Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-12-21


smothered laugh, so suggestive OF des-
peration, that it would chill the blood
OF the boldest
at length Tom is seen walking down
the road on his way home. he Is
smiling, and seems to be thinking OF
some pleasant anticipations, with his
head bent to the wind. He passes the
cliff where, with dilated eyes and an
eager countenance. Sandy crouehes,
tightly grasping his club !. He passes.
Sandy springs mp, and dealing him one
powerfnl blow, fells him to the earth;
then excitedly he filings away the club,
and erasping the lifeless body of Tom,
ne drags him to the top of the clitf,
and hnrls him headlong down INTO the
deep tossing water-he falls with
heavy plunge, and Sandy, turning to-
wards the dark spot, smiles CHASTITY
smile. and then his face blanches; he
seems To ne awaking from hls mad
frenzy, as with 9 frightened gaze he
looks around, and then with hghtened
speed rushes to his hut. throws him
salf upon the couch in has little cham
Der in agony. crying, ooh, God I've
killed him :" He rocks to and fro IN
wild frenzy of grief. Soon the tears
begin to fall; somewhat relieved by
these burning tokens of grief. and
weariod in body and soul. he falls into
a troubled slumber, muttering IN his
dreams of the sad fate of his brother.
The next day Sandy dared not go
forth from his cottage, and, for three
DAYS and nights, he did not leave his
door. until at length hunger drove him
forth. He met Ella, told her that his
brother had gone upon a long Journey
very unexpectedly, and he did not
know when he would return. The next
minute he turned his head, and the hot
scslding tears poured down his sun
burnt face.
The news of Toms disappearance
soon spread abroad, but as Tom and
Sandy loved each other with the deep
est love, none suspected the horrible
truth.
About five years after this time, 8
stranger arrived IN the village. He
frequently sailed about upon the bay,
and was soon found to be quite favor
tie with the Belle OF Senoc. None
knew who ne was. Sandy had seen
him, but there was always something
in the look of the stranger that caused
Sandy to shun him. At length, one
day when Sandy went to get his boat,
ne saw the stranger out upon the wa
tiers drawing near to where ne was
standing. Sandy could not bear the
gaze of the young man, so he sadly
turned and walked towards his deserted
home. Again, late in the afternoon,
when he returned from fishing out on
the bay. he unexpectedly met the stran-
GER upon the shore. They looked at
each other for brief moment, when
Sandy. fearing that by some means the
voung man knew the truth, he. con-
science troubled, turned aud few to
his cottage as the deer flies from the
huntsman. When he reached his little
dreary home he closed the door, bolted
the windows, and in frenzy of excite
ment. flung himself upon his couch
Standing up he wildly cried:
'What il he knows of my brotherg
Why does he follow me? OH my
brofherl my brotherp' And groaning
in the bitterness of his remorse. ne lay
upoL. the cot until midnight His agony
seemed to increase, until at last, start
ing from his couch, he gave one shrek,
and filed with a sudden madness, he
tore open his door, and ran down the
path toward the fatal cliff from whence
his brother had been hurled. AS he
rushed toward the spot he cried, 'Ohl
nv brotherl Toni Tom I'll go down
in the dark, cold water to you, and I'll
ask Won to forgive me. At length ne
stood near the edge of the cliff, and
wildly gazing upon the dark waters be-
low, he seemed to be spell bound TO
the spot-then lifting his arms on high,
he turned toward the projecting point,
and preparing to Jump, he bent his
knees for the fatal leap. But suddenly
firm hand grasped his collar, and
drew him With an irresistible power
from the cliff Sandy turned to see
who the intruder was.
"Great GodP he gssped ''the strang
erl"
The stranger tenderly laid him on
the swarth, and FASTENED to bring some
water IN his cap to battle his brow
Sandy soon recovered.
oWhy do you follow me ?'' he said
Have l ever wronged you ?"
SANDY y
That one word was enough He
gazed but for an instant upon the face
OF the stranger, and cried
"My brother ! My Tom -
1t was all ne could say. He attempt
ed to clasp his brothers neck, but failed
in the attempt.
FeBderly Tom leaned over his pros
trate body and chafed the bronzed
hands of his long-lost brother.
When Sandy revived he begged
Toms forgiveness. He confessed all,
and pleaded with deep importantly to
be forgiven. His brother clasped him
in his arms.
Sandy, forgive you. Come to our
little home, and I'll tell you all. "
He gently led his brother to his little
hut, and then in the darkness, sitting
on the old couch, he told Sandy the
| whole story.
after 1 rescued Ella. / thought it
might be rather mean in me to take ad-
vantage of that fact. 70 claim her love.
1 loved her, Sandy, but / knew that
You had loved her first, and as / came
| down the road that night, resolved
| that I would not stand in your way.
While / was thinking of this / heard a
/ footstep and knew it was yours, but
before I could speak, / was left in
painful darkness, and all was blank
When revived found myself strug-
Cling in the bay, and instantly COM
pretending the cause of my situation,
L resolved that Won should never see
my face agsin. travelled far away to
Australia, and there in Melbourne /
sought and received a situation as por-
| ter in q large store. Since then l have