The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-27
A BROTHERS BEARD.


Leads on to glory, my love. -
ayes, you are at the food
"But I object TO going on TO glory just
yet, my dear, said
Joe Rose, will you let this chance slip
through your hngersS Are you not q wild
overp Do I understand you to say that
you areP do. Then, sir, 1 ask, what is
your first duty in the present crisisP''
Here my sister paused, but as she dis
covered that was unable to reply she con-
tinued in the following strain:
81 see you realize, Joseph, that Miss
Durang, your daughters governess, is
possessed of excellent qualities of mind and
heart. She will grace whatever position
she may be called to occupy. But she is
scarcely 25 years of age and is surrounded
by lovers. Do you know, Joseph that if
only for your daughters sake I consider
it your duty TO marry her? Do you know
that should consider it very wrong in you
to allow her to marry out of this family?''
l had thought until this moment that
my love for Miss Durang was unknown to
every one but myself. Now discovered
my mistake.
am II years her senior. I admit that 1 love
her as man never 1oved-a love without
decay, and my heart-nay heart is break
ing, Molly; but, Notwithstanding, I doubt
if she loves me, doubt if she ever could
love me, doubt if she would marry me -
''1Iolly, - I murmured, - I viii attempt"
"Then you will succeed.
She might have said more-I dare say
she would had not Miss Durang entered
the room at this moment, with an open
letter in her hand, when Molly Immediate
1y arose and withdrew.
Mr. Rose, - FadiIla began, 81 have a
letter here from my brother Roderick,
whom you have often heard me speak of.
I think 1 told you that he was the only
relative I had in the world. He has been
in California for the last ten years, and
has Just returned He writes this from
New York to ask # it viii be agreeable for
me to receive a visit from him here. You
are master of the house What answer
shall I make him?''
looked up into her sweet face while she
was speaking, and then, as a wave of emo
ton swept across my breast, took her
hand in mine. She made no attempt to
draw her hand away.
fFadilla,' - said I in my falsetto voice
(my natural voice is so grum that should
as soon think of singing a nadrigal in the
tune of "OId Grimes as of using it in
declaration Of affection). Fadil1a, am,
indeed, the master of this house, but did
you ever think that the house needed a
mistress
Her countenance assumed the sad, sor-
rowfuI expression that had noted at our
first meeting.
"Ob, my friend do not trife with my
feelings
"Trife, Fadilla2'' I cried ''No, neveri
Believe me, my dear girl, love you truly,
sincerely and would make you my wife -
"Can trust you, Mr.. Rose?" looking
into my face so longingly, so lovingly.
"Only do trust me-only say you will
be mine, FadilIa 1t is all I ask, - re-
turned, drawing her toward me.
ooh, do love you, Mr.. Rose" she
murmured, falling upon my bosom.
''Call me pet names, darling-cau me
joey, - I whispered. ~
Il have always been sorry that could
not have had this scene photographed.)
When the first delirium Of the moment
was over, we returned to the subject of
her brothers visit.
''Send for Roderick Immediately, my
darling, - I said you might have known
that any friend of yours, much more a
brother, would always be welcome here. -
She was sitting on my knee with one
little hand laid caressingly on my Shout
der, while her dear head was pilloWed
against my cheek.
ct know a great deal more than did
when brought this letter to you,' she
answered, with charming naivete.
Within week he was with US, and
capital fellow he seemed too.
"But when is the wedding to take
place. inquired DUrang a day or two
after his arrival.
'eWe have not yet decided upon the day,
but wish il to take place soon. Tomor-
row intend to go to New York, whore
shall purchase few presents for my wife
that is to be-a diamond or SO; perhaps a
necklace of them. I have drawn So 600
from the bank, and as 1 am not a connois-
seur of precious stones-and as dare say
you are-if you will accompany me upon
this expedition I shall esteem it great
favor. -
That evening I spent with Fadilla alone.
At 10 O'Clock we all retired, Fadil1a lin
gering on the stairs to give me q good
night kiss, remember, after her brother
was out of sight and hearing.
When at last did awake, the bright god
of day was glaring dercely in at my cham
Der window, and some one was calling
Fadilla
Dressing myself as hurriedly as possible,
I hastened down stairs, and there in the
hall found that remarkable woman, my
sister, with little Molly and all our serv-
ants collected about them.
where's Fadillag'' inquired Mrs Cal
lerton. with an expression of virtuous in
dignation upon her face, for it seems-as
she afterwa4d told rne-she had a suspicion
that we had been married privately the
night before.
8Fadilla? Isn't she in her roo1nP'' I ask
ed
'fNo, and she did not sleep there last
night returned Molly, her eagle eye Dor
ing into the depths of my soul
With a cry of anguish delivered in my
falsetto voice I bounded up stairs and
sprang into the room sacred to the beloved
OF my heart.
1t was empty.
whats this?'' cried my sister. She had
taken something from the dressing table
and now held it up before my eyes. I
gazed upon it fondly, but tearfulIy. 1t
was a set of false whiskers, long and heavy,
end there was q note attached to them.