The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-06-04
A Strange Occurrence

few people since its happening,we have
| found no one able to explain in any
way this curious occurrence, and con-
fess if it had been experienced by any
| one else than myself would not have
| believed it.
Some few years ago, at the request
of my dying brother. I went to live i'll
his house. Being alone in the world
save for him and his two sons, gladly
took up my residence within his hos
pitable walls, and, having conceived a
| great fondness for. my nephews While
caring for my brother during the few
months he fingered after my coming,
I yielded to his last wish and the re-
quest of the boys and promised to care
for them as long as they should need
or wish to have me.
There could hardly be greater con-
trast between two boys than between
these two. Harold, tnc elder, was, at
the time Of which I-write, about twen-
| ty-three years Of age; tall, dark, In:
tensely reserved, quiet, self-controlled.
His brother, some twenty months
younger, impulsive, quick-tempered,
demonstrative, open, affectionate. l
never saw such strength Of purpose US
that of Haroid's. Even as a young
lad he permitted nothing to stand In
the way of his wishes, but SO quiet
was his persistent effort one was hard
ly, if at all, conscious of a determina-
ton which won in spite of every OBJ
stacle. Many and many a time saw
the boys clash over opposing desires,
but it was always Tbeo who yielded.
Yet he had plenty Of strength, too, but
4 loving heart as we'll.
At this time Of which I write the
real crash and test OF strength had
come through love for the same girl.
niece Of mine by marriage, an orphan
whom I had adopted and who had
come to live in our pleasant house. 1t
had gradually come to a tense strain
between the brothers. They hardly
spoke to each other ut table, and took
care never to meet away from it. If
by chance their eyes met for an in
slant they were quickly lowered again, !,
neither being willing to show to the
other his real feeling. Agnes, being
like daughter to me. I finally ecided
to speak to her about the matter and
called her to task for her encourage
mcnt of them both, and urged her to
choose between them and end the
strain of uncertainty.
"Oh, Aunt Fanny" she cried, II wish
I could, indeed do. don't encourage
either one. I am never alone a mo-
ment with one but instantly; the other
follows, and they -ook as If only will
kept them from tearing each other to
pieces. I feel as IL I could shrek
sometimes, the effort to keep peace IS
so great. Oh, it is dreadful. dreadful:
And what good times we used to have
together! Why did they ever love me:
I don't want anybody to love me-
And she cried like baby, her head
buried in my lap. =
"Poor little one" ! said gently, ut is
hard for you, know. But surely you
must prefer one to th, other. It seems
to me before this trouble came you
used to like one the better" and l
raised her chin and smiled into her
sweet blue eyes.
She flushed and her head dropped
81 used to think Theo was the dearest
boy" she half whispered; ''but, some
how. Harold'- d'-hesitatingly. II don't
know what it is-he has a power !
can't resist, and yet I can't think it
love, for as soon as he is gone feel
as If load had dropped from me. ]
am afraid of him, auntic He fright
ems me with his black looks; never
can say to him that I don't love him,
it is all can do to keep from saying
that do.'
Every day increased the tension
Meals were passed In a wretched ST.
lence that poor Agnes tried to relieve
with pitiful little attempts at gayety
which Theo made an effort to second,
but to little purpose. All through the
day Agnes clung to NE In q sort Of
desperation, followed me around with
look in her eyes that wrung my
heart; but was helpless to change
matters. finally determined to leave
the house for a time at least, taking
Agnes with me, when an urgent busi-
ness matter called Harold away for
several days. The whole household
seemed to breathe more easily when
he had gone. 1t was only by the re-
moval Of the weight that we realized
how oppressed we had been.
Instantly my girl seemed to revive
and Theo to grow more like the gay,
happy boy of past years. I had all
along felt that these two were suited
to each other, and, with all my affec-
ton for Harold, felt he was not the
mate for my gentle girl. So, being a
woman, and therefore q matchmaker,
managed to leave them together. also
sent them for walk in the garden at
twilight. When they canes in saw
all was we'll between them. and when
they sat down, one cn each. side Of
me, and began to pay me compliments,
me, an old woman, of course, knew
all was right. So presently they con-
fessed their happiness, with bushes
and shy glances at each other, to gain
Courage for the telling.
never saw such look of hate and
rage in my life as that which flashed
from Harold's face when the news was
told him on bis return. eve all know
what happens when the cat is away"
he said harshly, and In an instant, re-
covering himself, he wished them all
happiness and kissed Agnes upon the
brow with apparent brotherly affec-
tjOn