The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-05-20
THE BROTHER OF = X +
5. j. $4 !. A GENTLEMAN

OEINfLEMAN. <
her happy; but he would not; so in
tend to let her see how superficial Is
his knowledge, and what a shallow
man he Isl
When Ernest Wilson made a resoIu
tion it was as good as accomplished
but this was the most difficult under
taking of his life; for he intended moi
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 Ell
nest Wilson, not as any mans brother
He was so accustomed to sit by silent
| ly when questions were discussed
knowing all the time that he had more
knowledge of the subject than those
who were talking, that it produced
surprise that amounted almost to q
sensation when he first began to ex
press his opinion in modest way.
1t was very hard for him, as he was
not only modest man, but timid one
as well, end had been long in the back.
ground; he succeeded well with the
men, however, and, with a dogged de
termination to carry his resolution
through, he was not willing to stor
until he convinced all his friends tha:
| he had mind and opinions of his own.
They were not so long in finding il
out as he had been, fortunately, and
soon he began to- be spoken Of as En-
nest, instead of "Wiirs brother" OF
| '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 wearied of it, then made love to
Ruth's friend till he weared 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 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.
care you!
''No."
"Do you want to so home"
"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 o
young rascal who is not worth one
thought from you
'The man who is breaking my heart
is worth every thought"
Ruth" he said desperately, ''let me
tell you something. Will is a gentle
mani admit that. But he is not the
man to make you or any woman hap
py. Believe me- speak for your sake,
and yours only. l am not pleading my
own cause. for l learned long ago how
hopeless that would be; but l have
loved you always, and cannot bear to
see you throwing away the best part
Of your life grieving for an unworthy
man."
81 tell you he is worthy"
"What do you women call a worthy
man? What do you call gentleman?
If that is what you consider Will, then
break your heart over your gentleman!
l have done my best
Il am not breaking my heart over
Will"
cover whom, then?"
'The brother of a gentleman! Oh,
Ernestr'
The tone, was it, or the look she gave
him out there under the stars? But in
some way he understood at last, and
he clasped her to his heart and thank
ed God with voice that had tears in II
for this great blessing that had come
into his life.-YOnkers Statesman.