Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-08-19

ppedk, Dut sue cTleu Out- No6 WOTu-
not a word, if you love me ! Think O.
it, Faith If he loved her Was it no
enough to madden me? / tcas mad,
believe. / cursed her bitterly called hel
wanton and unfaithful. She listened
silently till then-thcn she turned very
pale, and looked at me. | 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 IL let them go. Yes,
Faith-I was too heart broken to avenge
myself. was too deeply deceived to lift
my hand, even when my wife left the room
with one fully believed to be her para
mour. From that night we have never
met, and only two cold and brief letters
have passed between u.s."
ooh, Walterl This is what has chang
ed her so ?"
as she then changedP p he asked
eagerly.
"She has grown cold, and hard, and
proud-and che is sad-oh, so little like
the Gertrude of my school daysl' said
Faith.
"She has been drinking Of bitter cup.
and my hand held it to her lips" said
Walter. snow hear the rest, Faith
Half an hour ago believed her guilty.
But that fatal portrait shows me the same
face | saw on that accursed night Itwas
her brother"
"And he never told you sol" said
Faith
"You little know Gertrude, 1 see," re-
piled Walter. ~ wounded her in the
tenderest spot. She is the soul of truth
and honor but if any one should doubt
her, woe be to him And I-oh, what
fearful doubt was mine l wronged her
deeply, and she was far too proud to for
give me. Will she ever do it, Faith ?"
'She will-she must!" cried Faith,
earnestly. ait has been a terrible mis-
take, but let us trust that all will 60 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 and you were the same. Oh, how
much she must have suffered !"
A low knock came at the half.open
door of the parlor, and Alfred Egerton
Immediately entered.
81 have been for the physician, Faith, "
he said hurriedly, Sand both have seen
her. | have the best of news for you.-I
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. Will you go up and see her
while sit with Walter2"
Faith grasped her husbands hand and
looked up to him with beaming eyes
"You were ever messenger of glad It'd
ings to me, Alfred, she said, sand now
to reward 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 done !"
II should say, my dear Faith, that the
sooner these two are brought together the
better" replied Mr.. Egerton, when his
astonishment allowed him to speak.
II knew you would say SOL" exclaimed
Faith. Walter, follow me; and you,
Alfred, wait here; l will be back in few
moments"
They went quietly up the stairs together
to Gertrude's room. Leaving Walter atI
the door, Faith entered, and went up to
the bed side. Gertrude was lying half
asleep in bed. The traces of tears were
on her cheeks. and small gold locket lay
open in her hand. A rapid glance as
sured Faith that it was her brother,
portrait, and she bent down and kissed
her friend.
Gertrude stared-looked up, and tried
to hide the portrait. But some second
thought prompted her to lay it in Faiths
hand, and say, with sad smile, "You see
l know him."
as that all, Gertrude ?" saith Faith
gently
"All !" said Gertrude, springing up in
bed, and tossing the black hair from her
forehead "Listen, Faith. | loved him
more than any earthly thing-I married
him a year ago, though | never knew he
was your brother till to-day. He held
my very heart in his hand and crushed il
to atoms He had no faith in me-in me
who would not have wronged him for
worlds. Oh, Faith, though he is your
brother, he has made my life a weary
thing to bear. Leave me-to-morrow |
will tell you more-but now | an too
weak"
She sank back upon her pillow, and
covered her face with her hands. Faith
stole noiselessly away, and Walter entered
and took her place. All was silent for
few moments Then, without looking up.
Gertrude asked, Faith, are you there p
1t was.a stronger arm than Faiths that
was around her, aud m moustached lip that
kissed her hand. She looked up in sud
den bewilderment, and saw her husband
bending over her with his eyes full of
tears. The sudden JOY was too much for
her, and all her pride was swept away in
moment.
"Walter, it was my brother" she mur-
INJURED.
81 know it, dearest--I know all But
can you forgive me, Gertrude?"
Forgive T. she repeated.
There was beautiful smile upon her
lip as she drew him nearer and kissed