Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-06-10
THE BROTHER OF + + i.
= = + + A GENTLEMAN.

GENTLEMAN. Z
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had spoken to her, and Of the manner
In which Will talked, as If she were the
one favored in their love affairs.
And yet to her Ernest was nothing in
the world but Wills brother. When Err
nest thought Of 1t seriously, he has
never been anything to any one but
Wills brother. He had been so un-
assuming. and cared so little for ap-
pearances, and Will had cared SO
much. Ernest was an excellent busl-
ness man; he did the thinking, WIN
did the talking; Will used all Of his
Ideas as II they were his own and trans
acted business for his father In an
easy, o1-hand way, forgetting to men
ton that Ernest had spent hours Of
thought and study before the line Of
action had been decided upon. 1t had
been the SANE when they were chill
dren. Ernest read book carefully;
Will read . criticism on it. combined
1t with Ernests opinion and carried on
brilliant conversations upon 1t with
older people, impressing all with his
remarkable mind, while Ernest sat by
and said nothing.
II am not good enough for Ruth" he
said to himself. II do not know any
one who Is; and would not for the
world make her think less of VIII. II
thought he loved her or would make
her happy; but he would not; so in
tend to let her see how superficial Is
his knowledge. and what shallow
man he Is"
When Ernest Wilson, made a resolu-
ton It was as good as accomplished,
but this was the most difficult under.
taking Of his life; for he intended not
only to prove to Ruth that she was
wasting her affections upon man who
cared nothing for her, but to teach
his little world to speak Of him as Err
nest Wilson, not as any mans brother.
He was so accustomed to sit by silent
" when questions were discussed.
knowing all the time that he had more
knowledge Of the subject than those
who were talking, that it produced a
surprise that amounted almost to a
sensation when he first began to ex-
! press his opinion In a modest way.
1t was very hard for him, as he was
not only modest man, but a timid one
as well. and had been long in the back
ground; he succeeded well with the
men. however. and, with a logged de.
ffp hit
through. he was not willing to stop
until he convinced all his friends tina:
he had mind and opinions of his own.
They were not SO long in finding it
out as he had been. fortunately, and
soon he began to he spoken OF as En-
nest. instead of wills brother" or
Mr.. Wilson's other son." Much of the
attention he had formerly given to
business he turned upon himself, to
the delight of his mother, who under
stood him better than did any one else
IN the world. as is the way with moth
ers always. or nearly always. She en-
couraged him, then she went further;
she dropped word here and there OF
what Ernest thought; how much they
relied upon his Judgment, and the like.
and all this time VIII fingered, wonder.
Ing why Ernest and his father did not
help him pecuniarily, so that he could
return to the city.
fingered and made love to Ruth till
he wearled OF 1t, then made love to
Ruth's friend till he wearied OF that,
and went back and made love to Ruth.
And Ruth let him make love to her.
She had been accustomed to 1t Off and
on for years, but for all that she was
beginning to think.
The climax was reached when some
body gave q party. Ernest went to the
city, returning in garments OF the lat
est cut, and appearing as much at ease
as Will had ever done.
you are not enjoying yourself,
Ruth" he said.
"How do you know that?" she ask
ed, with weary smile.
"Are your
mo"
"Do you want to go homer
"Yes."
"Then come along"
A few minutes later they We're walk
Ing together through the moonlight; the
wind blew the brilliant autumn leaves
about their feet, and they trampled
down their red and gold glory into the
soft earth. Ernest took the small hand
that had been clinging to his arm. and
said gently:
Ruth, dear little woman, you are
unhappy breaking your heart over a
young rascal who Is not worth one
thought from you"
'"rhe man who is breaking my heart
is worth every thought"
Ruth" he said desperately, ''let me
tell you something. WIN Is q gentle
mxn-I admit that. But he Is not the
man to make you or any woman hap
nv. Believe me. speak for your sake.
and v0llrn nralv | am nrv& rSlnAS3inH INV