Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-05-05

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she was very quiet The noon train
came, however, and he was not there.
The college hall was crowded in the
afternoon, even the campus was dotted
with gay groups to hear the addresses
of the graduating class. But still no
Captain Douglas
My heart beat high with anxiety.
glanced along the row OF dignitaries
How they would shrink into insignifi.
canoe before my brothers splendid fig.
ure in his uniform. lie was every inch
! a man.
My turn came. / was the last speak
er. / was well known to the most OF
the audience, as had been long time
IN the college. The applause, as / be-
gan and ended was vehement, but !
scarcely heard it. A train had arrived
just before / had mounted the rostrum.
Surely he was in it, Surely he would
claim me now before them all
| stepped down when | had finished
and took my place in the class to re-
ceive my diploma.
1t was given. There was short
prayer, and all was over. Carrying the
roll Of parchment in my hand proudly
as if it had been marshal's baton, /
went out, with Jenny clinging to my
arm, to the campus, crowded with my
friends.
Leaning against the fence was bloat-
ed, biear-eyed man, whose worn clothes
showed that he had walked long way.
Two of the professors were talking to-
gether behind the pillar by which |
stood
eyes, that is he" said one. Gone
quite to the dogs. Rum rum But
he had one redeeming trait. For nine
years he has sent his pay to support
this boy and girl, and has lived himself
on mere pittance of his pay.
r But they never saw him. What in
duced him to sacrifice himself in that
way"
"They We're all he had The only
drops Of his blood in the world ran in
their veins. The poor wretch has new
er had anybody to care for him, and
perhaps he thought those children
might have some real affection for him,
ruined as he Is by his appetite for
drink"
stood stunned and dumb-I-I =
1t vast was my brother, my hero,
that they meant.
At that moment the man came for
ward, trembling He had not drank
that day, and was unsteady from ex-
element and the want of liquor. "Rob-
ert !" He held out his hands appeal
ingly. Il am your brother Douglas y
| made no answer.
glanced around in deadly terror lest
some one should hear him. They had
all heard.
Then looked him full in the eyes.
This man is mad p / said, deliber
ately. you are nothing to me-noth-
ing | can own no relationship with
such as you %
He staggered back as if he had been
shot
Great God ~ he muttered. II did
not expect this But-I-have-de-
served it ~
There was sudden rush and sob
bing cry, and Jenny had both her arms
around his neck. Douglas Brother
Douglas % she cried. II have you at
last % Then she drew back, with one
arm about him, and turning to a party
of her friends who stood near, said
with calm dignity
"ThiS is. brother Douglas. owe
everything | am and have in the world
to him. You will excuse me if ! go
with him now"
She chung to his arm and led him
| away.
Let me gow he said, struggling to
withdraw from her. "Let me 60 back
and die in the gutter, It's the only
place for me {"
Il will never let you go !" cried Jen-
ny, paSsionately.
Look at those people, how they
stare at you walking with drunken
beggarn
'These people " said Jenny steadily,
| keeping her hold of him, "knOw but
your one fault | know you for the
noble, generous, brave man you are,
brother. Let lis go away from here. |
love you. We viii make a home for
each other
She led him as weak as child, to his
hotel. And in spite of my remon-
strances she left town with him next
day. | could not overcome the feeling
of disappointment and of outraged
| pride. 1t was worse than foolish-it
was wicked Nevertheless, left them,
secured a position as clerk, and worked
my own way. acted in short like an
ungrateful coward.
When | found Jenny persisted in re-
naming with him, | ceased to write
to her. The work she began that day
she never gave up. She did make Il