Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-11-07
q 2leasant Story,
RANKIN BROTHERS.

Harry Rankin was married. His elder
brother and senior partner, George Rankin
now, for the first time, fully realized The fact
True, he had that very morning arrayed
himself in unwonted fincry, had gone to
church in an uncommonly solemn frame OF
mind, and assisted at the wedding lie had
even gone so far as to print brotherly kiss
upon the lips of the bride, as she and Harry
left ON their bridal tour Still he had not fully
mastered the fact that Harry Rankin was
married until now. He poIled his fire into
a blaze and planted his chair fairly in front
Of it, by way Of asserting his sole occupancy
of the hearth. Around him were all the
bachelors traps that he and Harry had &c
cumulated during their joint tenancy of the
room. He did not inventory them in his
mind-he did not see them, for he was look
ing at the fire-stil they were there, and he
knew they were there and felt their inhu-
ence. He felt that the room would never be
II home again-nothing but hermitage.
"Ihs is worse than having tooth
drawn" said he to himself at was dull
enough here with him, after he got to pros
ing eternally about Eva, and bothcring me
with his ground plans for cottage houses. /
thought should be glad when it would all
be over, and should have heard the last of
Eva and double parlors and winding stairs,
but now that it is over and have heard the
the last of it, don't seem to be very lively.
The old den will never be itself again. The
firm of Rankin brothers is dissolved so far
as this place is concerned | shall have to
carry on this branch Of the establishment
alone. ! suppose ! shall get used 10 il after
awhile, but just now feel like fellows
left ieg when the surgeon carries of the
right one in sack. | ought to write three or
four letters TO night, but there's no usein my
trying 10 do anything. If do won't ac-
compiish rs much rs n b.ucbOtte fly on Il
wooden gods nose. I shall have to resort
to opium, or chl0rOlOrm, or Ioscphus, or
something, to get 10 sleep in this haunted
chamber tonight"
With these cheerful reflections and many
others Of the same sort, he whilcd away the
evening until about nine O'Clock, when the
solitude became 50 oppressive that he sailed
forth, stick in hand, and walked by star
light until about eleven O'Clock, after which
Returned in and slept soundly.
The interesting event mentioned in the
above paragraphs did not prevent the senior
member Of the firm Of Rankin brothers from
resuming his uniform routine Of habits and
duties the next morning. Atprecisely eight
O'Clock, his long-established breakfast hour,
he took his accustomed chair NJ the hotel
table, and was supplied with his imhcmo-
rial breakfast Of toast, coffee and medium
boiled eggs.
The rusting Of a lady's dress called his
attention from hls breakfast 10 the opposite
side Of the table There sat his brothers
bride.
Why, Eva" he said, you here? Didyou
miss the boaty Where's Harry
"Sir" said the lady, with a stare Of un-
utterable astonishmcnt--
"lIow does it happen that you didn't get
of You had ample time 10 reach the boat
Did the carriage break down on the way 10
the landing1" said Rankin, a little discom-
posed by The amazed look Of the lady, it is
true, but still confident that be- was address
ing his brothers wife.
by this time the lady began iosce ihctre
state Of the case.
"You mistake me for some other person."
said She.
II was now Mr.. llankn's turn to be amaz-
ed. The lady before him 70 exactly rcscm-
bed his brother bride in every line Of her
face and figure, every trick Of countenanoc,
lip and eye, that he felt more disposed b.
doubt her sanity than her identity There
was the same slight, 1.-THE figure, the same
smooth brown hair, the self-same hazel eye,
the identical high, clear forehead and petite,
sprituelle lower fi,c
"Can il be possibc that am mistaken p
aaid he 81 b0k sou for my brothers wife
The resemblance lmot extraordinary, and