The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-08-09

a." GU never told me OF this.
There was a reason; here is the
reason.
He opened the volume to the family
record. There was the record OF the
births OF our father and mother; their
marriage: the births of us two; and be-
tween Caleb's and mine, with a date
which showed the person to have been
three years younger than Caleb was the
name: Dennis Maytham. "
/ looked up in amazement
sour brother, Regy," said Caleb.
Then his strength left hitl; he
dropped into great chair, covered his
face and sobbed like woman. was
on the floor at his feet in an instant.
with my arm around him.
Tell me all, brother" | said.
an make it a short story. Regy-
and Dick there can be no more secrecy
about it now-but l can't bear much
more myself tonight. He was wild,
bad and maynard; he nearly broke
mothers heart, and at last father dis
owned him. This was soon after you
were born, Regy. think the sorrow
of it fastened fathers death; and it
has been the shadow on my life. This
afternoon, a poor wreck of a man, rag
ged and consumptive, stopped me on
the street and implored aims. looked
into his sunken eyes and saw-my
brother Dennis! | called carriage; |
took him to the hospital, and had him
washed, dressed and shaved. and called
the doctor. If it's anybody you are
interested in, Mr.. Maytham,' was his
decision, you have only to make him
comfortable for few days. Medicine
can do nothing for him. And then
l brought him home"
He could say no more. l pressed
his hand; and after We had sat in
silence for some moments, urged him
to 90 to bed, telling him that Mrs.
Wynn should provide for watching
| with Dennis, and in the morning we
would see him together.
II do need rest" he said, very
YEARLY. He kissed me and went up.
stairs. Neither Dick nor could find
words in which to say much to each
other just then about this tremendous
revelation; and as it naturally excluded
every other subject from our minds
we made the evening short one.
For what happened during the night
I am indebted to the account Of Mrs.
Wynn. l do not believe that Caleb
had been in bed at all; for about
eleven o'clock he went softly into the
room where his brother-our brother
was lying, and taking no notice al
all of the housekeeper, softly called his
name. Dennis was asleep, but the
voice awakened him. Caleb drew a
chair to the bedside, and laying his
face upon the pillow by the poor
wasted one, took hand in his own.
you're too good to me, Gale;
don't deserve it," said a husky,
whispered voice.
"Never mind about our deservings,
Den. You've as much right here as ]
have. In the morning you shall 60 all
over the old house again; and you shall
see Regy, who was only little thing
when-when you left us.
"You are very kind, brother; but
shall never leave this room till they
take me out 0 Caleb! it's terrible
record of sin and crime that have
made for myself. Can you forgive me?
Perhaps
eyes, Denny, gladly; and God will,
too, if you ask Him. But can you for
give me, Den?"
"You! for what?"
81 failed in my duty 20 you in those
old days when you began to be bad.
have realized it since, and it has haunt
ed me. Voices in the night have
awakened me with the cry-where Il
thy brotherp 1t seems to me now tina
| could have won you back, Denny, il
had tried. was careless, indifferen
about you. Mother asked me mor'
than once to look after you. and-ant
i did not. Forgive me, Den"
The weak, wasted form raised up IL
the bed; Caleb's hand was flung away,
and the husky voice poured forth ;
torrent of words.
"Cale, you don't know what it is
ask you to forgive. You do not know
that after wandering about and seein!
the inside of many prisons, l cam
back here, ten years ago. was reck
less, wicked, savage. l heard you ha'
every thing. l broke in here in tn
night, and rifled the drawer where faith
er used to keep money. You caugh
me at it; | fired at you, and escaped
l might have killed you; did not car
then. With this knowledge can yo
forgive me?"
81 knew it was you, Den, all tn
time"
"You did! How?"
. "Who else but you could know tina
money was kept in that drawer.
: knew your figure, too, Dennis; neve
doubted it was you. am glad tn
policemen didn't get you; wouldn
let them in; l sent them away. Poo
brother! indeed, did know you all tn
time. Why should not l forgive you
l am much to blame tor it ALL"
Their heads lay together on the pi
low again; each had an arm throw
over the other. Mrs. Wynn hear
their whispered voices for some mil
utes, but not their words. When the
had been silent for some time, she az
|. preached the bed. Caleb was fas
asleep; but Dennis--Dennis ha
awakened to another life.
1 began with Caleb; let me clos
with him. We were together som
happy years after this; so many, tn:
he held and played with each of m
: children. Others said that he aget
, but l could not see it; to me he ws
always the same handsome, mob
! brother, and surely, more faithful,
i more tender heart never beat in
mans bosom. ONLY Yesterday can