The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-08-03

He was silent for a moment and re-
lit his pipe.
''There were two of u.s. he said;
twin boys. L was the elder by ten
minutes, and we were born three
months after our fathers death. We
grew up great friends, as twins often
are, aud yet we were very different. I
developed into quiet, studious, grave
faced youngster. i was slow mt learn
ing, slow of speech, and nobody's
favorite. Ny brother, Richard, on the
co ltra' y, was bright, clever; even rs
BOY his conversation was accounted
brilliant. He could do anything and
everything, was full of ,un and laughter,
and generous and thoughtless to a
fault. Richard Denmore was petted
by everybody When we were about
sixteen my mother died. / remember
the night before her death as if it were
yesterday only.
You are my eldest boy, Robert, ;
she said, taking my strong hand in her
feeble one. You are, perhaps, not so
clever, naturally, as Richard, but you
have got balance, which he has not.
Richard troubles me often
Everybody likes him, mother
answered
"'That makes all the more danger;
and / want You, Robert, to look after
Richard
g i shall always love him
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. Ihad, perhaps, the most money,
but then | did not go out as much as
Richard did, and he gave away more
than [ did, too.
The hum'lrum round of my daily
life was suddenly isturbed-pleas-
antly so. Alice Eversham came into
1t, aud from the first moment / saw
her L loved her. / had never even
cared about n woman before; had
never even, as boy, had preference
for one of the pupils ut the seminary
for young ladies we passed every
morning on our way to school. For
n long time [ loved in silence. I
feared to put my fate to the test, and
when plucked up my courage to ask
Alice to be my wife 1 was too late.
She was kind and gentle, but her no
was final.
But, Alice, I will wait You will
change-you must change said, in
in my despair.
g i shall never change
"'Who is the-the other man?'
cannot tell You that. A woman
| does not confess her love for n man
before that man has asked her.
Life has been black enough for me
many times, heavens knows, but never
30 black as it was then. 1t is the one
great passion I have known, and it
has made me what am to-day.
"a week later Richard bounced into
my room one night, threw himself
down in an easy char, and began to
| laugh.
"'Got the blues, Bobbie?'
Ono
Well, congratulate me. I'm the
happiest fellow in the world. I
want you 20 be my best man. I'm
going to lie married
Married.
Yes; / am caught at last-the
dearest girl living. You know her
well.
q" Who is it?'
Alice Eversham.'
''i sprang from my chair and brought
my cIinched fist down upon the table.
Blind rage took possession of me for
moment.
" 'Hallor he exclaimed. What's
the matter? Are you in love with her,
too?
NO; was thinking, I answered,
stupidity
ri you think like that often YOU
will smash all your furniture. Come.
tell mo the truth, Bobbie. You are in
love with Alice yourself. I cannot
blame you Anyway, she will be your
sister, old fellow
His words were intended rs a con
ISOLATION, but they we're maddenine.
10 was only afterwards, when I became
sane enough 10 think calmly. that /
fe.; Richard had rs much right TO
happiness MS I had We both loved
her. aud she loved me. 1t was all
fair, honest dealing; I could not com
plain
ichard's wedding day was tor
turc.
Good-by, Robert, Alice said. lust
before they went away You forgive
meg
There is nothing to forgive I
answered
Aud you wish me happiness?
With all my heartr I said. we
shall not see much of each other.
Alice, in the future; it is better not:
bat remember, I am your brother
more, your friend. r. you should ever
want me, send for me-
When we come bnck + shall
send for yJu at once, she answered.
morrily
And shall not come. In trouble
You slall find me ready, but otherwise
aUNa l. "a