The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-07-03
Select Story.
A BROTHERS SACRIFICE.

Many years ago L had friend, hennetn
Lambert He was younger than myself,
at that time five or six and twenty, full of
aspirations for better, purer existence
than the life we lead.
His day dream, cherished for long
time, was to leave society, and choosing
some retired spot, live there alone with
nature, in study and contemplation.
"Talk," his friends called it when they
heard of it. But Kenneth through all his
work-and he was no idler-retained the
notion of this plan. At last an unexpect-
ed legacy enabled him to leave the bar and
purchase the chosen site for his new home.
1t was ruined chapel on the side of
moor, place he had known all his life.
Of the wayside chapel nothing was left but
an archway. Behind this he had new walls
built, dividing the house into two rooms,
one over the other When all was COM
pleted, he went there. Some people, [
know, thought him mad; his sisters laughed,
saying he would soon be tired of his scheme
1 believed in him. would gladly have
Joined him, but a man with wife and
child is not free agent. He can not re-
tire into life of contemplation, however
much he may wish it.
1 went to see Kenneth in his new home.
The place was almost inaccessible; had not
Kenneth met me on the hilltop and shown
me the way over moor and moss should
never have found it. The chapel was in
a copse, wild stream brawled by it. The
oak, alder, and holly were restrained by a
fence from encroaching on the chapel, and
marsh plants thrust their stems through
the bars. The nearest house was farm
half a mile away. Kenneth's bedroom
was simple, his sitting-room furnished In
perfect taste. On the walls some fine etch-
ings, plaster relief whence smiled the
homely face of Socrates, on bracket an
image of Buddha. Between these was an
engraving of Dore's Vale of Tears. Books,
too, there were in plenty, and the fox ter
rier-such were Kenneth's companions.
sand nature" he said when | made this
remark.
"And here it is that you will stay, in
peace and quiet" said, "until your mis-
sion sends you forth"
"Peace and quiet, he answered, smiling;
''no, those are not for me. l have pre-
sentiment that this ideal life will not last
long. I shall marry"
| looked incredulously at him. He
showed me his hand. "Itis written here"
he said; ~ see it only too plainly. Far as
it is from my desire, it is fated."
For more than six months heard moth
ing of Kenneth We went for the winter
to Torremouth, and my wife, and to our
surprise and pleasure found the Lamberts
had the house next our own. We.had a
fiat, and on the fiat below US lived Mrs.
Vernay. Mrs. Yernay was the belle of
Torremouth, and justly, never saw any
woman so beautiful, never shall again see
such face. She was tall and slight, with
a fair skin, blue eyes shaded with dark
lashes, and her shapely head crowned with
really golden hair. No art was there, it
was all nature, nature in her utmost per-
lection. She was young, a widow, said to
be enormously rich, but had she been a
beggar maid we all should have worshipped
her Young, old, single, married, there
were none but paid homage at her shrine.
Frank Lambert was badly bitten by her
charms. He was two-and-twenty, home
for his long leave. Mrs. Vernay encour-
aged him more than any of the others, per-
haps being such boy she looked on him
as a safe game know that she stole his
heart with the first glance of her violet
eyes, and that he has never recovered from
her influence.
We were sitting together one afternoon
in the Lamberts' drawing-room when Ken
meth walked in. Torremouth was not
more than ten miles from his retreat, and
he had walked over, not to pay his mother
passing visit, but to stay if she would
have him.
Did any mother ever refuse to receive
her eldest son? How the girls laughed at
him declaring their prophecies true and
saying he was weary of solitude. l felt a
little surprised at him. Only one person
preserved her faith in him, this was Grace
Cheslyn, the girls friend, almost like anoth-
er sister. She was staying with them, and
upheld Kenneth whatever we might say.
Mrs. Vernay dined that night with the
Lamberts, coming III like some beautiful
being from another world, jewels glinting in
her dress and in her hair snake that gilt
tered with diamonds and rubies.
We all came and paid court to her.
Kenneth included. She looked with in
terest at him, saying:
"Ahl The hermit brother. have so
wanted to see you. Have you left your
seclusion ~
''Yes, we all knew he would" quoth
Marie Lambert "The cold weather on
that moor could not be endured
"My sister is mistaken" said Kenneth;
II left for other reasons, and did not par
ticularly like coming away from my soli-
tude."