The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-08-20

IRON MIN LOT some 'mOnCnS. mat was
all.
Mr.. Temple asked me to dine with him
that evening and after dinner he became
more confidential. He requested me not
to repeat what he would now tell me, and
after my promising this, he said he was
sorry to say that my brother was in bad
way. He had fallen in love, it seemed,
with beautiful woman who did not care
for him. He followed her everywhere
and neglected his business duties in his
intatuation, so that he would probably
lose his situation. Mr.. Temple told me
this with grave face, but I could not
help thinking he rather enjoyed it; al
though once as he spoke of the lady's
beauty, his brow bent in a brown very
like anger.
After he left me I was very miserable,
and never saw him as rain to ask him
more. brooded over it during sleepless
nights.
My brave; strong-souled brother in a
wicked woman's tolls! I pictured her,
golden haired and grand, but with a
cruel mouth and hard, beautiful eyes
that told of selfish, restless soul, and I
used to cry out in the darkness, 80,
Charley! Come away, come away"
The days and weeks and months pass
ed, and no letter came, although 1 wrote
begging for one line.
worked fitfully but hard, and two Of
the lecturers spoke kindly to me, and
hoped I was not oYertaxing myself. I
was. Work was my only relief and refuge.
It was Christmas Eve, as have men
toned, and five years after Charley's
departure.
was reading anatomy at the time,
and the porter, who had charge Of the
dissecting room, used to allow me to go
there in the evenings. which often did,
both because there was a good fire and
because I could verify and illustrate my
readings by appeals to the diagrams and
subjects.
This evening l had come as usual.
There were but two subjects on the tables
"a man and woman-and I was desir-
Gus of doing a good nights work. A
cheerful method Of spending Christmas
Eve, you will say.
But before commencing, however, I sat
down to warm myself, and as was fire.
Quent with me under such circumstances,
my thoughts reverted to my brother.
How long I thought Of MN I know
not, but at length with sigh of impotent
grief, I turned away and stood beside the
table on which lay the male body.
Was it fancy or trick Of the flicker
ing freight, but surely the eyes were
open and looking at me?
A cold persp1ration broke out on my
brow-a dumb terror possessed my
soul.
It was no fancy. The dead man sat
bolt upright and spoke, and oh my God!
as he did so I recognized Charley in
those awful discolored lineaments.
"Alan!' The voice came low, hoarse
and distant, as from grave ALAN, little
brother"
I could not speak or move. My tongue
Glove to the roof Of my mouth, and felt
myself glued to the spot.
Then it spoke again, this time with a
reproachful cadence: "Won't you come
to me, little brother?"
I found my muscular faculty, but not
my voice. In speeches. terror I advanced
and stood beside its-Charley's-sh shout
der. It stretched out hand, cold and
clammy as death, and took mine and I
shuddered involuntarily.
Are you afraid of me, even you,
Alan?'
49, No. No. 5 gasped. mo, Charley, but it's
It laughed. Can I ever forget that
laugh? Swinburne talks of mans laugh
ter heard far down in hell.
That was it-far down, oh! so far
down! De profundis.
eyes, it is strange, is it not, little
brother,' it proceeded when it's hollow,
awful laugh was over. "Very strange
that I, Charles Gordon, son of the late
Charles Alan Gordon, and confidential
clerk of the firm of Gayworthy, Geddes &
Co., should have followed in my fathers
footsteps and, after committing murder
and dying by poison self-administered in
a London street, should be promoted to
serve science as subject in this hospital?
Ha, ha, hap and once again the mock
ing laugh rang ont.
"But don't be afraid. would not hurt
you if could, Alan"-the voice sounded
tender here, in spite Of its hollow wierd-
ANoo "oA0 W Div" JOu uOW IL Cdluc
about. I can do that better than tell
you, but you must shut your eyes,"
In dumb obedience did so and felt
the cold, dreadful hand touch my head.
Then there rose up before my mental
vision ball room, blazing with light and
beauty-in India, I was sure, from it's
architectural characteristics and adjuncts.
and the luxurient exotics which bloomed
on the piazza, of which a glimpse could
be gained past the throng. There were
officers present and their red uniforms
and gold epaulettes added to the bril-
liancy and admiration of the scene.
And bright the lamps shone DER fair women
and brave men.
Suddenly / saw my brother standing
amid a knot Of takers. He was older.
bigger and browner than when he left
England and looked very handeome, I
thought, IN his plain evening dress. He
left his place as first observed him, ap-
parently at the request Of gentleman,
and crossing the room stood before a
lady. raised my eyes to her face and
started. It was she-the woman I had
pictured as Charley's bane.
There was the imperial form, the proud
face, peerlessly but cruelty beautiful, the
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