The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-28

L grew morbid and bitter, and &
last | wrote 10 an acquaintance in Sa
Francisco. asking for tidings of IN
brother and wife. ron Tiyfgtp~I i.
The friend was not so neglectful a
the wife and brother. ~ a-.ss
Soon-too soon--I got reply. Cal
see it now, in letters of fac. "M
dear fellow" it ran, Il have made in
quiries, as you requested, about you
wife and brother, aud can only FIND
that they disappeared from here few
months ago, telling no one where the,
were going, but evidently hayins
plenty of money! ,,. z,.s -.
What more the letter contained
never knew but that much of it wa,
burned into my brain, and at tha
point lost myself. They do say
was raving maniac. Perhaps so;
don't know.
I only know 1 found myself an OLD
man, blasted before my time, like 8
tree struck by lightning. at,.-
Yet, could not feel angry. How
could blame him? Was 1 not mad
to leave him with his LOVING heart, to
care for tender young beauty like
my Susy? How could he help loving
her9 Wasn't she all that was lovely
He was not to blame, poor fellow.
And she? Did she not love me, and
was he not my twin brother: What
so strange, that, seeing his love, she
ehould grow to return it?
What should do? Should search
them out, and blast their lives forev-
erf Should come with my ignoble
revenge and tear her from his arms
Would she love me for it? Should
get back my wife and brother?
Oh, mol had been gone long
enough to give her divorce-she had
undoubtedly got it, and was even now
his wife. His wife! Oh, God, aud I
could live! = + ~
Weeks, months, years, dragged on.
1 scarcely knew they passed. Me-
chanically l worked on. Fortune, no
longer sought, showered gold on me.
l cared naught for it, but instinct pre-
vented me from throwing it away.
Gambling was utterly repugnant to
me. No form of dissipation lured me.
l was an old, old man at thirty. l
only worked and thought, and lived
over the old days--my one brief day
ofperfect joy.
never cursed them. The hurt was
too deep and too sharp for curses
From the depths Of my torn heart l
pitied them.
Well, twenty years rolled on, and 1
had got to be forty five years old, feel.
ing and looking more like sixty five,
bent and stiff and gray haired.
One pleasant Christmas day, in my
wanderings, | came on travelling
party of miners. bound to the gold
regions. Ijoined them, frontier fash
ion, and was soon seated at their fire,
exchanging news of the Indians and
from the States. I chanced to men,
ton my name.
We've got namesake of yours in
camp said one fellow.
Have you?' said, carelessly. 1T
isn't common name.'
NO; and that's why it's odd,' said
ne. Besides, you somehow remind
NE of him, though you're much older
han he. Ry-the-way, there he comes,
I turned-something l knew not
what, shot through me; rose, and
Knew my brother.
My heart gave one great bound. I |
orgot my wrongs. 1 saw only my
lear other self, the companion of my
'oyhood. sprung forward.
Robert! dear old boy! is it you?'
He looked at me eagerly-incredu-
ously.
Ralph it can't be your
1T il! l cried, and-well, l don't
now as I'm ashamed Of i'll EN-.
raced him like a schoolgirl, and wept.
Aud SO did he, poor fellow, though
e could hardly believe the wrecked
Id man was his brother.
But what struck me, even then, as
TRANCE, he did not shrink from me,
or act as though he had injured me.
Robert l said, when we were alone
nd calmer, I've forgiven you long
go. We won't speak of the past
It me only be happy in the bliss of
eeing you once none. Ill never
ONE around to trouble you.'
Forgive me:' he said. inquiringly.
don't understand. You'll never
'ouble me-and we'll not speak of the
asst? Why didn't you write to US
'alph? Your poor little wife'-
Don't speak of herv cried in sud-
en- agony. Il can bear anything else
spare me that!
But, Ralph, there's something very
range here. Why didn't you let me I
ear from your Why can't l speak
her? Since you are not dead-as {
e supposed-why did you desert
er?' @
Desert her! My God!' and 1 fair
: laughed. {
A horrible laugh, I dare say, for
obert turned pale. l could see he
fought was mad. 1 resolved to
'ntrol myself, and since we must
I've it out, talk it over. So, after a
rn or two, I came back, and stood {
' him once more. {
Now. Robert, il there is any mis- l
Ike here, let us understand it at once. S
left you twenty years ago in charge !
my wife, in San Francisco {
ou did, and T. /
And YOU | interrupted, fools good I
re of her, and did not hear from me
Id she grew tired of waiting, and Y
~. A<x.r \ q