Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-06

fixed by the terrible charm of deaths mon
ument The trees waved in light. leaty
canopy over the place, and all around the
light and quiet air seemed TO be sacred.
To him it seemed that the statue angels
guarding the corner of the vault were in
deed angels. and she'd around that grave
her grave, he thought-their holy light.
Only when the leaves rustled at last the
spell upon him seemed loosened, and then
he staggered forward.
Ida, Ida.' he cried aloud, "why did
| lever leave you?"
Gerald. Gerald! whose fault was
that?- said voice close to him.
Raising his head. separated from him
only by the stone, he saw his brother.
And so they met. There was no anger
only anguish, in Geralds mind.
Take me away, Frank" he said.
This is too much for me now. have
come back to die
NO, not to die, Gerald. You will be
better soon, and She
FLUSH. hush, for PHYS sake Take me
away from here Take me home-your
home if you will" said Gerald.
my home Both our homcs-the old
home Gerald"
'Hark rs said Gerald, as they turned to
the gate. .Harki"
Below them the sound of voices coming
up the village street, came borne upon the
air-voices of strong, hearty men-happy.
light-hearted men. And the chorus rang
out upon the morning air, surged up to the
two men, so painfully parted, so strangely
united again, and sent a thrill to the hearts
of each ''Auld Lang Synen'
l. Il hot tho x.,pI- fnrpa1 r.
er than ever the link in the chain of re-
union. Gerald felt that it recalled his
lasts words to his brother at their parting.
"For Aud Lang Syne." Again the
chorus came out upon the air, and Ger
aid reached out his hand and cried:
Frank, Frank, forgive met
Frank led him down quieter way than
that of the village road, and on toward the
old home, but before they reached it the
tale of wrong was told and Gerald sought
an explanation.
Frank heard him out with wonder.
scarcely knowing how to undeceive his
brother. and fearing by a sudden shock to
add to the chances of his illness. lie led
him on, not speaking much, but trying
gradually and gently to bring before him
the events Of the past twelve months.
And Gerald waikiki on quietly, uncon-
sciously until he found himself standing
almost at the entrance of Rutland Hall.
He started them for there upon the low
balcony which ran in front of the house he
saw, outlined by the soft line from within
the room, a fair form he had known too
well. Was it real or only dreamp Was
it life or spirit of the past?
1t moved--the form upon the balcony,
stretched forth hand to hint lived.
But two words passed between them.
..Idar'
Gerald -
And hers came with gasp, for the next
moment he held her in his arms. Per-
haps it is as well here to follow the custom
in such cases, and apologize for not being
able to give the conversation. Suffice it
to say that to neither was the sudden sur
prise fatal.
Il thought you were dead" said Ger
aid at length, when, having taken her into
the room, they were seated together.
dead - she repeated. mo, hap
He did not let her finish; but she gave
him to understand that this was only
dream in that Australian cabin, and she
blessed the dream which sent him back to
her to forgive him, and once more to call
him hers
II was only after some hours had elapsed
that Frank, discreet man, reappeared.
He came then, and the two listeners told
the tale of the error.
Ida, too, produced picture and hand
kerchief marked with blood and torn at
the corner.
The handkerchief Gerald recognized as
one that she had bound around his head
that evening he had rescued her father
and injured himself.
The picture was of man rescuing
another from a mill-stream. In it Gerald
recognized two portraits, and he pressed
the original Of one to his heart. To Sc
cure that picture, having taken Frank into
her confidence, Ida had periled her life's
happiness, though unknowingly. TO that
the conversation on the river had refer
ence.
If, in the readers mind, there appears
little ground for jealousy in the words
spoken, let him remember this: In mans
quiet nature the greater impulse is honor.
Gerald's was mind nobly endowed, his
nature strong, and he offered as sacrifice
upon the altar of his brotherly love the
highest affection of his soul. The expla-
nation bore to each lesson in love, in
courage and in life and though seas
were set betwixt them their hearts were
not divided.