The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-06-04

was nothing in the world to prevent
Sydn"y'S marriage with the lovely and
! accomplished Frances O'NIara.
And now, rs he sat at his work.
.ony was again building castles in the
air. which his brother was To inhal'it.
Sydney married, ana ii partner in
the bank. would thcn become a mem-
Der of parliament. SooL after thar hc
would be knightcd-TOny did not
know exactly what for. but there was
40 doubt that sydney would be knight
ed; next, Sydney would become Il lord.
or an earl, Tony was not quite certain
which: but II or the other of these
dignitieS his brother would certainly
attain to, and OF the same easy terms
by which he had becl made Il baronet.
And. perhaps. when Sydney had be
come Il great lord. he would do some
thing for his brother: bat Tony would
rot car whether he did or not, 50
long as Sydney was not ashamed OF
him, aud did not entirely diSOwn him.
But there was no danger of that: for
nobody half as good as sydney had
ever lived; and il was impossible that
II" should ever cease tn love the broth
or who would be ready. at any mo-
menr, To lay down life for him.
And, just as his thoughts had
reached To hat point. the door of his
little workshop was dashed open. and
sydney WAS before him.
On beholding his brother. Tony had
started from his seat. Instantly to
/ back on to it: for he had seen that
Sydncy's face was white almost as
that of Il spectre, and haggard as if
with years of suffering.
Tony had known that his brother
was about to return to London. and
Ieit certain that not many hours after
ms arrival his arrival there would
lapse without Il visit from him.
The brothers gaZed on each other.
II for several moments neither
spoke; and Tony. too, had turned very
pale.
Ills brothers love for Frances.
OMeara, however hopeless he might
deem it, could not have wrought that
terrible change in sydney which Tony
now bchcld.
We'll convinced of that was Sydney's
brother. and lie could only wonder
what terrible thing had happened: for
Ms tongue clave to the roof of his
mouth. AMI liz corid not speak Il word.
1t was Sydney who irSt spoke.
NY. loo ar me. brOther-look at
me- he said. Il am "A dishonored
man"
That is impossible. Sydney now,
ut last. spoke TOny-and loudly and
confidently. too
As connectedly as he could did Syd-
ney rel0te To his brother the history Of
his losses at the card table. cursinr
III" paltry pride which had led him To
play.
But Tony did not blame him for
tItal; his brother was NOT To be looked
down upon by such fellows as those
amongst whom chance had thrown
nm. and had done right. AT any cost.
10 maintain his dignity.
And the cost had. indeed. been fear
ful. sydney said: and then told all
that We already know respecting the
money with which he had been en-
trusted.
And they have accused You of l,ov-
ing stolen" Tony said. whisperinglv
commencing. and soon becoming total
ly inaudibIe.
Yes, brother. yes. Go to them
question them. and they will ansycr
sydney Drummond is n thief"
Tony s~hrddered from head TO foot.
And who could blame themy" Syd.
ney cried. deSpairingiy. Every ,ir.
cuihstance accuses-cvery ciTcum-
stance condemns mo"
Tears rushed into Tnny'S eyes, and
he extended his hand toward his
brother.
But Sydney would not then accent
ms brothers hand: and. thruSting it
aside, he wildly exclaimed: NO, %
leave me. What matters it that YOU
believe me-that you know me innno-
cent. ii others"
What matters it," interrupted To-
ny. Are You %on mad? What mat
t"rS it when honor is at stakr-n not
ours alone. but also that of our
dear father"
sydney hung his head and groancd
aloud.
You are older than | an. sydney:
and | have always looked up TO Won.
and loved yorl. as in evary way better.
far Tony continued his voice broken
with emotion; but | have Il right t.
question YOU closely now" And he
placed his hands On Sydney'S shout
d"rs, and. holding him fast. looked
straight into his eyes.
'"Sydncy. lear brother" faitrrrd To
ny. some day we slal; die. both of
us. AMI teen we shall see father again.
DO You remember, sydney. what he
said 10 us Oh his dcath-bpd-they were
his last words. You know"
And the tears were trickliRg down
poor Iony'S checks; while Sydney's
eyes wrr" dry and haggarl. and look
ing INTO vacancy with II stony gaze.
Dear boys. said poor father. L
can leave You nothing, save the exam
pie OF my honorable life. Follow il.
good lads; never he guilty of an action