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

| NLl-AI EN- L.
WALTER Roscoe, turning away from
his sisters home, thought sadly Of the
many days that must elapse before he
entered it again. OF Gertrude he told
himself again and again her image came
up before him as he had seen her last
Have L not wronged her?" he thought,
as he paced the floor of his Office that
evening Is it not possible she may
be innocent, even though appearances
were against her? Shall L sec her once
Pshaw what fool am Did I not
sec his lips meet hers? If asked for
better proof than my own eyes have
given me, must be a madman. l will
leave this place and never come back
until she has gone away"
He threw a few things into valise,
locked she writing desk beside him, and
stepped into the street, valisc in band
locked up his Office and walked away.
His residence was a long distance from
the garden of his sisters house, and yet
it was there he found himself after a
hurried walk of some five minutes. He
lifted the latch and entered.
1t is the last time, Gertrude, that
shall be so weak, he murmured, as he
looked UP at the vine curtained window,
where a lamp was still burning; e the
last time l shall be so near you! Oh !!
Gertrude, can you dream what you have
done, or is your heart all marble ~
He buried his face in his hands, and
wcpt like child. The memory of the
hours he had spent with her came over
him too strongly to be borne. lie could
,,oof suob rou,oD, bro IN onc with biS foorc
When he looked up again he was
conscious of an unusual hustle. Lights
were moving hurriedly in several dircc-
tions, and once or twice he caught a
glimpse of his sisters figure passing the
window of Gertrude's room. What
could it be? Was Gertrude i'll?
His heart stood still at the thought
lie could never bear to look upon
her face again; but oh, the grave must
not cover it from him He sprang up
the path, and was about to enter, when
the door opened, and Alfred Egcrton
came out.
You here, WaIterr' he exclaimed,
starting back, as the pale face of his
brother met his eye. Faith just told
me to go for you when 1 had summoned
the Doctor
Miss Alewynne is worry i'll, replied
Alfred, " she is threatened with the
brain fever, I think
"Oh, mcrciful heavens - The un-
happy man staggered, and caught at his
brothers hand to steady himself.
Alfred looked at him moment and
then said soothingly: Walter, it will
not do for me to stay here 4 moment
But go in and sec Faith; she Will COM
fort you lie rung his hand sympa-
thizinely and hurried away.
Half blind, with his unshead tears,
the unhappy young man entered the
house, and seeing his sister sitting at
her writing desk in the parlor, sank
down at her feet, and hid his face in her
lap.
"WilI she die Faith - he asked.
II hope not, my poor Walter. But
she is very i'll, answered Faith, laying
her hand upon his head. "Our own doc
tor is with her now, and Alfred has just
gone for another"
"What are you doing?" he asked,
looking up at the Unfinished note be
fore her "Writting to her brother to
come to her, replied Faith.
Il did not know that she had one,
Faith"
''Oh, yes. L have never seen him,
but she sent me his portrait once. You
know" she added. with Il faint blush,
sit was quite dream with us when we
were girls-that is-she wished me to
marry her brother, and | wanted her to
marry mine
'Iknow-I know" said Walter, and
an indefnable expression of pain fitted
over his face
"And so she sent me Edwards 7or-
trait" continued Faith. Would you
like to see it, Walter?"
Yes, he replied quickly.
She opened her writing desk, and
taking out small inlaid case, gave it to
him. He gave one startled glance at it
--anothcr--and the portrait fell from
his hands, and he uttered r-ili cry.