The Irish standard., 1889-04-13
NEARLY A TRAGEDY.
Suffering from the Misdeeds OF a
Twin Brother.

k>EuoIAUE !Iolu GlO AAAoS@SOSAtS ~. ~
Twin Brother.
sJust one more errand, ana then ho1ne!"
IT was a careless speech enough, ana
Sophie }Viltbank's voice was Indifferent Iii
tone, but her eyes, large dark eyes full CT
expression, scanned her cOmpanlon's face
closely.
She kuew well that this one last errand
was the only aim and object OF that drive,
though they had visited many stores and
purchased quantities OF goods.
She hored 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-drcaming apparently, looking
cut upon the village streets. as the carriage
drove toward the suburbs. So Sophie tried
again.
care you very tired2" she asked.
s.No, indeed! was thinking Of Ernest-'
Here was an opening, with ayengeancs.
GOT Mr. Copeland! He will be back
soon?"
~ 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 tor
mn. For" with shy, pretty blush,
"7ou know Mr. Ernest Copeland is not very
rich.''
ESQ have heard. Gracie," and Sophe's
voice trembled, lido you love him very
much?"
sWhy, of course de- the blue eyes now
very wide open. "Are we not TO be mar
ried i'll Septemoer2''
ssEut-if--an thing should prevent"
"What can happen? 1t is August now
Then the carriage stopped.
sin a. moment, john" Miss Sophie said
nua John stood aside. But Sophie, laying
one little gloved hand upon Grace's, said
earnestly: i;
"Grace, YOU know that love you, Cont
yuu9''
"Yes, know it. Why, Sophie, what ails
youp'
t:You know would rather hurt myself
aban hurt you:''
Il believe you would. What is it?''
She was trembling then, and all the pref
tv pink flush faded from her lovely face,
for Epohie's eyes were misty. her lips qlly-
eriug.
"Gor1le and see," Sophie said. "And,
oh, darling, forgive me- that must show
you1'
She sprang out of the carriage, and Grace
followed her Two pretty maidens they
were, the daughter and tho niece Of the
great mill -oWuer, Joseph Wiltbank. Grace
was his only Child, Sophie, the orphaned,
peuniless Child of his brother.
israce's lover lived in the great city, where
She cousins often spent some OF the winter
months with their aunt. in fashonaDle
ooarding-house In one Of the informal social
gatherings, to which they were invited,
Grace had met Ernest.
And Sophie, heart whole, loving Grace as
yet above any one else on earth, thought OF
il all as she led the way across tiny gar
Sen to q mean little cottage, where aWomssn
stood in the doorway, holding some sewing
III her hand Two boys. Of three aud ave,
were playing in the garden.
"lood afternoon, Mrs Copeland,' SOPHIE
said, very quietly, but watching Grace brace
herself as she heard the name. ''ls the
sewing done?"
syen, no, miss, not all Of it. ! have two
skirts done"
81 promised, to bring my cousin 10 see II
she had any work you could do
.Walk in,n Mrs. Copeland said
And Grace, following Sophie, entered the
little parlor. a cry rose 10 her lips, out
she said, hastily:
ss1 sprained my foot" and sat down, Just
as Soph1e prepared to catch her ii she fell.
She could still see over the mantelpiece q
erayon head Of Ernest CQpelandl
She saw that Sophie meant to draw the
Uo,nan's attention from herself.
ST t.niuk you told me you were not g. wild
,w,' Sophie said.
4'No, miss. My husband deserted me-
was q poor girl, without education, and hs
vgas IL gentleman. But believed IN his love
and we were very happy till last winter
Then he changed, and one day he gave NE
some money to keep for him, quite sum
and went away. He never came back, ou'
no wrote to me never to expect to see him
again. The money lasted till now, but it is
gone. hoped could set work at the mill
and it's cheaper living III the country; SO
can,e here. But I'm not strong enough fo1
Shs mill work, and it does not bring enough
to pay for some one to watch tho children
SO put out that sign" pointing to neal
beard on which was painted the legend:
.''' '.'' '''''''
Mrs. COPELAND, Plain Seecsny.