Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-10-18
DAILY SHORT STORY
a CASE IN DUPLICATE.
fOriginai..l

four years older than Howard, but
looked younger. Ele hadl been injured
when a child, andt this had retarded
his development. When he was seven
years old AZ cyclone passed over the
town where's they lived, leaving the
swath of a sgigant5c scythe behind it
The brothers had been left alone q
the house. Henry Fin charge OF it ard
OF his little brother Howard. vt the
time of the passage of the whirlwi.nd
Howard.was asleep. Feeling the hoaIse
crashing down supon them, III enry
planted himself iabove his younger
brother to protect 'hin. When several
hours later, they We're taken out from
under the fallen timbers, Howard was
found TO besunhurt, but HenryShad re-
ceived severe injuries.
And now at twenty six and twenty
two respectively Henry was small and
thin and pale, Howard weSl devel-
oped, stalwG't man. Henry felt the
same affection for hisibrotheT1as when
he had saved him from death. Howard
lived under a constant reminder OF the
sacrifice Henry had made for him, and
il was hisSaim 10 heap benefits upon
the brotherf who had; taken the burden
that had permitted his own develop
ment Howard was never $50 well
pleased as, at discovering some want
of Henry'S, that he. could supply. The
pair were sobserVed by their frieudss
who said that if 'one brother married
the other would receive a blow from
which he would meyer recover.
Fortunately they both fell i'll love 'at
the same time and with sisters. Henry
became engaced 10, Della Martin. and
Howard soon aftersbecame engaged to
her sister Beue. 1t was said that
Howard propO sed to the sister of his
brothers fanc,e TO save himself from
being left with, no one 10 love. How
ever this may be. both brothersiseemed
satisfied.
Henry Corw fth. deprived of the
physique with 8hich to live a strenu-
Gus life. foundi compensation i'll art.
After learning. all of his profession
that could be sdrawn from American
preceptOrs lac IN.solved to go abroad To
study. Belle Martin possessed musical
tastes and concluded 10 take IL course
Of music i'll Germany. 1t was agreed
that the two should cross the ocean in
the same vessel land upon arrival Hen
~ was 10 20 tOjPariS, Belle to Berlin.
They sailed i'll the autumn and We're
10 return tie following summer.
Howard COrw1th endured the separa-
ton from his BROTHER aIal his tancee as
best he could. Howard and Della had
common interest and naturally turn
ed To each other for comfort. Each
found III the other listener into
MI, Gtn Of ca1
separation. Howard talked of Belle.
and Della talllel of Henry. The inter
change of sympathy was perfect.
Ten months passed. Henry and
Belle wrote urlt they would meet in
southampton anld return on the same
steamer Towards friends, when APP
pIised of his bEDtherS and his fiancee's
return oaIgra tJigated him warmly, but
Howard, inStead.Of looking happy over
the approaching. reunion. wore a trou-
bIcl look. AS the time for the absent
ones return dIew near this evidence
of some secret,dr increased, and on
the day of the':urival Howard seemed
threatened with nervous prOstration.
Della Martin went to New York to
meet her sister. the two girls having
arranged to pass Il few days in the
Y.
lie was not well enough 10 go on to
meet his brother and his fiancee, and
Henry on reaching port took the first
train home. Howard drove to the sta
ton for him. At their meeting Henry
noticed that Howard looked right past
him, avoiding meeting his eye. Henry
sighed and bent his head. The pres
sure of hands was cold and the meet
ing entirely devoid of warmth. AS
they drove home together Henry said:
Fletcher came TO see you, 1 suppose,
and brought you the commissions j
gave him for yOu?"
Yes"
Henry sighed and gazed far away.
FLETCHER told me all about you," said
Howard.
so / supposed" said Henry.
1T was a pleasant season for you
and Belle TO be together in Switer-
land"
Fletcher spoke OF it?''
Yes
BY this time they reached the house
and, alighting, went into the library,
where they had so often smoked and
talked and exchanged condolences.
Then Henry said:
Howard. this thing IS kiSng you"
How did you know it," Howard
asked, quickly looking up ct his
brother.
Il knew Fletcher would give you
the facts" replied Henry without no
ticing the question. Il saw what was
on your mind the moment arrived"
You are right in assuming that IL Is
killing me. To think that you who have
borne the burden for me all these years
and must always bear Ii should have
such a brother
What do you mean, HowardT'
Il mean that / am a dog. You know
IL as well as I. But what could I do?
We have been thrown together con-
stautlv ever since voi1 and RaIla want