The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-07-28

"'And you will help him?'
"'Yes, always
"More than once that night she
made me repeat the promise, and l
took an oath, little knowing what the
oath meant.
Time passed, and we both got ON
well. 1 had, perhaps, the most mon
ey, but then did not go out as much
as Richard did, and he gave away more
than did, too.
'The humbrum round of my daily
life was suddenly disturbed-pleasant-
ly so. Alice Eversham came into it,
and from the first moment / saw her /
loved her. / had never even cared
about woman before had never even
as boy, had a preference for one ofthe
pupils at the seminary for young ladies
We passed every morning on our way
to school. For long time / loved in
silence. / feared to put my case to the
test, and when l plucked up my cour-
age TO ask Alice to be my wife, / was
too late. She was kind and gentle, but
her mo- was final.
"'But, Alice, will wait. You will
change-you must change l said, in
my despair.
~ shall never change
"'Who is the-other man?'
Il cannot tell you that. A woman
does not confess her love for man be-
fore that man has asked her.
Life has been black enough for me
many times, heaven knows, but never
so black as it was then. 1t is the one
great passion have known, and it has
made me what / am to-day.
"a week later Richard bounced into
my room one night. He threw him
self down in an easy chair and began
to laugh.
"'Got the blues, Bobbie?'
"'No.'
"'Well, congratulate me. Pm the
happiest fellow i'm the world. want
you to be my best man. / am going
to be married"
'Marriedr
ayes; am caught at last-:he dear
est little girl living. You know her
WELL
"'Who is it?'
"'Alice Eversham.'
al sprang from my chair and brought
my clinched fist down upon the table
Blind rage took possession of me for
moment.
"'Hallor' he exclaimed. whats
the matter? Are you in love with her,
too?''
"'No; was thinking / answered
stupidity.
"lf you think like that often you
will smash all your furniture. Come,
tell me the truth, Bobbie. You are in
love with Alice yourself. / cannot
blame you. Anyway, she will be your
sister, old fellow.
''His words were intended as a con-
ISOLATION, but they were simply mad
dening.
at was only afterwards, when be-
came sane enough to think calmly,
that felt Richard had as much right
TO happiness as | had. We both loved
her, and she loved him. 1t was all
fair, honest dealing; could not COM
plain.
Richards wedding day was tor
ture.
'Good-by, Robert Alice said, just
before they went away. You forgive
mer
"'There is nothing to forgive;
answered.
"'And you wish me happiness
"'With all my heart = / said. we
shall not see much of each other, Alice,
in the future; it is better not; but re-
member, l am your brother-more,
your friend. If you should ever want
me, send for me.
"'When we come back shall send
for you at once she answered.
"And shall not come. In trouble
you shall find me ready, but otherwise
I shall be out of reach. / leave Eng
land tomorrow, and l do not know
when shall return
al shall have to get into trouble
quickly she said. 'Good-by.'
al left England and wandered about,
trying to forget. Alice had been mar
ried ten years when / first met you,
Hargraves, and during that time did
not see her, but 1 heard constantly
from Richard, and beggared myself
almost in helping him. He did not
seem to have an idea of the value OF
money--spent it as if there was no limit
to his income.
at was letter / received from Alice
which made me leave you so suddenly.
Richard was again in serious difficult
ty, and she wrote TO me without his
knowledge, he having told her then
for the first time how often had help
ed him before, saying that he could not
ask me again.
81 went TO her, and found matters
about as bad as they could be. Richard
was desperate and half ashamed TO see
me. BY terrible struggle, and pledg-
ing my credit to the utmost limit,
managed, as l thought, to set him
straight. / believe Alice would have
gone down upon her knees to thank
me had lie: her; and Richard thanked
me too, but did not seem quite at ease.
was glad to get away from them,
and / made arrangements TO leave
England again.
"To be perfectly truthful, my resourc-
es were so reduced that meant to set
tie i'm some continental town where
living was cheap. All my prepara-
rations were made, when l received q
telegram:
"'Come to me at once. ALICE
Wondering what new complication
had arisen-for l could read trouble in
the message-I went.
"Alice was alone.
"'Robert,' she said, clutehing my
arm, and there was look of horror ia
her eyes, as il true?'
"'Is what true?"
"'rhat Richard is thiefn