The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-07-14

to an impetuous hand upon the lock-
Uncle David turned his eyes quickly to
the fire; little Davie hid his face in his
white, trembling hands; but after that
mOmentary pause, although they neither
of them looked up, they both knew in
stinctively that Hew was in the room.
Hoiloa!" he said shading his eyes,
and sending his clear, ringing laugh into
the hall before him; I've had such a
jolly time out in the stables! What are
you up to here, you two?"
He looked so bright and handsome
standing in the doorway, with the snow
| glittering on his uncovered curls and
rough tweed coat, that Uncle David sat
for moment looking at him before he
! spoke. Then he said: Flush, Davie!
Hew, come here and let me look at you"
& But my boots, uncle" objected Hew
-" muddy and wet are no words for
them, Why, detective could track me
anywhere!
" Never mind your boots" said Sir
David; " | have question to ask you"
Hew came in at once then, leaving a wet
impression on the stones, and stood
straight on the rug before his uncle, in
the very place where little Davie had
shrunk back five minutes before.
They were as different in appearance
as light from darkness, night from day,
these two brothers, these two nephews of
Sir David's: little Davie, wan and deli.
cate and beautiful-Hew, as strong and
proud as a young eagle, with honest,
eager eyes and boyish laugh that it did
nnn 10 IYrt 81,
fond Of each other for all that-loved
each other with that strange unalterable
love which lies between brothers oftener
than we think, and that never died out
between these two until the very end.
What is it," the boy asked, pushing
back his heavy hair with one hand; "what
is Davie crying for? and what is the
question:"
was asking Davie," said the old
man, leaning forward so that he could
lay his wrinkled hand on the soft, silky
curls at his feet, "about the boat. After
have forbidden it so many times, some
one had it out last evening; and DISC
bedience, as you knowg Hew, must be
punished"
go yes, of course" said Hew.
Did you take it," Uncle David asked,
bringing the question home with an en-
phasis that startled the boy, and made a
red flush, that might have been guilt, rise
to his forehead.
The young eyes lit up with flash of
almost insolent pride, and the young
head was turned defiantly toward the
gentle old man, while the clear voice
al 81
denly pair of great wan eyes were
lifted in piteous entreaty, little, nerv-
GUS hand touched the strong, brown one
that was hanging at his side, and he hes
itated.
The whole truth flashed across him in
an Instant as he shook off the slight
touch and moved over to the window;
and there, as if concluding an unfinished
sentence, he said: Why, yes, | did"
80 Heww said Uncle David, startled
And then he added, quickly: "But, then
thank God, you could not tell lier
The quick, red flush crept up again
over the happy, boyish face, but not such
guilty red as that which dyed the white
forehead hidden on Uncle David's knee.
Little David rose unsteadily, and put his
hand out 20 the hand that had sheltered
him in every trouble of his life-the
strong hand that could dare to bridge
the gulf between them and touch him
now, He shivered a little, and Hew
said; q What, cold, Davie, with such a
fire: Goodnight, Uncle David; we are
going to bed"
I" / must punish him." Uncle David
thought, when he was left alone, :" be-
cause | said so. My dear boys, how can
| have the heart to do it?" So the good
man, with a faltering hand, dealt out
justice to the two boys he loved almost
equally-the one for his weakness, the
other for his strength.
Out in the passage Hew waited for an
instant, expecting what? Whatever it
was, it did not come, however; for Davie,
waiting too, said nothing, and Hew
presently put his hand on the child's
trembling form, and understood and for
gave the cowardly heart that could
shrink from any physical pain, but could
dare to tell lie. Pm i'll for it now"
thought the boy, with a sort of logged
pride" the first l ever told and to IN
Gle David, too! butts for him" That
was the only excuse he offered for him
self; but, for aminute, he raised the hand
that had been laid over Davies, and
stood quite still; then he stopped and
put mis- arm, school-boy fashion, round
the child's shoulders, and Davie felt
quite safe.
To be sent to school at once! That
was the verdict Uncle David pronounced
in his study next morning, and that Hew
listened to with assumed indifference.
"And when?" he asked, directly.
Well, to-day" said Uncle David;
=" it is so much better to get over it at
once"
Uncle David" said the boy, coming
step nearer, and softening his voice,
" | may say good by to-him?'
Well, I'm afraid not" said Uncle
David, clearing his voice, and looking
worried and perplexed. I" He is 50 ill.,
you see; Morris was up with him all
night"
81 KNOW" said Hew. Then all his
petulant anger seemed to die utterly out,
and he came and stood close in front of
Uncle David's chair, and spoke earnest
ly. Uncle David, promise me-prom-
Use me on your sacred word of honor