Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-07-09
aud began to laugh.
Got the blues, BobbieF

Got the blues, BobbieT
NO.
well, congratulate me. I'm
the happiest fellow in the world
want you to be my best man.
Pm going to be married.
'Narried!'
yes; am caught at last-the
dearest girl living. You know her
WE'LL
who is itT
Alice EYersham.'
'T sprang from my chair and
brought NV clinched first down
upon the table. Blind rage took
possession of me for a moment.
'Hallop he exclaimed. whats
the matteli Are you Ia love with
her, tooP
MOL was thinking, | answered,
III you think like that often you
will smash all your furniture.
Come, tell me the truth, BObbIe.
You are in love with Alice your
self. | cannot blame you. Anyway
she will be your sister old fellow
His words were intended as a
consolation, but they were mad
deuing. 1t was only afterwards,
when l became sane enough to
think calmly, that l felt Richard
had as much right to happiness as
had. We both loved her, and she
loved me. 1t was all fair, honest
dealing; l could not complain.
Richards wedding day was a
torture.
'Good-by, Robert Alice said,
just before they went away. Nou
forgive meY'
'There is nothing to forgive |
ans yered.
'And yon Wish nee happinessF
with all my hearll 1 said. We
shall not see much of each other,
Alice, in the future, 1t Is better
not, but remember, am your
brother-more your friend. IT you
should ever want me, send for me-
when we come back l shall
send for you at once she answered
merrily,
And | shall not come. In trOu.
BILE 'yon shall find me ready, but
otherwise l shall be out OF reach.
leave England tomorrow, and
I do not know when shall return.
Il shall have to get into trouble
she said. 'GOOd.bJp
Il left England and wandered
about, trying to forget. Alice had
been married ten years when !
first met you, HargraYes, and dur
ing that time Il did not see her,
but | heard constantly from Rch
ard, and beggared myself almost
in helping hin. He did not seem
TO have an idea of the value OF
money-spent 1t as if there was no
limit 20 his income.
1T was letter l received from
Alice which made me leave you
80 suddenly. Richard was again IN
serious difficulty, and she wrote to
me without his knowledge, he
having told her then for the first
time how oflen 1 had helped him
before, saying that he could not
ask me again. l went to her, and
found matters about as bad a
they could 5e. Richard was des
peratr and half ashamed to see me.
By a terrible struggle, and pledg
ing my credit to the utmost limit,
managed as | thought to SET him
l believe Alice would
have gone down upon her knees
90 thank me had | let her; and
r chard thanked me, too, but did
not seem quite at ease. l was glad
to get away from them, and | made
arrangements to leave England
again. TO be perfectly truthful, my
resources were 80 reduced that |
meant to settle IN some continental
Town where living was cheap. All
my preparations were made, when
[ received a telegram.
'Come to me at once. Alice
Wondering what new compllcA'
tIOn had arisen for 1 could read
tronble had AL lsen for | could read
trouble in my message-l went.
sAlice was alone.
Robert she SAID, clutching my
arm, and there was a look OF hor'
ror in her eyes, lis it trueF
SIS what trne7'
That Richard is a thief"
NO. who has said soP
we were dining out last night
and overheared two men talking &
about Richard. They were sur
nrised to see him the re. One o.
A. I... NaaE