The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-05-20
TWO LIVES IN ONE.
A Sisters story of "A Brother.

A Sisters Story of a Brother.
More than fifty years ago my brother Ste
lphen and | lived together, in village about
ten miles south of Lendou, where he was ID
practice as a surgeon. Stephen was thirty
two, eighteen. We had no relations but a
sister, FIVE or six years older than myself
and well married in London. Stephen was a
Solitary and studious man, living somewha,
apart from his neighbors, and standing almost
In a fatherly position towards me. Through
the years we had lived together 70 one had
thoGght of his marrying. Thus it was when
the eventsi have to tell began. The house
next to ours was taken by Mr.. Cameron, a
feeble looking man, rather past middle age,
with one daughter, Marion by name. : How
shall describe her, the most beautiful crea-
fure ever saw? She was perhaps twenty
years old ! never knew precisely. A tall,
slight form, fair complexion more like that
of an angel than a human being. Though /
was much struck with her appearance, Ste
phen did not seem to notice it; and we mi ght
have remained unacquaiEted with them for
ever, but that he was required to help Mr..
Cameron over an awkward stie opposite our
arouse. Acquaintance o2ce made, they soon
grew familiar; for they had two ceilings III
common, love of tobacco and SweGeEbor-
gianism. Many a summer evening did they
pass, smoking the one and talking the other,
Marion sometimes joining in, for she gene
rally walked with them, while my chest,
which was weak at that time, Kept me at
home. One day they quitteI Stephen at the
gate, and as he entered the door | said to
him: - lFffs 20 q ~
"How lovely Marion is? am never tired
of looking at her. -r
"Look at her while you may," said he !;
"she has not three years to live
1t was only too true She had some dread
ful omplaint-aneurism | think it was
which must carry her off in the flower of her
days. Stephen told me that he had consulted
the most eminent doctors without getting any
hope; and the emotion, rare enough in him,
that he displayed, told me that he loved
Marion. 1 said no word to him about it. |
knew better; but saw with what dreadful
doubts ne was perpleXed. Excitement might
shorten Marions life-sucn:an excitement as
declaration of love from him might be of
material injury aud even if it did not prove
so, how could he condemn himself 10 the pro-
longed torture Of seeing the life of a beloved
wife ebb away, JaF ty day? Besides. he did
not think she cared for hIm. !, who had
watched her ceaselessly, knew thai she loved
him with her whole heart lie struggled with
himself fercely; but he won the fight. He
left home for some weeks. and r. rtturned. look
ing older AMI paler; but he had learned to
mention her name without his voice. .quivering,
and to touch her hand without holding his
breath hard. She was pining away under the
influence of his changed manner, and idared
not help my two darlings to be happy. An
unexpected aid soon came. Mr. Cameron,
vino was in bad heath when we first saw him,
died suddenly. Poor Marion's grief was terri
IL G.. Il. 4
as she thought, estranged; and there was no
one else in the world who cared whether she
lived or died, except myself ] brought her
home with ME, and was with her hourly until
Mr.. Cameron's funeral. How we got through
that time | hardly know Then came The
Necessary inquiries into his affairs. He had
died, not altogether poor, but in reduced cir
,cumstances, leaving Marion ali annuity that
would scarcely give her the luxuries her state
of health required. And where was she to
live and what TO do? Stephen was the sole
executor the one adviser TO whom she could
look. He took two days and nights to con-
slider, and then offered her his hand home.
At first she could not believe that his offer
arose from anything but pity and compassion
but when he had told her the story of the last
few months, and called me to bear witness to
1T great light seemed to come into her eyes,
and wonderful glow of love, such as had
never seen, over her face. l left them to
themselves that evening, till Stephen tapped
at the door of my room and told me all
nothing, in fact. but what know long be-
FORE In their case there was little cause for
delay. TrousseauX were not the important
matters in my day that they are in my grand.
childrens, and Marion was married to Stephen,
in her dress, within a month after her father S
funeral.
The next few months were a happy time
for all of US. Marion's health improved
greatly. The worried, frightened look she
used to wear left her face as she recovered
from the depression caused by her constant
anxiety about her father, and the loss of rest
she suffered in attending upon him at night.
1t seemed as if she was entirely recovering
and Stephen, if he did not lose his fears, at
least was not constantly occupied with them.
How happily we used to look forward to the
future, for Stephen was beginning to save
money and many were our day dreams abot t
professional eminence for him, and fashion
able life in London, partly for Marion, but
mostly for me. l have tried fashionable life
ia London since, but l never found it so hap
py as our days in that dear old Surrey
village.
Well, our happy time did not last long
Marion caught cough and cold as the win
ter came on, and was soon so i'll as to be ia
ken to London for advice. Stephen came
back alone, with weary deadly-lookipg face
Marion had broken small blood vessel on
the journey-uot anything serious in itself
but ominous enough. They were to 90 al
once to warmer climate-not day 10 be
lost. Sorrowfully packed up the necessary
things, and went with Stephen to London the
next day, to say good>by to Marion. who had
been forbidden to return home. The same
afternoon they were on board trading YES
sci, bound to Leghorn. Luckily, Marion va
good sailor, and well used to ships, for sh,
had made more than one voyage to Nader;
with her father. Much as wished to e
with them, and much as they wished it too
it was out of tbs question, Stephen had saved
but little money, and could hardly see hos
he and Marion were to live, unless be coult
make practice somewhere among the Eng!isl
abroad, and his taking me also was not TO b.
thought Of Il was to live for the present witt
my married sister. 1t was very sore to par
with Marion, who bal been more than sis
ter to me ever since saw her Stephen ant
/ were nearly overcome with emotion; bu
sEe was calm and silent, with an intent, .wist
ful look about her lovely face that haunte'
me all my life since. can see it now whei
shut my eyes, though it is fifty years age
Need say that never saw her again?
went to my sisters house, and began tn
fashionable life L used to wish for. 1t wa
not all that pictured it, though it was pleas
ant enough to occupy me in the daytime bu
at night | longed sadly f,r mi darlings.
Stephen wrote letters full of hope, au
talked of returning after spending two year