Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-01-11
TAKEN BY Siege.

Look at you and me. No one would
ever take us for brothers; we are as I'M
like in feature as we are in character.
You know your duty, old fellow, and
you do it like man; know mine some
times, God help me, but l can't do it.
When die, Rush, want you TO have
me examined. You'll find my heart in
the right place; but when you examine
my head you won't find my moral quail
ties what they ought to be. Then you'll
forgive me for lots of things, won't you?
You'll say, Poor fellow! His heart was
all right if his will wasn't as strong as
ours; we mustn't be too hard on him.
You'll say all this, won't you, Rush?'
And John leaned across the table and
seized his brothers hand with a tight
grip, and gazed with an expression of
intense longing into his face.
Rush knew, of course, that he was
flushed with wine, and he supposed that
all this talk was merely the result Of his
potations. To humor him, and because
he really loved him, he replied:
"Have no fear on that score, John; we
know too well what warm heart you
carry about with you to be hard on you
for a misstep."
He supposed his brother alluded to his
increasing habit of drinking.
"Thank you, old man; thank you more
than words can tell I'm nervous to-
night. You mustn't mind me; another
pony of brandy will set me all right"
And, suiting the action to the word, he
drank one down without winking.
Suppose we walk around Madison
square," he resumed. "My head is on
fire: these August nights are beautifully
cool; perhaps the air will help it."
On their way out they met Mortimer
in the hall. He looked dogged and sui
len. Seeing John, he beckoned him
aside and exchanged few whispered
words with him. At something he said
John started back as though he were
going to fall, but he clutched the railing
of the staircase and recovered himself
He looked so frightfully- ill when he re
Joined Rush that the latter proposed that
they should go home at once; but John
said there was nothing the matter with
him-he only needed the fresh air out
under the trees of the square.
Mortimer seemed to have something
unpleasant to tell you," said Rush, as
they seated themselves on park bench.
II wish, John. that If you have any
business troubles you would confide in
me; might help you"
"Thank you, Rush, for your kind offer;
but it's nothing-a mere nothing; just a
fluctuation in mining stocks that may
hurt us, that's all Tomorrow, for all
we can tell, they may look better than
ever. It's a worrying business. Take
my advice, Rush, and keep out Of stocks
particularly mining stocks"
John lighted cigar, puffed it once OF
twice, and threw it away. Then he sat
for several minutes with his hat off, en-
gagged in his old trick of pulling his hair
over his forehead. Jumping to his feet
suddenly, he took his brother by the
arm.
"Come along. Rush; I've kept you uI
late enough; it must be after o'clock
I'll walk down to your lodgings with
you."
They walked the whole distance in si
lence, which was broken by John when
they reached the door of the house. He
took Rushs hand, and holding it tightly
said: GOOD night, Rush; pleasant
dreams" Then, suddenly, "We've al
ways been good friends, haven't we
Rush? We've never quarreled, have we
Philip and have had little fights once
in while; but you and |, Rush, were
always good friends. When | die IN
depend upon you to defend me against
my enemies; you'll do that. won't you
Rush? You'll see that have shred OF
character left-just enough to bury
me in."
~ wish you'd stop talking about dy.
ing, John; you'll live to put monument
over all our graves-a big, hearty fellow
like you" And Rush tried to laugh; but
his brothers manner, even more than
his words, impressed him unpleasantly,
and he couldn't shake off the impression.
1t hung over him all that night, and al
the next day. and long afterwards.