The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-29
A BROTHERS CRIME.
CHAPTER /.


CHAPTER l.
TsN the twilight two men walked together
by the seaside.
u Both were young, and there was a
curious elikeness between them, which,
though one was pale and wasted and the
other rudy with health, must have i'm
pressed itself upon any one who saw them
together.
Indeed, they were twin brothers, aud had
been SO alike in childhood that their own
mother had often mistaken one for the
other.
But it was FIVE years since they had met
before, and now only by chance at this sea-
side place, whittier Harry Hunter had come
for his health, and which Robert had sought
for other reasons.
You look WELL" Harry was saying, II
wish ]. had your strength and freshness, old
fellow"
y wish you had." said Robert BY Jove!
you O'Clock badly what has been the mat
ters"
''Oh, I was very near the borders last
winter. Pneumonia began it," said Harry
But Pm getting well fast, and uncle sent
me down here to recuperate. They II keep
my clerkship at the bank for me, and I've
nothing to complain Of. Oh, yes, Pm get
ting well, and am glad. for l hope to be a
very happy man, if L live"
u,
II am engaged to the dearest girl in the
world-the sw eetest and the prettiest." said
Harry. You must meet her some day.
Robert. You don't know how regret our
separation"
"Ahv' said Robert. sour uncle didn't,
however. Metaphericaly, he kicked me
out OF doors and took you 10 his heart. You
were the good, upright, respectable person.
was the.rascal. Well, l never could play
the hypocrite, and never tried. And tn is
.girl-.-when are you going to marry herP"
My wedding day will come in Christmas
week." said Harry. 81 have loved Lucy
a long While, but she was an heiress and 1
felt afraid of being misinterpreted. How
eyer, the dear girl is GLAD to share her fort
4ne with me, and she Is alone in the world.
she is deeply attached to me-. Besides. am
no papper, l have good position"
You are always in luck" said Robert
"FoI my part, the girls l admire-tnough.
by JOve! I've. no intention OF marrying
them-bave cost ME all 1 had. was at the
and left every halfpenny behind me. l
can't pay my bill. and l don't exactly know
what to do. There's the sea, of course, but
life is warm and pleasant thing. if only a
man can keep his pockets full. and death by
drowning. is cold and chilly and unpleasant
OIL suppose something will turn up-it
always does"
Evil elo help you, Roberto" asked Harry
at will save me-" said Robert.
ION, well, have that sum in my pocket. :"
said Harry, drawing forth a little roll OF
notes. ''And don't let me lose sight of you.
l can get Yen a good position s00n."
why, old fellow, you are awfully kind"
said Robert, taking the money; but in his
heart there was no gratitude.
He hated this brother who was able to
befriend him, who was respected and held
in high esteem, and was to marry pretty
heiress-all. as he said to himself, because
he had been willing to cringe to a hypocrit-
ical, canting CID man. and to lead Slow, sol
emD, respectable life.
However. lie was mistaken. Harry was
no toad-eafer.
He had been a better boy, and had won
his uncle's heart-that was all.
Robert, however, had always hated his
brother, and the. hate grew stronger as he
knew how he had brought himself into diff
.fculties.
They walked to the hotel together; Rob-
ert settled lis. bill, and from that. time I'M
til the day came for Harry's return to the
city had mo no Peennharyg difficulties;
same car. At certain spota considerable
stop was made, the passengers. for New
York dining and changing cars: at this
point.
The brothers took dinner together, and.
after the meal, walked about to view the
for some fine falls and rapids. -.
None of the other passengers availed them
selves OF the opportunity.
They stood together at last on rocky
Cliff 0verhanging the fall-quite alone to-
grther, not soul anywhere in sight.
1t was warm the brothers carried their
light overroatS upon their arms, and, find
ing q pleasant. seat which had been provided
for those who wished to rest at this point,
Robert laid his down beside him. and Harry
f.,lI ruA In. nv h,rala till 81
many things relating to Harry's engage
nent, and his business affairs. Robert was
interviewing him as though he desired to
write his biography. He was learning all
he could Of his affairs, and of Lucy and her
relations. The brothers voices were as
Harry-had gained flesh and color, IL would
have been difficult to know them apart.
4" What a c0mical thing that we should be
formed in the same mold as to person, and
SO different as to character" said Robert:
], such a bad fellow; you such good
onep
.'0h, Inever set up for saint" Harry
answered, "0nly l never cared SO much for
having racket as you did, Bob. Probably
IL is a matter of health. You have higher
spirit, and always have had"
Il wonder whether we write the same
hand yet ?" Robert said.
There's letter In my pocket" said
Harry; 'looK."
Robert drew from the breast pocket of his
brothers oyercuat an envelope that showed
its white corner above the edge of the
pocket. Then he took from his own card,
on which was memorandum: concerning
some races.
The hand seemed the same. He restored
the letter 10 its former place, with laugh,
and rising, went to tire edge of the cliff
what splendid view, Harry" he said.
Come here. you can't get the full effect
where you are"
;. Harry sprung to his feet. and stepped to
the spot indicated.
There said Robert, taking his brothers
behind the other, "look."
And as he spoke he exerted all his
strength, and gave Harry violent push.
The young man struggled, pitched heavily
forward, and vanished over the cliff.
CHAPTER II.
The falls were roaring below. they drowned
the sound of the cry he uttered, and though
Robert, lying along the cliff, peered long
into the dark water, he saw nothing. His
brother had been doubtless swept away
into the great whirlpool close at hand, and
nothing that was ever caught in its black
and boiling pot was ever brought to land
again.
Having satisfied himself of this, the MUIR
derer sat down, shivering as with cold and
pale as death upon the seat which his brother
had recently shared with him. But as the
moments passed on his terror vanished: His
dark deed was unknown to any but himself.
He had no reinOrse, and he was prepared TO
go OF with what he had begun.
His FIRST act was to fling his own overcoat
down the cliff into the water; the next to
take his brothers on his arm.
Then he once more drew from his pocket
the letter he had examined.
1t was addressed to Miss Lucy Arle. He
made o note of the direction upon it and
then examined the flap.
1t was lightly guInned and opened at n