The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-04

possible. for my brother to resist such
periectioD Still, ] might be mistaken,
aud determined to watch them close
y. For days / saw nothing to indicate
that my surmises were correct, and /
began to think that It was but lovers
fears, and my heart grew light and
happy again ; aud I went to find her,
intending to tell her Of my idle, ,ground-
less suspicious.
As I went through the garden, on
my way to greenhouse where the
servants told me should find her. ]
came suddenly on sight which checked
my further PROCESS. Standing under
the shelter OF tree were two people,
man and womau-lle, with his arm
round her, tenderly supporting her,
while she looked up in his face trusting
ly aud lovingly.
1t was my brother and my promised
wife. As I stood still, rooted, rs 1t
were, to the spot, spellbound, their
lips met in a long, clinging kiss.
With q groan, turned and fed from
the accursed spot, and reaching my
room, threw myself on the bed, wild
with grief and despair, and unable to
collect my scattered thoughts. Moth.
ing but the one terrible truth was ever
before me l had lost her And he,
my brother, whom / had loved as my.
self, had robbed mo of her. Still,
strange TO say, no feeling Of anger or
resentment stirred my heart. Could /
blame him for loving her, or her for
loving him? He, who was landsomer
far than 1, clever, aud learned in the
ways OF the world, was more fitting
mate for her than was-poor, simple,
weak-minded, blinded fool. 1 lay for
hours, crushed and stunned, in kind
Of stupor, and at length fell asleep,
worn out by mental agitation.
Next morning l awoke calmer, md
able to think over the discovery /
had made. Witha decision and strength
Of mind very unusual to me, / de.
termined TO seek out my brother, aud
tell him knew all. Then would see
her, and release her from her promise
to me. Better for her to be happy
with another than TO be my miserable,
nnloving wife. As for me, I would
leave England, and travel; better so
than see her the happy, devoted wife OF
another man. found my brother, and
told hin what l had seen. l can not
tell how it came about; my memory
fails me about all that took place ut that
time. He must, I think, have mis-.
understood me for we quarreled, aud
he struck me to the earth. He left my
house at once, and 1 have seen him
only once from that day TO this, and
then but for moment, and unseen by
him.
Bruised by my brothers hand, was
ashamed to meet her. But more
grieved than angered by my brothers
conduct, / wrote to her simple letter,
telling her all, and offering to release
her. Her reply came only too soon. It
was kind but ready acceptance Of my
offer. She could not, she said in it,
deny her love for my brother. She still
loved me with all tile strength Of sis
tors love-alas, how cold to the love I
felt for her but her heart was given
to my brother, and with him alone
could she be happy. At the same time,
she added, that il on further consider.
alton insisted cn making her my wife,
she would, although reluctantly, per.
form her promise, and would try to
make go1l, faithful wife, but never a
happy one.
What csuld I do but give her upP
Was +, to satisfy q mean, selfish love,
TO drug the woman professed to love
beyond the wholeworld, into a wretched
unhappiness, full Of lifelong regrets
and blighted hopes?
When We met again it was rs brother
and sister. But the shock and struggle
were more than 1 could bear, and 1 sank
into i'll health, becoming nervous, and
ut times fancifnl. Ny doctors advised
change OF air and scene, and according.
ly prepared to start for tour on the
Continent. But before cor.d get away
u diabofical plot was prepared aud put
in prnctice by my brother, which was to
rob me Of money, home, and eyenreason
itself.
About q week before proposed start
ing I was rather surprised at receiving
n call from two gentlemen, both stran-
gers TO me, who introduced themselves
rs consulting physicians, and said they
had been requested TO call and see me
by my brother. Although astonished
at such n display OF interest on my ac-
count being shown by him, I never for
m instant suspected any sinister design
on his part, and answered most OF the
questions put 10 me without hesitation.
SO much so, in fact, that the two doc
tors rose, and, wishing mo good.morn-
ing, said they were very glad TO be able
TO report SO fayorably on me. As they
were leaving the room they stopped for
U moment, and said q few words togeth-
er in au under.tone. I only caught
her name, and felt myself redden at the
sound.
"Yes, " said one, "you arc right we
ought to try that subject"
Then, turning back, they began ask
ing me what I took to be impertinent
questions. / ordered them TO leave,
but they only questioned me further
until, wild with passion, lost all self
control over myself, and tried to push
them out Little I suspected then that
they were paid by my brother to exam.
inc me, and find nn excuse for pro.
nouncing me mad. Once in on asylum,
I could easily be kept there, and my
cruel brother would be able to enjoy my
property undisturbed.
A few days after what I have inst
told you took place received letter
from my brother hpologiEing 10 me for
his behavior, and asking me to forgive
him, and TO meet him at certain town,
about twenty miles from my place. II
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