.
and she bent down and kissed her
friend.
Gertrude started, looked up, and
tried to hide the picture. But some
second thought prompted her to lay it
in Faiths hand, and say with a sad
smile
"You see know him.
Is that all, Gertrude?" said Faith
gently
"All !" said the girl springing up
in bed, and tossing the black hair from
her forehead. Listen, Faith. l loved
him more than any earthly thing-I
married him a year ago, though nev-
er knew he was your brother till to.
day. He held my very heart in his
hand, and crushed it to atoms. He
had no faith in me-in me-who would
not have wronged him for worlds. Oh.