Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-01-14
OUR HANDSOME NEIGHBoR

matter with Howard, his case is hope
less"
Maurice Aubray was as fat as
Count Fosco; but, it is to be hoped,
not much like that nobleman in any
other respect. Handsome also was
Mauricc-rather leoninc about the
head-born as he was accustomed to
explain, under the sign of Leo. lie
was the man for an emergency and
had come to his brothers post-haste,
commanded by Howard's distressed
wife.
81 have just shaken hands with
Howard and your sister both," said
Maurice. "He looks peevish, but
that's nothing new. suppose you
have not indicated the object of my
sudden descent"
"Not syllable. Marian simply
consulted with me as to what was
best. She fears he is losing his
mind"
Maurice laughed a little.
"Rather depressed here-the place
to have ones head turned away
Don't you find it dull?"
Miss Emma blushed and glanced
along the grass, unaccountably dis
concerted.
T-I don't know. l like tn,
country"
"This is the country, with a ven
geancc! | dare say you have no so
ciety at all. Who lives in the cot
tage next door?" asked Maurice
scanning the pretty gothic building
through the eyeglass. "a brick wall
to, divi1.es the two gardens! How
odd! Not an asylum, or that sort OF
thing is it,"
ooh, no!' replied the young lady.
"a young man lives there-a her
nit"
"a hermit. Handsome of course
"Oh, very handsome. He is q
student and writes"
81 see-another Tennyson. He
lived shut up within himself, 4
tongue tied poet in the feverous days
isn't that it!'
Just then there was 4 tap on the
window-pane. Maurice re-entered
the house quickly. He was met
by his sister-in-Iaw-a beautiful wo
man, whose face was pale and care
worn.
"Maurice, your brother is ready te
receive you now," she said. 81 hope
you will be able to dissipate this ter
rible cloud that hangs over us.
have sent for you as a last step"
81 shall do what | can of course
but are you sure you don't cXagger
ate matters littlc?"
"Not the least. | began to grow
satisfied he is mad He remains
moody and sullen in his room all the
timo-seldom speaks to mc-when
Il servant knocks at the door he gives
way to a burst of tury-all the nigh,
he PAGES the tloor-are not these
things signs of insanity"
"Ot insanity or dyspepsia. And
can You imagine whether there is a
secret foundation"
"None-none! I assure you there
is not the shadow of i cause. We
live like hermits, and under almost
no expense. For several years How
ard has not spent half his income"
Fat brother Maurice frowned and
shook his big head.
"Puzzling-puzzling," he said
'Well depend upon me to do my
best"
Howard Aubray was in his study
Slender, pale, and dark, he looked
the picture of an invalid; and this
effect was heightened by another fact;
he was crippled. He sat in his chain
silent, gloomy and suffering; his
cheek rested upon his hand. At the
entrance of Maurice, he did not rise;
but pecvishly offered his hand.
81 am glad to see you, Maurice, .
he said. "rhough you don't proba
bly, think so. Sit down-tumble the
books off that armchair. Whac on
earth brought you to this forlorn
placer"
"W hat 4 change of air and scene,"
answered Maurice briskly. "My
old rule, you know-bird of pass
age"
"You always were an active spirit
it is true and |, passive as a stone
monument. Don't you think | look
like the fiend hinselt?" and he cast
i sour sneer at the cornice.
"You don't look well, | admit,
and / know very well that there is
something at the bottom of it."
"There is :" said the invalid, clinch
ing his fingers with sudden fury. 81
am the most miserable dog alive, ano
| couldn't hide it ifI would. 1t i.
strange that have not blown my
brains ont long ago"
"Well, what's the trouble? Some
nonsense, I dare say"
eyes; very foolish" said Howard
Aubrary, with short laugh
"Amusing to others not in the sam,
fix"
cove money!"
81 owe vengeance-a debt that i.
accumulating from hour to hour, ant
from minute to minute, at COMPOUND
interestn' he cried, rising and limp
ing about the floor. 81 have discov
cred that my wife is in love with ou1
handsome neighbor! Too absurd tt
treat seriously, isn't it?" Such an
old story, you know; but it ends trag
ically sonetimesw
"What do you mcan?"
"You perhaps noted the pretty cot
tage next door! A very good-look
ing and fascinating young man live.
therc-Mr. Ashly Travers. He i.
not sickly cripple like me, and tn,
lady who passes for my wife has
been discerning enough to see tn.
difference"
Maurice heard this with alarm and
pain. OF all the conjecturcs he hat
made regarding the cause of hi.
brothers conduct, the miserabl,
truth that he was on the rack of jeal
ousy never entered his mind.
"You cannot be seriouss' he said.
"Perhaps you will learn better
soon. l am waiting, and on the