Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-09-17

and Roger Gourlay were literally alone
in the world
As if in bitter mockery of their loss
and loneliness, Immediately after their
mothers death the brothers inherited a
small fortune. But it was too late for
John to go back to his studies, too late
for Roger to return to his piano. They
had fallen into the groove of business,
and John at least was seized with
feverish eagerness to turn his small
fortune into large one and become
wealthy. So they went into business on
their own account as Gourlay Brothers,
with the firm resolution Of retrieving the
position their father had lost, and very
few years saw them established in Whit
Ter street, and fairly ON the high road to
fortune. Then one quiet summer even
ing, as they sat over their dessert, John
opened his heart TO his brother and told
him of his hopes, dreams and ambitions
for the future.
"You will be surprised, and l trust
pleased to hear, Roger, that love Alice
Russell" he said, laying his hand on his
brothers arm; al can hardly remember
the time when she was not dearer to me
than all the world beside. The bitterest
part of our misfortune to me was that it
separated me from her; the only thing
that has sustained me through our long
struggle was the hope of some day win
ming her; nothing else can ever compen-
safe me for the ruin of all my hopes and
glorious ambitions. 1 once dreamed of
being famous, Roger; for her sake put
that behind me, and have grubbed for
gold like miser. We, Gourlay Broth
ers, are ON the high road TO fortune; /
may aspire to the hand of Alice nowI'
"Surely, john" and the younger
brothers voice was husky, and his hand
shook as he took up his glass; 81 drink
to your success"
"Thanks, brother. Ishould have told
tided in you, but feared troubling you
on my account; you would have seen
thousand shadows across my path, you
would have been more unhappy than l
was myself. And now / want you to
promise that it shall make no difference
between us. We shall be Gourlay Broth
ers still.n
Roger stretched his hand across the
table, and John grasped it heartily.
"Gourlay Brothers to the end of the
chapter, old fellow, and may YOU be as
happy as you deserve. God bless you,
john"
Johns face became a shade or two
paler with emotion, and he walked up
and down the room a few times; then he
stood behind his brothers chair.
Roger you will think me very weak,
very nervous, but dare not speak to
Alice myself. / could not endure a re-
fusal from her. have never even given
her the most distant hint of my feelings.
have not the slightest reason to sup
pose that she regards me as other than a
mere acquaintance, at most as Maude's
brother. Roger, we have always been
friends as well as brothers-standb by me
in this; you are less shy and more accus-
toned to women; see Alice for me, ask
her to be my wife,
"John, you're mad! You do not mean
itr'
81 do; it is my only chance. Plead
for my happiness, brother, as 1 would
plead for yours. / am a man of few
words, but feel deeply. A refusal from
her lips would Kill me; could bear it
from you"
"As you will, John; I'll do my best"
and Roger leaned his head on his hand
and shaded his face from the light, "rn
call on Alice tomorrow.
The next day was the longest of John
Gourlay's life-a bright, warm, happy
day, that made people even in the city
look glad and cheerful. He went about
his business as usual, ate his luncheon
and walked home leisurely. Roger was
standing at the window watching for
him, and he kept his back to him when
he entered the room.
"Well," John said, gently; "well,
Roger, have you seen her?"
"Yes, I've seen her." and Roger faced
round suddenly. John, old fellow, it s
no use"
Brotherr' and he lifted his hand as
if to ward off blow.
"It's no USE" Roger went on in q
hard voice. "She does not love you;
she loves some one else. Be man,
John, and bear it; for there's no hope" ="
One low, stitled groan, and then John
Gourlay wrung his brothers hand and
walked steadily out of the room. What
he suffered in the hours that followed no
one ever knew, and when he appeared
at the dinner-table he was calm and self
possessed, but something had either come
into his face orgone out of it that altered
him. But of the two Roger looked the
most unhappy. The blow had really
fallen most heavily on him.
"Jack, old fellow, we're Gourlay
Brothers now to the end Of the chapter, -
he said, hnsSily. - know you'll never
marry, and neither will l." and some
how John felt that Roger meant what he
said.
Twenty-Five years passed by, quar-
ter of a century of changes and chances,
and still the Gourlay Brothers held the
even tenor of their way. They were rich
beyond 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
September they were walking along the
Kings road at Brighton, whittier they
had gone for their annual holiday. Roger
entered a shop to purchase something,
and John stood outside, looking dream
lily at the passers-by. Suddenly he ad-
vanced a step as lady in an invalid
chair was wheeled by. CHANGING to