The Globe-republican., 1903-06-04


ised to set down in writing
our strange experience. Al
though we have told it to q
few people since Its happening,we have
found no one able to explain in any
way this curious occurrence, and I 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, went to live in
bis house. Being alone in the world
save for him and his two sons, | gladly
took up my residence within his hos
pltable walls, and, having conceived 9
great fondness for my nephews while
caring for my brother during the few
months he fingered after my coming,
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 a greater con.
trast between two boys than between
these two. Harold, tine elder, was, at
the time Of which 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 as
that of Harold's. Even as a young
lad be permitted nothing to stand in
the way Of his wishes, but so quiet
was his persistent effort one was hard
ly, II at all, conscious of determine
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 Theo who yielded.
Yet he had plenty of strength, too, but
a loving heart as well.
At this time of which l write the
real crash and test of strength had |
come through love for the same girl,
niece Of mine by marriage, an orphan
whom | had adopted and who had
come to live in our pleasant house. 1t
had gradually come to tense strain
between the brothers. They hardly
spoke to each other at 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 bis real feeling Agnes, being
ike daughter to me, finally decided
to speak TO her about the matter and
called her to task for her encourage
nent Of them both, and urged her to
choose between them and end the
;train Of uncertainty.
"Oh, Aunt Fanny" she cried, II wish
could, indeed | do. | don't encourage
,ither one. / am never alone mo-
nent with one but instantly the other
and they look as IL only will
,ept them from tearing each other to '
,ieces. feel as II | could shrek
ometimes, the effort to keep peace Is t
o great. Oh, it is dreadful, dreadful! t
md what good times we used to have c
ogether! Why did they ever love me? q
don't want anybody to love me- i
md she cried like a baby, her head
urled in my lap. =
"Poor little one" | said gently, ut Is 0
ard for you, | know. But surely you 9
aust prefer one to thu other. 1t seems d
} me before this trouble came you "
sed to like one the better" and | h
aised her chin and smiled into her tt
weet blue eyes. s.
She flushed and her head dropped. Il
| used to think Theo was the dearest
Oy," she half whispered; "but, some p
Dw, Harold" -hesitatlngly. n don't d
now what Il is-he has a power Ii
mt resist, and yet I can't think 1t a
we, for as soon as be is gone I feel W
II a load had dropped from me. 81
n afraid Of, him, auntie. He fright W
IS me with his black looks; never a
IN say to him that / don't love him, st
Is all | can do to keep from saying CT
lat do" SO
Every day increased the tension. 81
eals were passed In a wretched 81. hi
nee that poor Agnes tried to relieve ~
18th pitiful little attempts at gayety ne
hich Theo made an effort to second,
1t to little purpose. All through the di
" Agnes chung to me In a sort Of II
followed me around with yo
look In her eyes that wrung my
art; but I was helpless to change nj
alters. finally determined to leave sh
E house for time at least, taking VII
gnes with me, when an urgent busl- ly.
ss matter called Harold away for pl
veral days. The whole household SCI
emed to breathe more easily when at
had gone. 1t was only by the re. to