The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-10
CHAPTER I. Continued.

. The hint was as broad as the butt Of a
musket, but in his departure Sotheran show
ed we'll. A look OF merriment grew on his
face. Dear FRIEND" he said, welcome
back. Now is there interest in life and a
campaign begins. Good evening"" And smil-
ing still, he shut the door behind him.
At the other door Alice entered. timidly,
her hands trembling before her. And here
was study In tenderness which Frank, turn
ing from that defiance of his enemy, could
not decipher.
How had she dwelt on his image in these
years, how loftily: enshrined him in her
heart He. whose consideration caused the
sacrifice of his ambition, whose devotion cost
him his life, had become to her wonderful
ideal, and as time went by her heart, yearn-
ing for its master, turned unhappily to the
one man who might have ruled it. The mem
DRY of him had not lessened: not gratitude,
but understanding of him, caused her con-
slant pain: and Alice, when she had lost
him, loved him. She saw before her a life
without other love than this. and being a
woman made to enjoy, rather than to re-
nounce, but at the same time steadfast she
had prayed daily with tears for the miracle
of his return. From this cause sprang the
melancholy in her life; she was as woman
widowed.
Then when he came, light flashed up The
phantom rose before her and became flesh
and blood: she saw him, and he the same.
His manly form, which for her had borne
enormous burdens his face, refined by hard
ship, and then his voice, thrilling with every
noble quality of his mind, were not less than
in remembrance. Waves Of sensation beat
upon her heart, surprise and joy surged over
her The heavens seemed to open, she was
blinded then lifted up, and in the ecstasy OF
the moment all things were lost
When she recovered herself he was gone
Barbara would have attended her, but Alice
desired onlS to be alone. Then when she
might think the woman In her rose up and
drove out the visionary, and she began tt
fear.
She loved him, and she knew it. The dread
lest the rebellion should begin and he this
time be surely lost quick to show hel
what her feeling was. But then, did he love
her? Why had he, alive and able to commu
nicate with her, remained as dead? She saw
his purposes: but might he not have told K
her his secret? FIe would have. II he hat
loved her. Of course. he did not love her
Then she must love in secret.
And So when fearfully she advanced tt
meet him, she greeted him as she had deter
mined. Her composure was but manner ant
ono could know it from her trembling hands
Her sweetness did but disguise the salt o
tears, and her voice shook when she spoke
Frank might have seen. But his heart wa
still stirred with anger, his soul was stern
He could not know, the tenderness that threat
ened to betray her as she babe him ''Wel
come, brother!'' -.-
'Brether!'' repeated sotheran in the hall
He took his ear from the door and tiptoet
away, sardonically, pleased.
Brother! Water fell upon the sparks o
Franks emotion. He was half Indian. trane'
to stoidsm, and instantly, he took the plac
she gave him., kissing sisters hand. He
lips yearned but to touch his hair as b
stopped before her.
"Brother!' grumbled Tudor when Eller.
had gone. 'If he is not more than brothe
when the year is out
But Alice escaped with her tears She ha
learned that Frank had written, and she ha
not answered. And he was to be her brothe
now, until he wanted to be more.