The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1865-08-09
TWO LIVES IN ONE.

Il w ~ -H-AA -A-AH~ 'A~N ~ ~ LID .
More than fifty years ago my brother
Stephen and | lived together in Il village
about ten miles South Of london, where he
was in practice as surgeon. Stephen was
thirty two, eighteen. We had no relations
but a.sister five or six years older than my
self and well married in London. Stephen
was a solitary and studous man, living
somewhat apart from his neighbors, and
standing almost in u fatherly position to-
wards ME. AThroughEthe years we had liv-
ed together no one had thought of his mar
ryiug. Thus it was when the events | have
to tell began. The house next to ours was
taken by a Mr.. Cameron, feeble looking.
man, rather past middle age, with one
daughter, Marian by name. How shall
| describe her, the most beautiful creature
ever saw? She was perhaps twenty years
old; | never knew precisely. A tail, slight
form, fair complexion, dark chestnut eyes
and hair, and an expression more like that
Of an angel than human being. Though
| was much struck with. her appearance,
Stephen did not seem to notice it; and we
might have remained uuacquaintcd with
them forever, but that he was required to
help Mr.. Cameron over an awkward stilc
opposite our house. Acquaintance once
made, they soon grew familiar; for they had
two feelings in common, love Of tobacco
and SwcdenborganiSnl. Many Il summer
evening did they pass, smoking the one and
talking the other. Marian sometimes john
ed in, for she generally walked with Them,
while my chest, which was weak at that
time kept me at home. One day they quit
ted Stephen at the gate, us hc entered the
door said to him: .
''LIow lovely Marian isl am never tired
Of looking at her. ~
Look at her while sou may" said he;
= she has not three years TO live.
1t was only too true, she had some dread
tul complaint -aneurlsm, | think it was
which must carry her off in the flower Of
her days. Stephen told me that he had
consulted the most cmiuent doctors without
getting any hope; and the emotion, rare
enough in him, that he displayed, told mt
that he loved Marian. | said no WOld
about it, | knew better; but 1 saw with
what dreadful doubts he was perplcXed.-- -
Excitement might shorten Marians life
such an excitement as Il declaration OF love
from him might be of Inatcria! injury; and
even if it did not prove so, how could he
condemn himself to the prolonged torture
Of seeing the life Of beloved wife c0b
away, day by day? Besides, he did not
think she cared for him. l. who watched
her ccasolcssly knew that she loved him with
her whole heart. lie struggled with HIM
self tercely; but he won the fight. lie left
home for six weeks, and returned, looking
older and pael; but he had learned to men
ton her name without his voice quivcring,
and to touch her hand without holding his
breath hard. She was plnng away under
the influence. Of his changed manner, and /
dared not helpmy poor darllnss to be happy
eron who was IN bad health when we first
saw him, died suddenly. Poor Marian's
grief was terrible to see. Her father was
and there was no one else III the wide world
who cared whether She lived Or died, cX
ccpt myself brought her home with NE,
and was with her hourly until Mr. Gamer
on's funeral. How we got through that
timoI hardly know Then came the ne
cessary inquiries into his affairs. lie, had
circumstances, leaving Marian an annuity
that would scarcely giNe? her the luxaries
her state Of health reqnired. And where
va" CIV " NV "h" "h". W w. N:NPi'ei'
was the, sole executor, the only adviser to
whom she could look. lie took two days
and nights to consider, and then offered her
his hand and home;
AT first she could not believe that his
offer. arose from anything but pity and COM
passion; but when he had told her the sto-
ry Of the last few months, and called me to
bear witness to it, q great light OF love
seemed to come into her eyes, and Won
derful glow Of love, such as l. have never
seen, over her face. LETT them to them
selves that evening till Stephen tapped at
the, door Of my room, and told ME all
nothing in fact, but what ! knew long be
fore. In their cases there was little cause
for delay. Iroussanx were not the impor-
tant matters in my day that they are in my