Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-07-29

-I1NC pdostO Df, a GuhIltI
OF century OF changes and chances, and
still the Gourlay Brothers held the even
tenor Of their way. They were rich be-
You'd their wishes and desires, and not
altogether unhappy in their solitary
friendship. Alice Russell seemed to have
drifted completely out of their lives; her
name was never mentioned, and whether
she was married or dead they did not
know.
One morning about the middle of Sep,
TENDER they were walking along the
Kings road at Brighton, whittier they
had gone for their annual holiday
Roger entered a shop TO purchase some.
thing, and John stood outside looking
dreamily at the passers. by. Suddenly he
advanced step as lady in an invalid
chair was wheeled by. CHANGING to look
up she met his glance with a smile of
recognition. Mr. Gourlay, it surely is 1;
it must be you. / am so glad TO see
you"
"And to meet YOU" John said, with
a courteous bow. - have not the pleas.
ure of Knowing"
My name? | am Alice Russell still, ~
she said frankly.
AT tnat moment Roger appeared. For
an instant the blood folsook his rudy
face, while hot crimson 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 a revelation to John Gour-
lay He felt as if the world had suddenly
driitcd away from him, and he was lett
solitary in some unknown, infinite space.
But there was nothing of that in his voice
as 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
Russel's hotel, and in few moments he
found himself seated beside her in a
pleasant slttng.room overlooking the sea.
"Alice, " he said, plunging into the sub.
ieCt at once, 'do you remember CONVEX
sation you had with my brother a long
time ago."
Yes, | remember, Mr.. Gourlay," she
replied sadly.
" He made a request for me then which
it was not in your power TO grant; | am
come to make IA similar one for him now
Roger loves you, Alice. He has loved
you all those long, weary years, though
Won will at least believe / did not know
ii then"
Poor Roger Alice said, softly.
you care about him? You will
make him happy even at this al hour?
Tell me, Alice, that you owe 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, proudly poor Roger
You see | am too old for pretenses, Mr..
Gourlay, and / fear | am dying; there.
tore, | 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 at
f. ction's sake, make him happy. He
deserves it, and that is the only way
can ever help to repay the devotion of his
life"
al love him." Alice replied, simply, |
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" ne 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'
fered !"
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 me?'
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 Tor you.
She loves you--loves you, Roger, Good.
by, and may you both be happy
Late that evening when Roger Gouglay
returned home fun oC deep, Quiet glad
ness, he found his brother sitting in an
easv-chair near the window, apparently
asleep The full moon shone down on
his pale face, and showed a smile on his
lips, his hands were clasped on an open
book that rested on his knee. The atti-
tude was litel like, but at the very first
glance Roger felt that his brother was
dead The doctors said that he had
died of disease of the heart Perhaps
they were right More people die of that
malady than the world knows of.
Reaching the North Pole IN a Balloon.
Commander Cheyue, OF the British
navy, Is still endeavorlng TO carry out his
plan OF reaching the North Pole by means
of balloons A London committee, con
sisting of the Dean OF Westminster, the
Master Of the Temple, Dr.. Vaughan, the
Minister of Finance tor Canada and