The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-08-15

exchanging news of the Indians and from
the states. I chanced TO mention my
name.
"We've got namesake of yours in
camp" said one fellow.
"Have your 1 said careiessly. "It
isn't a common name"
''No, and that's where it's odd" said
he; "besides, you somehow remind me OF
him, though you're much older than he.
By the way. there he comes"
I Iturned-something, knew not what,
shot through me. rose, and knew my
brother.
My heart gave one bound. I forgot
my wrongs. I saw only my dear other
self, the companion of my boyhood, l
sprang forward.
Robert dear old boy is it your"
He looked at me eagerly-incredu
lously.
"Ralph it can't be you 20
'It is;" 1 cried; and-well, l don't
know as I am ashamed of it embraced
him like a school girl, and wept.
And so did he, poor fellow, though he
could hardly believe the wrecked old
man was his brother.
But what struck me, even then, as
strange, he did not shrink from me, nor
act as though he had injured me.
Robert" l said, when we were alone
and calmer, Owe forgiven you long ago.
We won't speak OF the past. Let me
only be happy in the bliss OF seeing you
ence more. Pu never come around to
trouble you"
'Forgive mel" he said inquiringly.
"I don't understand. You'll never
trouble me and we'll not speak of the
past? Why didn't you write to US,
Ralph? Your poor wife"
Don't speak of her!" I cried in sud
den agony. 81 can bear anything else
spare me that"
'fBut, Ralph, there's something very
strange here. Why didn't you let US
hear from your Why can't speak of
her? Since you are not dead-as we
supposed-why did you desert herr"
'Desert herl My GOd!' and 1 fairly
laughed.
A horrible laugh, dare say, for Robert
turned pale. l could see he thought l
was mad. [ resolved to control mvself,
and since we must have it out, talk it
over. So after a turn or two, came
back and stood by him once more.
''Now, Robert, if there is any mistake
here, let us understand it at once. left
you, twenty years ago, in charge of my
WlI6, IN OaQ + rdnClSCO-
" You did, and L"
And you" 1 interrupted, " took good
care of her, and did not hear from me
and she grew tired of waiting and loving
shadow; and you-and you loved
herp
"Holdl'' ne shouted, his eyes blazing.
Who told you that infamous lie 2"
" And She" I went on, not needing
l. Il F,Sv, oHa
your love and she-returned it,
Robert seized my arm as though he
would murder me, but went on cOolly:
"Hush, till have done. When you
received the money I sent, you were toe
! far gone to go back. She got divorce
| you married her: and left the city.
! don't blame you"
"And you you've believed this for
twenty yesrs ?'' he said, calmly, now,
! though it was the calmness of smOth-
cred volcano.
81 have"
"You have for twenty long years be-
| Iieved that your wife and brother were
infamously false to you p
O. have"
"Then, hear me, Ralph, while I swear
and his form seemed fairly to dilate
and grow grand, as he said-sOlemnly,
81 The whole story is a most Infamous
| falsehood Your vile is as true 20 you
to-day as she was the day you left her.
| twenty years ago"
"Whst do you mean?" 1 cried, fran>
tically, overwhelmed by his manner and
/ his words.
"What do I say, Ralph?" Oh there
has been some great mistake Hear my
story. After you left US, 1 struggled on
| Il, 4I,r, I,1a ut 4.
ing very well. Susy dropped at frst but
soen grew cheerful and began to plan foI
| your return"
These words brought the dear little
creature so plain before my eyes, that
sank to the ground and covered my face
GAS weeks and months and years
passed on" he went On slowly, " hel
cheeks grew thin and pale, and hungry
look came into her eyes. / saw she was
pining, and wrote q letter after you, bu
no word could we hear. There came Il
me in little envelope, directed to bOtt
of US, a draft of five thousand dollars
with not s. word to tell how or from
whom it came. OF course we knew i
, was from you, but whether gift or legacy
who could tell?
" We instituted new inquiries. Moth
T ing that love could suggest was left un
. done. At last we were forced to con
| clude you were dead. By my advic
7 the money was invested in a small farm
; some distance from San Francisco, an'
, Susy went to live on it, while l starte'
out on a sort OF vagabOnd, wandering
| life, in hopes at least to find your grave
l for we never believed you were aliv
: these long years, and never let us hear
z That lie have lived for fifteen years
| So IL
1 zee to the comfort of Susy; and now
e find you--"
you find me-" | interru pied, Z"
Y wreck--a miserable wretch, who hs
o blasted three lives by his criminal weak
e ness, his childish credulity in believin
v evil, and who will soon rid the earth {
e his presence" and I started 10 90, e
o despair had seized upan me.
That I should have believed that no
q ror for so many years, and flad 1t
% stupid mistake; that / should hay
d thrown away my lie, the blessed lOI
OF my true wife, the warm affection
n nv brother, for an idle scandal. It WI
? too much to endure.
2, Robert laid a OBTAINING hand on m
le arm.
y 'But Susy, Ralph what shall 50
to the loving womsn who has suffered
ID much for you %
t. LET her still believe me dead, y l sa
:, gloomily.
;! NAY. brother; let me rather IestC
| you to her. Ralph. go home, and let
l. be so happy together 80 to partly ma
sr up for these years of mistakes and err
I'd and griet."
le Well, he persuaded me, and soon v
as eager enough myself. Now the gold
of had despised was valuable, as it cou
Id add To Susy's comfort l gathered 1t d
ID and we started for home.
. Homel 1 had not spoke the word
fifteen years.
as AS we went, Robert tried to prePi
N me for a change in Susy.