Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-05-26

flush rose to Alice's pale cheek as she tried
TO stammer out some words of greeting.
Roger was no less confused, and the express
sion of both faces was a revelation to John
Gourlay He felt as if the world had sud.
denly drifted away from him and he was
left solitary in some unknown, intimate
space. But there was nothing of that in
his voice as he asked Alice for her address,
and permission to call upon her in the
afternoon Then taking his brother by the
arm he led him away. and they continued
their walk without exchanging single
word abont the strange encounter.
In the afternoon John called at Miss
Russells hotel, and in a few moments he
found himself seated beside her in pleas
ant sittiag room, overlooking the sea.
"Alice," he said, plunging into the sub
ject at once, ''do you remember conver-
sation you had with my brother q long time
agoi'
''Yes, 1 remember, Mr.. Gourlay," she
replied sadly,
'.He made a request for me then which
it was not in your power TO grant; l am
come to make a similar one for him now.
Roger loves you, Alice. He has loved you
all these long, weary years, though you
will at least believe l did not know 1t
then
Poor Roger" Alice said, softly.
''YOu care about himl You will make
him happy, even at this late hour? Tell
me, Alice, that you love my brother!
"Yes, Mr.. Gourlay, do. Why should /
deny it? have loved him always, though
| did not know that he cared about me,
and if the little life that is left me can make
him happier, will devote it to him gladly,
lproudly-poor Roger! You see | am too
old for pretenses, Mr.. Gourlay, and l fear
am dying; therefore, tell you all
"Dying, Alice: No, no, you will live
many years yet, hope, to make my dear
brother happy-brave, loyal, great-hearted
Roger. Let me send him to you now, and
Alice. for my old and long affections sake
make him happy. He deserves 1t, and
that is the only way can ever help to re-
pay the devotion of his life"
81 love him." Alice replied, simply; 81
cannot do any more"
In their lodgings John Gourlay found his
brother pacing restlessly up and down.
Roger, I've found out your secret and
hers" he said, laying both hands on his
shoulders; '1oyal, faithful friend. go to
her; she loves you, she is waiting for you. -
''Poor Alice how she must have suf-
teredl"
''How we all have suffered, but it's
nearly over now, Roger-the grief, pain,
regret. It's clear and bright. Roger, dear
friend, can you forgive me?''
Forgive you, John? Say rather can
you forgive me?"
''True to the last, John murmured, as
he wrung his brothers hand. Snow
Roger, go to her; she is waiting for you.
She loves you--loves you, Roger. Good
bye, and may you both be happy
Late that evening, when Roger Gourlay
returned home. full of deep, quiet gladness.
he found his brother sitting in an easy
chair near the window, apparently asleep.
The full moon shone down on his pale
face, and showed smile on his lips; his
hands were clasped on an open book that
rested on his knee. The attitude was life
like, but at the very first glance Roger felt
that his brother was dead. The doctors
said he had died of disease of the heart.
Perhaps they were right. More people
die of that malady than the world knows
of.