Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-06-29

recognized Horace's one rock ahead. his
moral weakness; and his goifather. Capt.
Sillicctes, used TO say that he carried
plenty Of canvas, but was short OF bal.
last That's what I am going to bs-his
ballast. The day before mother died
promised her faithfully that would take
her place as far a. was able, and must
keep my word"
l knew every sentence she had spoken
was distilled wisdom, and yet my very
heart and soul seemed to cry out against
this sacrifice Of our two lives. Knowing
well enough that I was beaten, yet put
forth one last faint plea, but without any
hope whatever for its success.
"And what about me, Cynthiaa" ask.
ed. still holding her hand in mine, 20
that she should not escape and leave the
question unanswered. "Have no place
at all among your unselfish schemes? Is
evcrybody's good and comfort to be
thought Of but mine? Am I the only
person for whom you have no considera-
tiony
She flushed again, with evident signs
Of distress, and tried to withdraw her
hand, but would not let her.
"You cannot compare yourself 10 moor
Horace" sho whispered, so low that !
had to bend my head to catch the an.
swer. II know all this Is hard on you,
Gerald, and you will never know how
sorry am to be tho cause Of trouble to
you; but I've thought II all out very
carefully, and have come to the conclu-
sion that my first duty at present Is to
my brother. Look at his position. Last
week he was at the university, with de-
cent allowance from his father; today he
has clcrkship In prospect, and years of
drrdgery before he can hope for any
measure of success. In this comparative
poverty he has no ono in the world to
stand by him but one well intentioned
but inexperienced woman. In choosing
between you how can refuse to stand
by him in his loneliness and disappoint-
mont? You have wealth, position, friends
and relations, while he'-
THAT is enoughr' interposed, shamed
out Of my seliishness for tho moment by
her great hearted generosity. "You are
right, Cynthia, as you always are. But,
IL l could have my choice, dear, would
give your brother all the wealth and
position in exchange for you, and think
1t the best bargain had ever made"
Her pale face lighted up radiantly at this.
"You've done the best stroke Of business
in your power for tho boy" I added
jokingly. "You'll SEQ at what a sur
prising rate he'll climb to tho tallest stool
In the counting house Of Quinton, Hill,
Craxhammer & Co. And then, as soon
as he's in receipt Of q sufficiently large
salary to support o wife, I shall
marry him of hand; and them
The last word left my lips In
tone Of triumph which there was no
installing, and she smiled in q manner
that was as good as a spoken assent.
"Well," said Jem, as we Joined tho
other group, in which Horace had been
holding forth to my mother and sister on
what he should have done at tho Anti
podes If he had been allowed to follow
his own ninclinations-"we Gerald, have
you been able to talk that obstinate girl
into n reasonable frame Of mind? Have
you converted her from this governessing
mania?"
eau contraire, sho has converted me,
Jemr
II should like to hit you," said Jem,
shaking her little brown fist close to
Cynthia's nose; and then, changing her
mind, she put her arms round my dar.
ling's neck and squeezed her tightly.
"You poor, pale, beautiful old thing"
she said, with an odd little catch in her
voice-"what an example you are to the
rest of us!'