The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-06-28

CHAPTER /.

CHAPTER 1.
aPhil, dear old fellow, how glad I am
to see you again~
sand I to see you, Bertiep' .,,.rs
The two brothers clasped hands in that
strenuous grasp which, with Anglo-Saxon
men, expresses SO much, and gazed into
each others faces with eyes that were
slightly misted. Five years had passed
since they last saw each other, and many
are the changes which can be wrought
during that length of time aon. human
faces, as well as in human lives. Col
onel Philip Thurston, of the Egyptian
army, had grown many shades darker,
and somewhat older in appearance, since,
like Childe. Harold, he hade his native
land good-night, and sailed away tosthe
cliines of the sun; while BERTHE Egerton,
whom he left gay STRIPPING, with the
world all before him-a world ready
enough to show its most attractive side
to one so sunny in. nature, so charming
in manner, SO literally endowed with the
good things of fortune-had undergone a
deeper change. The bright boy whom
Thurston we'll remembered, had vanished
forever, and left in his place a man with
q somewhat worn and almost reckless ex-
preston on his handsome face, when the
light of cordial gladness died out oft.
Of this change, Thurston, however,
was too wise to speak. The brothers had
met on the deck of an ocean-steamer, and
there were hundred things to say
questions to ask and answer-while they
entered a carriage and were driven to
Egerton's hotel. 1t was not until after
dinner that anything like confidential
conversation took place. Then, as they
were smoking together, with the summer
twilight dying away over the city roofs
and spires, Egerton said, in studiedly
careless voice IF you had delayed your
coming little longer, Phil, you would
not have found me on this side of the
Atlantic. I had made all my arrange
ments to go abroad when received your
letter." r3,,
'Indeedw said Thurston. "Where
did you think Of going?"
indiferently. "To Europe for the sum
mer, suppose. In the autumn l meant
to turn eastward, and pay you visit.
Egypt must be pleasant country to live
in, l think. If I pitched my tent there
we might have q comfortable time-yOu
could drill, and march, and counter
march, to your hearts content, while l
reclined under q palm-tree, or ioated on
the Nile"
$50 that is your idea of life IN Egypt,
is it ?n said Thurston, with a laugh. 1t
is good enough country for me-a sol
dier by nature and profession, with no
fortune beside my sword-but it would
not suit you. The novelty of everything
might amuse you for time, but should
be sorry for you to think of pitching your
tent there permanently"
Gas we'll there as anywhere else" said
Egerton, with shadow of gloom falling
over his face. Novelty islwhat L want.
lam tired to death of the life know.
might forget myself, perhaps, in one that
Idian't know. I have felt t4ately as if |
should like to escape. from 1.-The tumult
and fret of modern civilization, to the
ancient and unchangeable East"
Thurston took his, cigar from his lips,
and knocked the. faathery ashes off,
against the ledge Of the open window by
which they sat, before he said:
'sThere is, not a great deal of the un-i
changeable East to be found in Egypt
noweunless you go to Thebes, which is
not at the present time q cheerful place
of residence, whatever it may have been
three thousand years ago. Cairo, under
the new regime, has quite as much
stumult and fret in it as any city of Eu-
rope. But this disgust of modern civili-
zation is altogether new with you what
has caused it?"
Safety, suppose" Egerton replied,
looking at the young moon as it hung, a
golden boat, in the pearly sky. * be-
lieye there is no doubt but that if a man
were restricted to adiet of ortolans and
champagne, he would tire of them after
a while. For FIVE years I have run
through every form of social dissipation,
and been sufficiently courted and amused.
But it has palled at last. I am tired of
the friyolity that has made the sum of
nv lifei I am sick of dancing and firt-,
ing, of. clubs and, drawing rooms. IF I
do not go away and turn idler or savage
for time, think I shall blow out my
brains w >&3
He had forgotten himself, and in the
last sentence there was so much passion
ate earnestness-on the outlines of the
handsome face such deepening reckless
ness-that Thurston was fairly startled.
Yet what could he say? The malady
was plain enough, but it must needs be a
skillful physician who can minister to a
mind or spirit deceased. So, for a min
ute, there was silence. Carriages were
rolling below, pedestrians passing, lamps
cleaning through the deepening dusk; a
child's laugh foated up together with a
red balloon; some distance down the
street band of musicians were playing.
On this medley of sound Thurston's voice
broke. i
eff the necessity for change of scene is
so urgent" he said, with tolerably sue
cessfal attempt at lightness Of tone, "you
must not let me detain you in America.
So long as I am with you, it does not
matter where my furlough is spent.
After have transacted little necessary
business, I am ready to accompany you
to Paris or Stamboul."
"Nay, I am not quite so selfish dog
as that" said Egerton, with smile but
Thurston noticed that his lip trembled
under the silky-brown mustache. 1T
ought to be enough for me to be with
YOU" he went on, without dragging you
over the ocean, again, when you have just
made long journey to see your home
and your friends. You'll be patient with
me, / know. Pm not quite myself in all
respects, but with regard to you'-and
his hand fell on his brothers shoulder
-"I have not changed one iota." !
"Do you think | doubt that ?" asked
Thurston. "Do you think could doubt
it under any circumstances? We have
not been like ordinary brothers, BERTHE,
at any period of our liyes-you know
that as well rs I do. Thank God, no bit
terness has ever come between us-nor