The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-12

self Susy's thought of, and tried to
fancy hundreds of times, for I'd never
had letter from her. I knew itwould
be delicate and pretty, and like my
beautiful snow drop.
Well, well, fancies may do very well,
but they will not feed hungry heart.
Day after day passed by and no letters.
My soul grew sick. | made all sorts of
excuses for them. imagined all sorts
of delays. But the long, dreary days
went by with leaden feet, and not a
word came to the wanderer from his
loved ones.
grew morbid and bitter, and at last
l wrote TO an acquaintance in San
Francisco. asking for tidings of my
brother and my wife. The friend was
not so neglectful as the wife and broth
err Soon-too soon-I received reply.
l can see it now in letters of fire.
"MY DEAR f. HOWL have made inquiries
as you requested, about your wife and brother
and can only find that taey disappeared from
they were going Ttsf ss=te"3 at that time 10
be- in possession of plenty of money,
What more the letter contained L
never knew; that much was burned into
my brain, and at that point | lost my
self. They say | was raving maniac.
Perhaps so; don't know. | only know
found myself an old man. blasted be-
fore my time, like tree struck by light
ming.
Weeks. months, years, dragged on. L
scarcely knew they passed Mechani-
cally L worked o. Fortune. no longer
sought, showered gold on me. cared
not for it, but instinct prevented me
from throwing it away. Gambling was
..Nfo NJ e.,
dissipation lured me. l was an old man
at thirty. L only worked and thought,
and lived over the old days-and my
one brief day of unelouded joy!
! never cursed them. The hurt was
too sharp and too deep for curses. From
the depih of my torn heart l pitied
them.
Well, twenty years rolled on, and L
had got to be forty years old, feeling
and looking more like sixty-five, bent
and stiff and gray-haired. One day in
my wandcrings came on travelling
party of miners. bound to the gold re-
gions. i joined them. frontier fashion,
and was soon seated at their fire, ex-
changing news with the Indians and
those from the States. l CHANGED to
mention my name.
We've got namesake of yours in
camp said one fellow.
''Have you? 1t isn't common
name," replied carelessly.
mo, and there's where it's odd,''
said he. Beside, you somehow re-
mind me of him, though you're much
older than he can be. By the way, there
he comes"
something, KNEW not what,
seemed to shoot through me. l rose,
and recognized Robert, my brother Ny
heart gave one bound. l forgot my
wrongs. saw only my dear other self,
the beloved companion of my boyhood's
days. l sprang forward eagerly.
Robert, dear old boy, is it youP"
He looked at me increduously.
Ralph, it can't be your
at is" l cried; and-well, | don't
know as | am ashamed of i'll embrace
ed him like schoolgirl and wept.
And so did he, poor fellow, though
he could hardly believe the wrecked old
man was his brother. But what struck
me even then as strange was that he
did not shrink from me, nor act as
though he had injured me.
Robert" 1 said. when we were
alone and calmer, 1--WE forgiven You
long ago. We won't speak of the past.
Let me be happy in the bliss of seeing
you once more. l will never come round
to trouble you brother"
Forgive me?" he said inquiringly,
II don't understand. You'll never
trouble me and we won't speak of the
past? Why didn't you write to US? Your
poor wife,
do not speak of her, Robertr' I in |
terrupted in sudden agony. 81 can bear
else-spare me thatr'
but, Ralph, there's something very
strange here. Why didn't YOU let us
bear from youa Why can't speak of |
posed. why did you desert her?''
Desert her-my wife! My Godr'
and fairly laughed.
A horrible laugh, dare say, for Rob-
srt turned pale. could see he thought
was mad. resolved to control myself,
md, since we must have it out, to talk
t over. So after turn or two, came
pack and stood by him.
snow, Robert, if there is any mistake
here, let us understand it at once.
eft you, twenty years ago, in charge of
ny wife,
You did, and-I'
"And YOU" interrupted, '.took the
)est care of her-and did not hear from
ne and she grew tired of waiting and
owing shadow. and You grew to love
ler."
.'Holdp' he shouted, his eyes blazing.
who told you thatP''
4 went on, not needing him.
"And she grew faint and tired; she
aw your love and returned it,
Robert seized my arm as though he
would murder me.