The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-05-18
i She had called me "Cousin Ab.alom,' p from

She had called me "Cousin Abrulom," !" from
the frst. q .-r -r
found that my brother had worked won-
ders during my absence. Our old home no
longer looked gloomy abode, even for q
young girl. Fresh, bright paper was on the
walls carpets Of warm, rich hues, covered
the floors tasteful furniture was disposed
about the apartments, and q room, leading
from the little parlor especially designed for
our guest, had been transformed into con-
seryatory, and was already gay with flowers.
With one consent wc entrcated Miss Chclms-
ford to assume the Office OF housekeeper, as
neither Of us felt competent TO regulate any
longer tho Affairs Of q household which was
10 number such member. Sho promised,
with her customary sweetness, to comply
with our request, and presently our domestic
arrangements put on an order and beauty
they had never known before. 80
When We wcrS fairly settled ut home had
leisure to study Margaret Chelmsford, the
first young lady with whom had ever been
familiarly associated. Until then had not
observed, what affected me strangely now,
her remarkable resemblance to my memories
of my mother; to the ideal had 50 long
cherished Of my future wife. Hero were the
little, graceful figure, the brownish blue eye,
the low, sweet voice, the winning smile
here, and my heart thrilled as II had never
thrilled before. was the woman / could loyo.
Thirty-six began to seem very old to me-
Sixteen years between me and the young life
| longed to link TO my own. ] did not men,
ton these thoughts to my brother. For the
first time in our lives there was shadow be-
tween us; fine, indcfnable Ice Of reserve.
l think II arose, on my part. not from any
unwillingness that hc should read my heart,
but from secret fear, Us bitter as secret, lest
he also might recognize in her the ideal VIC
had both 50 long cherished, and love her as
loved her. Besides, had 50 little hope, 1t
seemed useless to talk Of il.
She made no distinction In the manifesta.
ton of her regard between my brother and
me. To us both she was uniformly all that
q young sister could have been; the JOY and
brightness Of our home and our lives. Per-
haps she camc to me most frequently tor nd.
vice concerning her affairs, which was but
natural, as had taken them upon me ut
first.
A year passed away thus. She, growing
reconclcd to her loss, and blessing our home
with her youth and beauty. We, alas p? |
could not shut my eyes to that now, zoe low
ing her, loving her both Of us, desperately,
secretly, almost hopelessly. There arc how-
ers that blossom only once in q century, but
fervid and tropical Is their late unfolding
Love was slow and late in coming to our two
lives, but now its sway was absolute. And
yet We were faithful brothers still. ! do not
think either of us dared to indulge heart
felt longing for success overshadowed by
such blackness of desolati9n as 1t must bring
to the other.
At length resolved to speak. She could
but refuse mo. Better TO know ut once that
the flaming sword guarded forever against
me the cato Of my longed-ior Eden, than to
wait afar of in such intolerable suspense. l
would try my fate. went toward her es-
pecial sitting-room. In tho passage met
my brother, going also in the same dircc-
tion. In an instant II flashed upon me
that his errand was identical with my own.
Come what would, no woman's love should
divide us whom Heaven had made brothers.
went up to him and laid my hand on his
arm.
"Come with me, brother" said, opening
the library door. lilo followed me in, and
stood silently before the Ere. went on. al
know what your GRAND was, brothcr-minc
was tho same. 1t was impossible that we
should not both love her. She was the wo-
man about whom we had been dreaming all
our lives. Shc came, and VIC could but wor-
ship her. you and I. But we are brothers
still. No other tic can sever that. Let us
love each other, whatever comes"
We arc much alike, but thinkmy brother
has moro OF fire In his nature than !. His
eyes kindlcd, and he answered. with On ear
ncstness which was almost savage
"Brothers or not, no man has right to
iorco mo to give up my love. Twill have
her, u can get her, in spite Of oil the
world" ,..r r'
$50 you shall. If she loves you, she will
marry you. know her well. No power
would force her. neither want, nor pride,
nor gratitude, TO give her hand where she did
not love. ] only meant to pray you to let
nothingfscparate us. However she may de-
eide, ono at least of MS will have bitter need
of consolation. Go you FIRST. myself think
your hope is better than mine"
lie would have hesitated then, but i urged
him forward. If be succeeded. she would
never know how my whole being had poured
out its alteration bcf6rs her If he failed
could but try my fate also. Ho was not
there long. was cool enough, in the midst
Of my suspense, to know he had been abrent
hut few moments when hc rc-opcned the
library door. His face Was white with rs-
pressed suffering. lle came up TO me and
said hoarsely-
"Brother, she does not lore me. I told
her you would come next. She aid some
thing In answer. did not hear what. Go
you In, now"
| found her weeping, hut she reused her.
self at the sound Of my footstcp, and cried,
paSsionately--
"Not you-not you also Do not give
me the pain Of thinking that must wound
my best friend. Your brother said you were
coming. and told him II would be OF no
usc. You would not want me, without my
love. oh, wrctched girl that am, To have
brought unhappincss TO the roof that shrl-
tered me when was an orphan and alone -
found strength TO answer her.
"Do not fear dear Margaret. You have
brought us more good than evil. We are
men. We will conquer ourselves like men.
You shall bc orr sister, when you can for.
give us for the pain VIC have caused yuu."
went out 10 Abjah. who waited for me.
"i have failed, also;" Il was all ! could
say. t'.lla
His arms opened and elaspcd about mo In
IN embrace such a. those with which we had
comfortcd each other in boyhood. ! had
lost Margaret, but had found again my
brother. I have nothing moro TO say about
the suffering that followed. It Is Idle 10
dwell upon Il. God sent Il, and we bore 1t
manfully, and my brother. =
The next day there came 10 90 little note
from Margaret. Il was such an ono a. u
was like her kindness and delicacy TO write.
She had chosen that mode Of oo,nmunicaiion
because she thought 1t would be easier u'an
to speak to us Of what 80 nearly eoncsrIe' sii,r