The Dickinson press., 1892-03-19
first National Bank Bui|dinQ.

his inability to carry out his former wishes in |
regard to marrying your daughter" and she
glarcd %ficrccly at the meek little widow.
DO understand that your brother wishes
itT' asked the widow, at length.
YES" shortly, from Miss Van Stove.
THAT is sufficient, then. There is no ncccs-
sity for further discussion" and she bowed
Miss Van Steve out with the air of n princess.
When the brother returned his first act was to
call upon his afiianced. He was met, at the
door, by the widow, who gently and firmly re-
fused him entrance. "Your own conscience
should tell you the reason she said. in answer
to his angry questioning. So he went away.
Miss Van Steve was highly elated. Her
stern, M-omoncd visagc was often disfigured by
a CHASTITY smile. She pridcd herself upon her
fertility of expcdient. Her playful actions cx-
cited tho suspicious of her respondent brother,
and he wondered whether she had not had
something to do with his downfall. As he could
open no communication with Mrs. Copehart, the
widow, he resolved to force Miss Van Steve to a
confession. He did it in this wise:
Ono morning he arose, saddled his favorite
horse, and made known his intention to ride out
to Euswcll, about ten miles away. All day long
he remained away, and at eight o'clock in the
evening he was still absent.
Miss Van Steve began to grow uneasy. AT
lcngth she heard the heavy tread of several per-
sons upon the gravel walk'without. She rushed
to the door, opened it, and saw, upon Il rough,
pine door, the limp form of her adored step
brother, who was, apparently, inscnsiblo.
Hurried explanations followed; his horse had
bolted and thrown him heavily to the ground.
where he had been found by Il farm hand, who
recognized him and conveyed him home. A
physician had been and was in at
tendance.
When tho step-brothcr rcgaincd conscious
ness, ho called, family, for Miss Van Steve.
Il do not expect to live through this, Ara
bella" he said, ''and before 1 die, l wouldllike
to see Miss Copehart and explain to her that 1
was unaware of having injured hcr." Here
Miss Van Steve broke Town and confessed
everything. DO not cry, Arabclla," said the
injured man, family, II forgive you, but you
must explain matters to Miss Copehart and
bring her here.'
Miss Van Steve left the room, and tho injured
one turned, savagely, to tho physician, who had
been an old college chum: "Say, Bert, lie said
angrily, eff you don't keep that face of yours
straight, you'll blow the whole thing. Put n
handkerchief i'll your mouth-anything, but
stop that Internal %giggle.'
Cant help it," returned he, addressed as
Bert, those faint whispers and that CHASTITY,
forgiving tone would convulsc anyone"
Miss Van Steve returned, at length, accom-
panied by Miss Copehart. II have explained
everything" she whispered to the sufferer, ()
land now I will leave you alonc.'
She fingered near the outer door of the room,
and soon she heard a sound which shocked her
exceedingly. 1t was n peal of musical laughter.
What levity for a sick room!' she muttercd.
Then she opened the door and pccpcd in. Oh!
horrors!
There, seated in an easy chair, was he who
had expressed himself as doubtful of his ability
to pull %terough.' AT his right was the physi-
clan, and at his left, Miss Copchart. They, all
three, seemed to be intensely amused over
something, for they laughed, and laughed again.
The facts in the case were not long in forcing
themselves upon Miss Van Stcwc's rather obtuse
intellect. She realized that she had been out
witted and she made hor way to her room. She
refused to see anyone, but sent n note to her
step-brother, requesting that, as soon as he was
fully recovered from his injuries (Oh, what
biting sarcasm he should betakc himself and
his belongings to new quarters.
He complied with this request at once. The
marriage was soon solcmnized and Miss Van
Steve was left alone. Whether she recovered
from the shock of having had such a pertidious
step-brother, l do not know. You can judge for
yourself" The Major paused. His wife looked
across at him and smiled. st was rather
rough on the old lady, though 1 commented.
"You must acknowledge that
Ives, perhaps it was,'' admitted the Major.
Were you acquainted with the step-brother7'
l asked next.
"Yes, quite intimately, but 1 heard the greater
part of the story from my wife,
why, where, how7" 1 stammered-
"Oh, she was the widows daughter" said
Major Montfort, cxplainingly.