Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-07-28
Alice's pale cheek as she tried to stammer

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
drifted away from him, and he was left
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 cali 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 sltting-room overlooking the sea-
"Alice," he said, plunging into the sub.
ject at once, "do you remember a CONVEX
sation you had with my brother long
time ago."
eyes, remember, Mr.. Gorrlay," 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 those long, weary years, though
you will at least believe did not know
it then"
"Poor Rogerl" 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, do. Why should
l 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, 1 will devote
it to him gladly, proudly poor Roger!
You see am too old for pretenses, Mr..
Gourlay, and I fear l am dying; there
fore, tell you ALL"
IA" Dying, Alice? No, no! you will live
many years yet l 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 af
fection's sake, make him happy. He
deserves it, and that is the only way /
can ever help to repay the devotion of his
life"
ct 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 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 me2"
''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
by, and may you both be happy"
Late that evening when Roger Gourlay
returned home full of deep, quiet glad
ness, 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 atti-
tude was life.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.