Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-06-11
ISLAND POND, VERMONT FRIDAY, H. 1880.

in an invalid chair was wheeled by.
CHANGING to look up she met his glance
with smile of recognition. "Mr. Gour-
lay, it must be you. am so glad to see
you"
"And l to meet you," said John with
a courteous bow. 81 have not the pleas
ure of knowing"
my name-I am Alice Russell STILL"
she said frankly. At that moment Rog-
er appeared. For an instant the blood
forsook his ruddy face, while hot Grim
son flush rose to Alice's pale cheek as
she tried to stammer out some words Of
greeting. Roger was no less confused,
and the expression of both faces was
revelation to John Gourlay. He felt as
if the world had suddenly drifted away
from him and he was left solitary in
some unknown infinite shade. But there
was nothing of that in his voice when
he asked Alice for her address and per-
mission 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
about the strange encounter.
In the afternoon John called at Miss
Russell's hotel, and in few moments he
found himself seated beside her in
pleasant sitting-room overlooking the sea.
Alice" he said, plunging into the
subject at once, "do you remember a
conversation you had with my brother
long time agop"
eyes, l remember, Mr.. Gourlay," she
replied, sadly.
"He made request for me then which
it was not in your power to grant; am
come to make 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
it then"
"Poor Rogerm Alice said softly.
"You care about him? you will make
him happy even at this late hour? Tell
me, Alice, that you love my brother!"
Eyes, Mr.. Gourlay, l do. Why should
l deny itP I have loved him always,
though l did not know that he cared
about me, and if the little life that is left
me can make him happier, 1 will devote
it to him gladly, proudly-poor Roger!
You see I am too old for pretences, Mr..
Gourlay, and 1 fear l am dying; there
fore, tell you ALL"
dying, Alice? No, no! you will live
many years yet, I hope, to make my dear
brother happy-brave, loyal, great-heart-
ed Roger. Let me send him to you now,
and, Alice for my old and long affections
sake, make him happy. He deserves it,
and that is the only way can ever help
to repay the devotion of his life."
Il love him." Alice replied simply, II
cannot do any uIUro."
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 his hands
on his shoulders; "loyal, faithful friend,
go to her; she loves you, she is waiting
for YOU"
"Poor Alice! how she must have suf-
feredm
'How we all have suffered! but it's
nearly over now, Roger-the grief, pain,
regret. It's all clear and bright. Roger,
dear friend, can you forgive mep"
Forgive you, John. Say rather can
you forgive me?"
'"True to the last" John murmured as
he wrung his brothers hand. Now,
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 Gour-
lay returned home full of deep, quiet
gladness, he found his brother sitting in
an easy chair near the window, appar-
emily asleep. The full moon shone
down on his pale face and showed
smile ON his lips; his hands were clasped
on an open book thaS rested on his knee.
The attitude was life-like, but at the very
first glance Roger felt that his brother
was dead. The doctor said he had died
of disease of the heart. Perhaps they
were right. More people die of that NAL
ady than the world knows of.