Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-12-20

not III Tue Woou. lNey CAN not prove
him TO have been in two places at
once, Widow Dove being out that
night was unlucky."
Everything seems uulucky," sighed
Lillian, The stars in their courses
fight against him, Cyril"
Lillian raised her head, and took, d
sorrowfully and appealingly, AS 1t
seemed, into her brothers eyes; and
a rush Of deep affection, springing
from the purcSt sources in his nat
urc, clouded the young mans glance,
and he claSped her once more pro
tectingly 10 his breast. feeling, as in
the days Of his spotlrSs hoyhood, that
no human being could ever be 50 close
and dear to him as his twin sister,
whose being was 50 closely and mys-
terioSuly interviewer with his own.
All affections and ties that had since
arisen seemed as nothing in compari-
son with this one strong bond of pri-
NAL instructive love; even the bond
of marriage seemed hut secondary
thing by the side Of IT,.
The twins had drifted apart OF late
years. They had thought that the old
childish union must naturally grow
weaker with the Increasing complex
claims of mature life; but now they
realized that it had only sunk out Of
sight for 4 time, like an underground
stream to break forth again with re
newed power. Lilian'S weakness and
momentary self>abandonment called
out all that was manifest and best In
Cyril. Hers, he knew, was the deeper,
stronger nature He leaned habitually
on her, and now he was touched to
find her leaning on him; and the tears
they shed together renewed and recon,
Secrated the strong kinShip between
them, like some holy chrism
He felt happier and better man
than he had been for many weary
months after that mingling of tears,
and the thought flashed through him,
with miugling Of pain and sweet
ness, that they We're too closely united
not to stand or fall together; either
he must drag Lillian down, or she must
raise him up. lillian would surely he
thought, as he gaZed into her clear,
deep, beautiful eyes, be In some way
his salvation. In the meantime, he
soothed and comfortcd her.
you see, LII" he said, "somebody
killed poor Lee, probably by accident.
And If things came to the worst with
Everard, that somebody would certain
ly come forward and clear him."
This seemed curious reasoning, and
yet It had comforted Lillian strangely.
MY great hope is in Alma" she said.
Il am sure she can throw light upon
the affair"
\ hot flame shot over Cyrll's face,
and he turned his gaze from his sis
ter's and looked out Of the window.
mo doubt" he replied
"And then" continued Lillian, lifting
her head with proud, indignant
flush, this hideous dispersion must
vanish"
Good heavens! Lillian do you mean
that they"
you have not followed the evidence,
Cyril?" asked Lillian. Get the 'Ad,
vertiscr,' and you will see. Yes, they
dare-they actually dare" she contin-
ucd, drawing herself up, and walking
up and down with gestures of indig-
nat disdain, while her eyes shot forth
such u stream Of light as Cyril's We're
wont to do. "to charge him with
Alma's ruin!'
The twins had been looking more
alike than ever during their impas.
stoned interview, til Lillian, in her fiery
indignatsn, seemed like an Intensified
Cyril; but now the Softncss and calm
strength, which seemed to have passed
from the sister to the brother. sudden
~ left the latter, and his face changed
and hardened, but he said nothing,
MY hope is that Alma may not
die" continued Lillian, not observing
him in the intensity Of her passion
Die interrupted Cyril, in IA deep.
strange voice, while his breath came
gaspingly. rs there danger?"
yes; hut God is good. lie will not
let her die till she has proved Henry
innocence"
Cyril was trembling with a terrible
hope. and yet Il dread of what he
dared not even in thought acknowl-
edge. He could not speak for some
moments but looked out into the chill
garden. smothering this fierce emotion,
and striving to stihe Il wish that
formed itself in spite Of his better nat.
ure. At last he turned to Lillian,
whose unexhausted passion continued
to pour itself out in the same strain,
with the radiant smile whose magnet.
ism 50 few could resist.
What idiots we are, LII" he said,
wasting our fears upon this phantom,
Old Hal will be here laughing at the
absurd mistake in n week. There
needs no interposition Of Providence
to arrange that simple matter. And,
IL 1t were not So" he added. his brow
darkening, "he must be free eat any
cost-at any cost" he repeated, below
his breath
AT any cost" he repeated, as he
drove his father into Oldport; and he