The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-07-01

Max. and I ALWAYS vii" ~ And from
that moment l felt that the way lay
straight and smooth before my brother.
and that even he himself could see no
shadow on it.
How distinctly, through long, dark
vista IF lonely years, do Isee the dainty,
white-clad figure of the dear, bright lit
tie friend who was my hostess on that
last night! How distinctly could at.
terward recall every word and smile of
hers, though never before had it been
pain to me to watch her and listen to
her as it was upon that birthday night.
CHAPTER II.
Frank and I walked home that night
very silently. think we had never be-
fore passed along the narrow, quaint
old streets, after an evening spent with
Lettuce, without talking of her, and of
the home she made so bright and hap
py. But when we entered our own silent
room we both hesitated, as if unwilling
to separate SO.
"Max," began Frank, at last, stoop-
ing down to push spill into the smold-
ering fire, s'this house seems dreary
enough to return to, even with you.
What will it seem, wonder, when you
are gomez"
eft depends on who shall live here
then, dear fellow,' I answered. "No
house where you and Lettuce live could
be 'dreary in any way"
I could see the scarlet rush into his
face, even before he lighted the gas.
Then he turned to me with joyous eyes,
and leaning on the chimney piece, asked
me laughingly when would come back
and prove that for myself.
81 will come-let me see-in about
twenty years perhaps"
"Oh, nonsense, Maxi" he cried, in
his quick earnestness, unconsciously
laying one hand upon my arm; ''you
will come for my wedding"
"For your wedding?"-I echoed the
simple words as if they had bewildered
me. "Frank-Frank, does she really
love you?''
"Why, Max, old fellow, never saw
you 80 nervous before. Are you afraid
that am deceiving myself, or that she
is deceiving me?"
emo; never afraid of that. You know
she loves you, Frank?"
eyes, Max; feel sure"
"Then I will come unless you marry
within ten years. time.''
Franks whistle of establishment broke
into hearty laugh. "a nice little wait
ing time you allow US, Max. We shall
certainly have had leisure to think it all
over"
Day after day, until the very last hour
came, had 1 shrunk from bidding fare
well to Lettuce. Then lust went to her,
as had gone many and many time
before; standing and chatting tidy in
the pretty room where we had often been
so gay together.
sIf Frank is to drive here for you in
time to catch the express, you allow US
a very short time, indeed" said Mr..
Oldfield.
"And yet it is a long goodbye" add
ed Lettuce, quite lightly. "You are not
coming home for long, long time, are
you, MAXI"
"Frank and 1 have made an impor-
tant arrangement about that" l an
swered, trying to jest, because fancied
she would understand what he had ask
ed me to do. 81 am going to stay ten
wears unless he sends for me.'
eff he does not send for you, you pre-
fer staying out there?"
eyes. What prospect is there of any
one else wishing for me?''
81 suppose none," she answered,
quietly, ''as you say so; but we shall all
be glad to see you when you return. Not
that you will care for that either, for you
care for nothing, you know, except for
tunizing your life.''
Her words, in their quiet, simple scorn,
stabbed me to the heart.
"That is wide word, Lettice," I
said, ''and word which even yet I have
not fathcmed.
"But you expect to do so in Mel
bourne?''
81 hope So"
With an odd little laugh she changed
the subject, and very soon Frank drove
up to the gate. Mr.. Oldfeld and Amy
went out, and Lettuce and I followed
more slowly. She fingered q minute un-
der the bare old lime-tree, with the win
ter sunshine on her bright young face,
and I, looking down upon her, knew
that this picture would dwell in my heart
through all my lonely life.
Her jesting scorn was all gone now ;
her eyes were only little puzzled, and
a little sad.
"You will be quite happy, Max" she
said, "with that happiness which makes
others happy, too.
"Tell me how, Lettice," I cried, the
strong and passionate love of my heart
trembling in my voice. "Ten me how
to win this happiness"
81 can not" she answered, softly.
81 can not teach you what you know SO
we'll"
From the gate I looked back wistfully
to where she still stood under the leaf
less branches, and she smiled one bright,
quick smile. Then she ran in.
I sat down beside Frank, and Amy,
Lettice's little sister, sprang up and gave
me, with tear-filled eyes, the only kiss
among all my sad good-byes.
Later on, in the frosty winter morn
ing, we two brothers, who had been to-
gether all our lives, parted on the deck
of the great waiting vessel, with only a
few broken words, and one long, close,
lingering hand-grasp.