Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-03-12
The viii Ofthe Half-BrOtller.
By l.. IDA WILLIAMS.

By L. IDA WILLIAMS.
leave me, Annie, you need fresh
air will stay with your uncle" And
almost joyfully the girl accepted her
release from the confinement of the sick
chamber, and, lifting up her pretty rosy
mouth to her fathers for kiss, she
said. affectionately,-
Dear, good papa, if it is not too
much, l would love to go and stay at
Rosie's till tea-time."
Certainly, my pet" answered Mr..
Allen, with almost unseemly haste to
be rid of her. Your poor uncle is
very low, and Tiff anything--wel if
the worst should come, he would much
rather have me by him."
Another kiss, and Annie took herself
away, and her father returned to- the
sick room, where the irregular breath
ing of the sick man, and the dim light,
gave sepulchral gloom to the scene.
There was not a man in all N
whose escutcheon shone brighter than
John Aliens. No church member
ranked higher, and no man was more
lionized in society. Three years before
put StOIN OpSnSs LILO
come to him in deep grief at the spend
thrift behavior of his only son, and his
indignation was in no wise modified by
the willy John.
I'm cut him off without farthing!"
he said determinelly. mot one cent
more shall the fellow have I paid ten
thousand dollars--gambling debts for
him last week ; debts Of honor. they
call them, but why, can't see-never
could and that is a trihe, mere trihe,
il they were all told. You see, John,
the lad would beggar me in no time.
Your religion teaches you to forgive
seventy times seven, and kill the fatted
cali for the prodigal I've done it, John,
done it, and I haven't your religion,
either so don't preach to me shall
make my will to-day, and give every
thing"
50 To found society for reforming
young men, said the brother, shutting
and opening his eyes; or to some
church, Or"
Coufound your churches and your
societies ! No-if home influence fails,
what's the good of either? I'll will
everything to you, John-everything
You are next nearest of kin after the
boy-and mine shall be yours"
John Allen, on the strength of his
brothers promise, and, in fact, having
seen that promise executed, entered
largely into speculations, and at the
time at which our story commences,
reckoning up his profit and loss, found
the greater part Of his fortune dissi-
pated, and looked with daily increasing
dread upon his half-brother's feelings,
which were ever growing kinder toward
his hayward son.
:" don't know, john" he had said,
but I've been too hard with the boy,
after all think, some of these DAYS.
III put a codieil to my will. giving him
something, if he'll reform"
- Yes, very good ; DO so,' answered
John. I'm sure l can't bear to see
father hard to his child and the
chances are that, if he promises he will
reform he will, and if he don't-well,
the chances are even."
That doubtful "if had the desired
effect /; there was no haste, and the
relentlng parent would wait awhile.
And ow.disease was here, and the doc
tor had gravely said,--
Your brother cannot last another
forty-eight hours
John Allen had prepared himself for
terrible struggle with his dying half
brother; and he had sent his daughter
away that she might not be a witness.
he feared no interruption from his
wife. No, poor woman She had been
suffering from disordered mind for
years brought on by a sudden shock.
the doctor could not tell the cause. and
ner husband said he could not yet
mere were times when this man trem-
pied to think of the past, and the
childish. simple laugh of his wife sent
him from her to the library, where.
locking himself in, he would pace the
floor and groan aloud.
" You will not give me anything from
shat tiny bottle, John Say you will
not !! the poor woman would say and
then, as If feeling obliged to explain.
John Allen would repeat the story that.
when she was first deranged, he used
70 give her medicine from q small bot
ueg that was very bitter, and. like a
enid, she remembered it. This seemed
plausible.
No. John Allen feared no Interim.
non from his wife SO he turned into
sne sick room, and took his chair again
beside the sick mans bed.
John, haven't felt like this before
do You think I'm dyinsf"
oh, hope not-I trus. no, ~
John took his hand as he spoke his
pulse was very slow.
John, you won't mind-youll bear