The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-06-05

dignities his brother would certainly
attain to, and on the same easy terms
by which he had been made a baronet.
|. And, perhaps, when Sydney had he.
come a great lord, he would do some
thing for his brother; but Tony would
not care whether he did or not, so
long as Sydney was not ashamed Of
him, and did not entirely disOwn him.
But there was no danger of that; for
NOBODY half as good as Sydney had
ever lived; and 1t was impossible that
he should ever cease to love the broth
CT who would be ready, Mt any mo.
ment. to lay down life Tor him,
And, just as his thoughts had
reached to that point. the door of his
little workshop was dashed open, and
sydney was before him.
On beholdihg his brother, Tony had
started from his seat, Instantly to
sink back on to it; for he had seen that
Sydney's face was white almost as
that OF a spectre, and haggard as IL
with years of suffering.
Tony had known that his brother
was about to return to London. md
felt certain that not many hours after
his arrival his arrival there would
eMpse without visit from him.
Inc brothers gazed on each other.
and for several moments neither
spoke; and Tony, too, had turned yery
pale.
His brothers love for Frances
OMeara, however hopeless he might
deem 1t, could not have wrought that
terrible change in Sydney which Tony
now bcheld.
Well 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. and he could not speak n word.
1t was Sydney who first spoke.
"Ay, look at me, brother-look at
me" he said. II am q dishonored
mani"
THAT is impossible, Sydney!" now.
at last, spoke Tony-and loudly and
confidently, too.
AS connectedly as he could did Syd-
ney relate to his brother the history of
his losses at the card table. cursinr
the paltry pride which had led him to
play. ~
But Tony did not blame him for
that; his brother was not to he looked
down upon by such fellows as those
amongst whom chance had thrown
him, and had done right, at any cost
TO maintain his dignity.
And the cost had, indeed. beon fear.
full, Sydney said; and then told nil
that we already know respecting the
money with which he had been on
trusted.
And they have accused you of hav-
ing stolen:" Tony said, whisperingly
commencing, and soon l,ecomine total.
ly inau1ible.
Yes. brother, yes. Go to them.
question them, and they will answer,
sydney Drummond is thief.v'
Tony shuddered from head to foot.
AND who could blame themw Syd-
ney cried, despairingly. every cir
cumstance accuses every circum-
stance condemns me-
Tears rushed into Tony's eyes. and
lie extended his hand toward his
brother.
But Sydney would not then accept
his brothers hand; and, thrusting it
aside, he wildly exclaimed: mo! 90
leave me! What matters it that YOU
believe me-that you know me innno-
ccHt. IL OtneFS-
what matters itr' interrupted To-
ny. Are you gone mad? What mat
ters it when honor is at stake-not
ours alone, but also that of our poor.
dear father?"
Sydney hung his head and groaned
aloud.
You are older than 1 am, Sydney:
and l have always looked up to you,
and loved you, as in every way better,
far" Tony continued his voice broken
with emotion; ''but I have q right to
question you closely now" And. he
placed his hands on Sydneys shout
ders.- and, holding him fast, looked
straight into his eyes.
'.'Sydney, dear brother" faltered To-
ny, ''some day we shall die, both of
us, and then we shall see father again.
DO you remember, Sydney, what he
said to us on his ath-bed-they were
his last words, you knows"
And the tears were trickling down
poor Tony's cheeks; while Sydney's
eyes were dry and haggard, and look
ing into vacancy with a stony gaze.
Dear boys said poor father, Il
can leave you nothing. save the exam
pie of my honorable life. Follow it,
good lads; never be guilty of an action
for which you would have cause to
blush, and when your last hour shall
arrive, it will find you as calm and
tranquil as am now"
And then, breaking into loud sob
bings, Tony said:
Should dare say to father, 4 have
never forgotten your precepts,' IL you,
dear Sydney, could but say to him,
Rather, have been q rascal and q
thiefv'
ooh, I should not fear to tell him
ALL" responded Sydney. But with
them, what could I invoke for my de-
fence? am a gambler, have lost,
and have paid my losses with money
which had been entrusted to me while
believing that was an honest mani"
And Sydney moaned again, and
dashed his hand to his head, despair
ingly.
And Tony, struggling for ,calmness,
said, Come. come, Sydney. let us meet
this evil face to face, and manfully.
In the first place. you have not vet
told me what was the sum you lost at
cards%