Wichita eagle., 1889-03-21
NEARLY A TRAGEDY.
Suffering from the Misdeeds of a
Twin Brother.

u Was q CdTtlSSS speech enough, &lQ
Sophie Wltbank's voice was Indifferent II
tone, but her eyes, large dark eyes full Of
expression, scanned her companions face
closely.
She knew well that this one last errand
was the only aim and object of that drive,
though they had visited many stores and
purchased quan titles of goods.
She hoped Grace would ask her where
they were going, help her to draw down a
blow upon her COUSINS heart, that she must
give, and which she would yet have given
her own life almost to avert. But Grace
was day-dreaming apparently, looking
out upon the village streets, as the carriage
drove toward the suburbs. So Sophie tried
again.
"Are you very tired!'' she asked.
'No, indeed was thinking of Ernest"
Here was an opening, with avengeance.
"Of Mr.. Copeland he will be back
soonP'
Il do not know. HIS brother is dying.
Who can tell how soon or how late he may
come. Father heard in the city that Mr.
Gerard Copeland is very rich. Perhaps
Ernest may have business to arrange for
HIM For" with a shy, pretty blush,
you know Mr. Ernest Copeland is not very
rich"
$50 have heard Gracie," and Sophie's
voice trembled, ''do you love him very
muchs''
"Why, of course l d." the blue eyes now
very wide open. "Are we not 10 be mar
ried In Septemberl'
"But-if-any thing should prevent"
"What can happenl 1t is August now"
Then the carnage stopped.
ain a moment, John,'' Miss Sophie said,
and John stood aside. But Sophie, laying
one little gloved hand upon Grace's, said,
earnestly:
''Grace, you know that 1 love you, don't
youi'
'"Yes, know it. Why, Sophie, what ais
your
"You know would rather hurt myself
than hurt youf
Il believe you would What is it?''
She was trembling then, and all the pref
ty pink flush faded from her lovely face,
for Spohie,s eyes were misty, her lips quiv
ering.
"Come and see," Sophie said. "And,
oh, darling, forgive me that l must show
your @-.-.
She sprang out of the carriage, and Grace
followed her. Two pretty maidens they
were, the daughter and the niece of the
great mill-owner, Joseph Wiltbank. Grace
WAS his only child, Sophie, the orphaned,
penniless child of his brother.
Grace's lover lived in the great city, where
the cousins often spent some of the winter
months with their aunt, IN fashionable
boarding house In one of the informal social
gatherings, to which they were invited,
Grace had met Ernest
And Sophie, heart-wbole, loving Grace as
get above any one else on earth, thought OF
1t all as she led the way across tiny gar
den to mean little cottage, where woman
stood IN the doorway, holding some sewing
iu her hand Two boys, of three and five,
were playing in the garden.
GOOD afternoon, Mrs. Copeland" Sophie
said, very quietly, but watching Grace brace
herself as she heard the name. is the
sewing doneP'
well, no, miss, not all of it. have two
skirts done"
Il promised to bring my cousin to see if
she had any work you could do"
Walk in" Mrs. Copeland said.
And Grace, following Sophie, entered the
little parlor. A cry rose to her lips, but
she said, hastily:
II sprained nv footr' and sat down, just
as Sophie prepared to catch her If she fell.
She could still see over the mantel-piece
CTaFOu nedu ol Nok'Sieliu4
She saw that Sophie meant to draw the
woman's attention from herself.
IL think you told me you were not a wild
pw," Sophie said
NO, miss. Ny husband deserted me. l
was q poor girl, without education, and he
was gentleman. But believed in his love
and we were very happy till last winter.
Then he changed, and one day he gave me
some money 10 keep for him, quite sum,
and went away. He never came back, but
he wrote 10 me never to expect to see him
again. The money lasted till now, but - Is
gone hoped I could get work AZ the mill,
and it's cheaper living in the country; so
came here. But I'm not strong enough for
the mill work, and it does not bring enough
to pay for some one TO watch the children;
so l put out that sign" pointing TO neat
board on which was painted the legend:
'.-- $3.50: