Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-12-24

and concert tickets, carriage hire, and
hot house flowers; and his devotion to
Alice Remson absorbed his time and at
tention to the exclusion of every other
thought or interest. All other admirers
fell away from Alice's train to devote
themselves to some one less preocupied
and society began TO look upon them az
belonging to each other, although no en-
gagement was ever announced"
Harry's face was turned away from
Joe's, but the latter saw slight shiver
convulse the boys frame, while one hand
was tightly clinched in the pillow under
his head
Zone night Charley came home and
passing my room on his way to his own,
stopped for moment | missed the
usual bouyancy from his quick, elastic
step, and the pleasant whistle that near
ly always announced his coming. Look
ing up at him, | saw sad, troubled look
in his handsome eyes, and struck by the
change in his manner, asked him what
was the matter, 1t was something Sc
upsual to see him anything but cheer
full and happy
II don't quite know, joe he an
swered, in the low sweet voice thar was
one of his greatest attractions. ally
promised to be at home tonight, and
when | went to her house she had gone
out-"with gentleman [ was told
is that an engagement, Charley 2
| asked.
81 suppose | may tell you, Joe,' he
replied but the little lady will not
have it announced publicly
why not ? / asked him.
i don't know. You--you don't
think she can mean to break her promise,
do you, Joe ? he asked in troubled
hesitating tone. She hasn't seemed
quite the same lately And heavy sigh
broke from his lips, and there was a
Slight evidence of tears in the depth OF
his soft brown eyes
"That was the beginning of the end
From that night change came over
Charley. The brilliant light in his eyes
faded away, the sound Of his football
grew heavy and weary as he dragged
himself hopelessly about, and his merry
whistle never woke the echoes in the old
clearinghouse again. Alice Remson's
falsehood and treachory had broken his
heart, and few weeks afterwards cost
him his life"
cit is false p With sudden bound
Harry sprang from his bed. his eyes glow
ing with the fury Of maniac With a
sudden jerk he seized Joe by the sboul-
der, and, dragging him to his feet threw
him forcibly back against the wall with
resistless strength born of the madness
Of passion thatengulfcd bis soul. Glow
dare you tell me such wild, false wick
ed lie? Do you stand there with such
"a vile, base falsebood on your lips and
think that shall not kill you p
Joe warded off the fierce blow that
would have fallen on his head with bis
left arm, exerting the full strength Of
his heavy muscular frame. pinioncd Har-
rvs arms to his side, and lifted him back
to the bed, where he held him by the
force Of one powerful hand,
Are you mad Harry, that you would
strike your best friend Control your
self instantly" and Joes stern gaze
looked into Harry's passionate eyes with
a calm, determined force that would
have subdued nature even more violent
than poor Harry's.
The boy WINGED under the severe
glance bent upon him, and twisting him
self away from the resolute grasp that
held him, buried his face among the
pillows, while deep groan came from
bis lips.
Harry" said Joe, while the tears
gathered in his eyes, and his voice qiiv-
cred at the sight of the poor boys suf-
fering, "bere is package of letters, the
evidence | have TO offer you Of the truth
of the said story I have told you tonight.
Among the first you will find Alice's con
fession Of love for Charley, her sweet ex-
pressions Of devotion and affection for
the man she afterward ruined then the
cruel letter that blighted his hope and
destroyed his ambition. Next few
cold business like lines from Mr.. Hunt
ley, informing him that his services are
no longer of value TO his employers. and
regrettiDg the necessity Of discharging
him. Last of all, few disjonted words
in Charley's own handwriting. in which
he announces his intention of scf-destruc-
ton, and bcgs me TO break the story of
his death gently to his mother, and
shield his memory if possible, from the
obliquy that attaches itself to the name
Of suicide. Then, Harry, here is
In one column you will
find a paragraph headed Fatal Accident
Found Drowned, and description of
how poor Charley's body was discovered
when the waters gave up their dead.
In another column you will sec des-
cription Of Miss Remson's elegant toilet
as she appeared that evening at the
grand charity ball"
Joe might have spared him this last
pang lie had done bis work thorough
ly. He hal torn the veil # romance
and purity away from Alice Remson's
life and character aud exposed her to
Harry's guze as n woman guilty Of the
crime Of driving weak and gentle soul
e iction by her heartlessness and
81 20 Joe ceased speaking Harry lay
iar fev minutes motionless. His fierce
Passigr bad subsidized, and with noble
effort be rallied bis powers Of endurance
and eif-control, to enable him to face in
a manner becoming man the rniz1aGSm
tune a1at bed fallen upon bis Lie