The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-11-04


bribery as affording him a possible
means of escape did not surprise Chal-
mers more than the ease with which he
seemed to have dropped into prison ways
and expressions. Was this a proof that
the governor was right when he said the
place was soul destroying? Would he
have lowered his standard SO readily
under the same conditions? He looked
at his brother again more closely. There
was certainly q lack of character in the
expression of the mouth and chin. Yet
it had always been said that the two
were strangely alike. AS boys, notwith-
standing the difference in their ages.
they had often been mistaken for one
another.
81 don't believe that is the pest way"
he said finally, as though he had been
rejecting on his brothers suggestion.
Its the only way, tell you," an
swered the other impatiently. 81 have
been here long enough to see that. But
if you mind the money!
81 don't mind the money; think you
know that am ready to spend my
last dollar to help you out Of this, and
then we can begin life again together.
Perhaps if we had kept closer together
this would not have happened"
IL don't know; guess l wasn't cut
out to walk quite as straight as you"
.eturned the other carelessly.
"Well, we won't talk Of the past. Let
1s zee what we can do for the future"
"If You are going to do anything,
hope it will be soon. can't stay here
forever. am tired enough of the place
now."
II must have time to think. There
must be some way. Perhaps shall try
the board of pardons. At any rate
shall not desert you; will be here
again soon."
"You will find there is but one way.
Money Is the only key that will unlock
this place"
They were standing up now, and Chal-
mers noticed that they were just the
same height and seemed to have about
the same spread of chest and Shoulders
Again he wondered If they would still
look alike in that dress, and both closely
shaven.
And this thought took root and grew.
He had had his chance at life, and had
made precious little of it, Why not give
the chance now, such as remained of it,
to George, and let him try it overa There
was no reason why this could not bs
done; it would be simple enough to ar
range the details, and though he had
tried to encourage George with the hope
thnt he could yet secure his release, he
could see no other way in which 1t could
be accomplished.
With Chalmers to think was to plan,
and to plan was to act. He made hasty
journey to New York and put his affairs
there into necessary shape. Then IT,
Cleveland, and made certain that his
compact with Laura Leonard had been
carried out. Then he went to see Lima
Tenant again.
Il can do nothing" he said, in answer
to her look of inquiry. 81 shall go away
and wait until his term is out. Then
perhaps can help him."
II had not expected much" she an
Rwered II felt how difficult it would
be. But am glad you have tried, and
am sorry that you are going away.
had hoped you would remain here,
where l should see you sometimes. 1t
will be a long while to watt"
For moment his determination wa
vered. If he remained beside her, what
opportunities might not time bring?
This thought had required to him again
and again. 1t would not stay down,
and the fear that he might yield to it
in the end made him only the more de-
termined in his plan. He would make
it impossible to be near her, impossible
that he should do nything-however
much he might be tempted through
these long years-to lessen Georges
'chaRce" in any way. IN these years
love might die and love be born again.
Without effort or the exercise of voli-
ton on his part; by only remaining near
her; by doing the offices that friend
might; by steadfast but unobtrusive de-
votion, might not a change be wrought
And if it were thus wrought would he
not have been unfaithful to his brothers
cause? Would he not be a supplanter?
With other men the temptation might
have been strong, but to him it was not
so. For if under such circumstances
her love came to him 1t would not be
satisfying, not having been fairly won
| in fair field. He would take no ad
vantage of her nor of him-that other
who had won her love from him before.
And so he answered her gently, as
though speaking to child:
"It will not be so long. You are both
young yet. You will still be young when
he comes back"
"Yes; you are not very old yet your
self" She smiled at him sadly as she
went on; "You are not so old as we
shall he then, and you look so much like
George tonight-as he did when he was
a boy. Why!" she cried, with little
start of surprise, II did not notice be-
fore; you have had your beard and mus
tache taken off. You do look SO much
like George"
After this they naturally fell into
quiet, friendly talk of old times-when
they had been just three friends together
and keeping away from sad or danger
GUS topics, they talked ON until Chalmers
felt more at home with her than he had
with any woman for years. Less like
a wanderer he felt-and more as if life
might yet have some purpose in it-than
he had since that long ago time when
Lima Tenant had said that she cared
more for his brother than for him. Yet
now, just as there was beginning to be
value in life-in this life-again, he was