Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1873-11-21
Written for the Daily Monitor.l
FORGIYING AND FORGIVEN.
BY MARIE FLAACKE.
TcoNTINUED.1

sorrow nor compassion, on seeing the
depth to which his once loved brother
had fallen. His calm, even tone of in
quiry merely betrayed eontemptuous
tolerance for his unwilling detention,
and his eyes were dark with suppressed
feelings OF anger and annoyance.
"Since you compel me to listen to
you," he said, briefly, "pray let me
hear what you have to say, as quickly
as possible. You should know by this
time, that my feelings toward you have
not changed during the past few years,
and it's exceedingly disagreeable for me
to gaze upon you, or to hear your
voice"
"Still unforgiving ?" asked the broth
er, sadly: 81 have wronged you fear
fully-how much, you are still aware of;
but John, we are brothers and-I'm dy-
ing /"
John made no reply to the appeal,
though his compressed lips trembled
slightly.
"John," added the consumptive,
"when we parted eight years ago, you
solemnly swore that if / ever crossed
your path again, no matter under what
circumstances, you would shoot me as
if were dog. Why don't you keep
your vow %
"I would be worse than q coward
were I to take advantage of you now, p"
responded John: az meet my enemies
on the open field, instead of striking
them in the dark"
The insinuation conveyed in the con-
temptuous reply caused Henry Wilson's
face to flush with shame but he held
out his hand as he asked, pleadingly:
"John, wont you listen to me for a
few moments =? I'm not going to ask
forgiveness, for know it would be use
less. I only wish to speak in behalf Of
of-of one we both loved, and whom l
wronged equally as much as did you.
I mean Florence.
Johns ashy face was terrible to see
when he heard that name. For a mo-
ment, it seemed as if he intended to
carry out the threat uttered SO long ago.
Indeed, his hand sought the pocket
where, a few hours before, he had placed
revolver, Then, dropping his arm to
his side, stifled groan burst from his
lips as his head sank upon the pillow
before him. In that position he remain
cd, while listening to the words which
fell faltering from his brothers lips !;
and for the next two hours, the only
sound heard in the small room was the
weak voice of Henry Wilson, now and
then interrupted by a severe fit of
coughing.
The silent man beside the recumbent
figure, heard without remark the con-
clusion of the history of life wasted in
dissipation and debauchery.
With that part we have nothing to do.
1t was the same old story of hayward
son and brother spoiled by indulgences,
and ruined morally and physically by
sensual passions.
A wild life at college, disgraceful bust
ness transactions, disowned by his re-
latives, dishonored by his own down
ward tendencies-ho many stories
similar to it do we hear in every day
realities
Low as Henry Wilson had fallen, he
still possessed a keen sense of the dis
gracefulness of his present connection
with the gang Of thieves and for that
reason he dwelt but briefly upon the
portion of his narrative which related to
his career as Captain Hal.
How deeply John Wilson must have
FELT the degradation !!
1t is true, affection had long ago ceas-
ed to occupy place in Johns heart,
yet, as Henry had said, they were broth.
ers, and had loved each other once with
passion seldom exceeded. But that
was when Henry was a blue eyed boy
innocent and joyous. Since then, one
act had severed all loving ties, crushed
all brotherly interest or regard.
When every one else had turned
against the reckless man, John, still Low
ing and true, did all in his power to re
claim his wandering footsteps. Beside
Offering him monetary assistance, h,
gave him shelter in his own home, ant
the influence of loving woman's SO
ciety. Johns wife, Florence, an(
Johns little Flossy, were fairly idolizet
by the fond husband and father. Be
lieving that Florence could aid him il
checking Halls disgraceful career he en-
listed her sympathies in his beh IT,
Everything that love could do. ever,
attraction perfect home possessed, wa
called upon to win the brother from dis
solute companions and vices. And wha
return did he make For o time,
seemed as if their exertions were to NEE
with just reward; but then, after
few months of being what Hal calle,