The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-07-27

hand of Alice now"
Surely, John" and the younger bro
ther's voice was husky, and his hand
shook as he took up his glass; Il drink to
your success"
Thanks, brother. / should have told
you all this before. / should have confided
in you, but feared troubling you on my
account; you would have seen a thousand
shadows across my path, you would have
been more unhappy than / was myself.
And now l want you TO promise that it
shall make no difference. We shall be
Gourlay Brothers still"
Roger stretched his hand across the
table, and John grasped it heartily.
''Gourlay Brothers to the end of the chap
ter, old fellow, and may you be as happy
as you deserve. God bless you, John"
Johns face became a shade or two paler
with emotion and he walked up and down
the room few times then he stood be-
hind his brothers chair.
Roger, you will think me very weak,
very nervous, but / dare not speak to
Alice myself. ] could not endure a re-
fusal from her. / have never even given
her the most distant hint OF my feelings.
/ have not the slightest reason 10 suppose
that she regards ne as other than a mere
acquaintance, at most as Maude's brother.
Roger, we have always been friends as
you are less shy and more accustomed to
women; see Alice for me, ask her 10 be
my wife"
John, you're mad, You do not mean
its'
II do; it Is my only chance. Plead for
my happiness, brother, as | would plead
for yours, / am a man of few words. but
1 feel deeply. A refusal from her lips
would kill me; I could hear il from you"
AS you will, John; I'll do my best"
and Roger leaned his head on his hand,
and shaded his face from the light. IN
call on Alice tomorrow"
The next day WAS the longest OF John
Gourlay's life, a bright, warm, happy
day, that made people, even in the city,
look glad and cheerful He went about
his business as usual, ate his luncheon,
and walked home leisurely. Roger was
standing at the window watching for
him, and he kept his back TO him when he
entered the room.
"well"' John said gently, well, Roger,
have you seen her,'
'Yes, I've seen her" and Roger faced
round suddenly; John, old fellow, it's
no user'
Brother" and he lifted his hand as il
TO ward of a blow.
''lt's no use" Roger went on in hard
voice, "she does not love you. She loves
some one else. BE man, John, and bear
il, for there's no hope"
One low stified groan, and then John
GoUrlay wrUng his brothers hand and
walked steadily out of the room. What
he suffered in the hours that followed no
one ever knew, and when he appeared at
the dinner table he was calm aud self
possessed, but something had either come
into his face or gone out of it that altered
him. But OF the two Roger looked the
most unhappy. The blow had really
fallen most heavily on him.
Jack, old fellow, we're Gourlay Bro
theirs now TO the end of the chapter" he
said huskily. "Eknow you'll never marry,
and neither will !, - and somehow John
felt that Roger meant what he said.
twenty-five years passed by, a quarter
Of a century OF changes and chances, and
still the Gourlay Brothers held the even
tenor of their way. They were rich be-
yond their wishes or desires and not al
together unhappy in their solitary friend
ship. Alice Russell seemed TO have drifted
completely out of their lives; her name
was never mentioned, and whether she
was married or dead they did not know.
One morning, about the middle of Sep
tember, they were walking along the
Kings road, at Brighton, whittier they
had gone for their annual holiday Roger
entered a shop TO purchase something,
and John stood outside looking dreamily
at the passers-by. Suddenly he stared
and advanced n step, as a lady in an in
valid chair was wheeled by. CHANGING to
look up she met his glance with smile
Of recognition. Mr.. Gourlay, il surely
Is, IL must be you. ! am SO glad TO see
your
And to meet you John said, with
courteous bow. If have not the pleasure
OF knowing"
"My name-I am Alice Russell still,"
shesaid frankly. At that moment Roger
appeared. For an instant the blood for
sock his ruddy face, while hot crimson
| flush rose TO Alice's pale cheek as she tried
TO stammer out some words of greeting
Roger was no less confused. and the ex-
preston of both faces was 4 revelation to
John Gourlay. He felt as if the world had
suddenly drifted away from him and he
WAS left solitary in some unknown infinite
space But there was nothing of that in
his voice as he asked Alice for heraddress,
and permission to call upon her in the af-
ternoon; then taking his brother 10y the
arm he led him away, and they continued
their walk without exchanging u single
word about the strange encounter.
In the afternoon John called at Miss
found himself seated beside her in n pleas
ant sitting-room overlooking the sea
Alice" he said, plunging into the sub
ject at once, do you remember conver-
sation You had with my brother long
time ago."
"Yes, 1 remember, Mr.. Gourlay," she
said sadly.
HE made a request for me then which
IL was not in your power to grant; am
come TO make a similar one fo- him now
Roger loves you, Alice. He has loved you
all these long weary years, though you
will at least believe did not know 1t
them
Poor Rogerr' Alice said softly.
'sYou care about hims You will make
him happy even at this late hour? Tell
me, Alics, that you love my hrother'"
yes, Mr. Gourlay, 1 do. Why should
denyits / have loved him always, though
Ibid not know that he cared about me,
and If the little life that is lett me can
make him happier, / will devote il to him
gladly, proudly-pOor Roger! You see L
am too old for pretenses, Mr.. Gouriay,
and fear am dying; therefore tell you
all"
Owing. Alicey No, no, you will live
many years yet, hope, TO make my dear
brother happy-brave, loyal, great hearted
Roger. Let me send him TO you now,
and. Alice, for my old and long affections
sake, make him happy. He deserves 1t,
and that is the only way can ever help
to repay the devotion OF his life"
81 love him." Alice replied simply, Il
cannot do any more"
In their lodgings John Gourlay found
his brother pacing restlessly up and down
Roger, I've found out your secret and
hers" he said, laying both his hands on his
shoulders; loyal. faithful friend, go to
her; she loves you, sheis waiting for you"
"Poor Alicel how she must have suf-
feredr'
'How we all have suffered but it's
nearly over now, Roger-grief, pain, re-
gret. It's all clear and bright. Roger,