The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1897-03-13
THE MORTAL COIL.


brothers; and, what is often more
than brothers do, they loved one
another. While they were mere boys they
had been left orphans. friendless, alone
with the world and with necessity. They
were industrious and frugal, their purse
was common, and working thus together
they managed to keep Oft starvation and
debt.
They were now In the period of early
manhood. Allan, the elder, was % years
OF age and David 20. They occupied two
pleasant rooms in a respectable lodging
house, lived WELL and had some money
saved In the bank. Eat first l used 10
be afraid that we could not make II,
Allan would say TO mis- brother, when they
talked In the evening of their life ana
their AFFAIRS; "it was such a hard strus-
gle. But there is no longer any doubt
that we are going to succeed In the
world"
no this prophecy, which Allan reJoicod
to speak, David would always assent,
with an enthusiasm that came not from
any confidence in his own powers, but
solely from his belief in his elder brother
The difference between the brothers was
more than that of years, as each of them
we'll understood. Allan was strong, keen
and determined. David was gentle and
sympathetic, but little duh. They were
alike, however, In their intense devotion
to one another.
It happened in the midst of this
which they regarded as prosperity that
Allan was suddenly beset by grievous
Illness. 1t had been written down In the
pitiless law book of nature that he should
pay for the sins of some ancestor, OF
whose very existence he was ignorant.
The disease ran It's slow course through
many weeks and were now and again
critical times when the heart of the
younger brother, watching by night
stood still.
At last it came to an end. The SEN
tence of nature was fulfilled The life
Of the young man was spared, but the
disease left him blind and cripple. AS
Allan began to recover his strength, and
the dumb consciousness of suffering gave
way to active thought he demanded TO
know how soon the bandages were to be
taken from his eyes. To this and to other
questions of similar nature, the doctor
who attended him returned evasive an
swers. Thereupon, Allan, half guessing
the truth, became silent. In the meantime
David, also silent, chung desperately to
a fragment of hope,
One morning the doctor, as he was
about to leave, motioned across the sick
mans bed to David that he wished to
speak to him alone. They went out into
the hall, where the physician sat down
upon a chair and David leaned back
against corner OF the wall.
Presently Allan heard the confused
murmur of their talk. He climbed out
of the bed and dragged himself with diff
flculty across the floor into the sitting
room. Placing his ear against the hal
door, which was not quite closed hi
heard all, unseen and unsupported.
at Is useless for me to continue these
daily visits" said the physician; here
after will come only when you send fol
me-"
"well. what shall we do about-abou
his eyes2'
They viii probably not pain him any
more. You can take of the bandage when
ever you are ready to tell him the Who'll,
truth"
David's lips grew very white. ''Yo,
mean that he viii never recover" h
said.
The doctor looked up at him suddenl!
with a frown. Really" he said, /"
thought had made the state of thing
pretty clear to you"
YES" said David; II know-but KEEP
hoping"
''AIy dear boy, I am sorry, but cal
not even let you hope If your leg wa
cut aff would you expect another to grow
in its place? A part of the eye is gone
and that ends It,"
And the lameness?"
''He will always walk with crutches
Perhaps 1t was well that no mortal ey
saw the wan face pressed toward tn
opening In the door. There was a shut
ling across the floor, and Allan drew him
self upon the bed again, where he la
motionIess and silent, though all his bod
seemed to CULVER and his thought to or
aloud.
Presently the footsteps of the docto
sounded on the stairs and the lower doc
opened and shut. But nearly an hou
passed before the younger brother cam
hack to the room. When he came
was with the belief that he was prepare
to speak to Allan and tell him ALL H
looked for a moment at the figure curle
on the bed and shook his head. He woul
wait.
Several days passed. Then In the even
ing Allan said suddenly to his brother:
David, what Is the matter? Perhap
imagine it-but is there not somethin;
that you want to talk to me about?'
Yes" said the other, startled.