The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-10


 So the brothers went out, still amica- ble and united, as indeed was the fact, for it was their first night together-at all events respecting each other for the similarity of their characters, and the knowledge that though each might do the world at large, neither could impose on the other. Nor indeed would they have dreamed of making the attempt
 Blood and the absence of other kindred had made Jacob and Thomas Romer very like one another. But while Thomas had the sleek, well-fed look of one who has always hunted with the pack and dwelt in cages, Jacob was the real lone wolf, even to the quick suspicious turn of head, the half-bared tooth, the ready snap; while through his youth he had underlain the vigorous brutalities of his uncle Corn of 1nchgormach, whose heir he had become. The Doctor had only fol- lowed his profession with regularity and success his practice enlarging almost au- tomatically. with the growth of an en- terprising northern seaport.
 The brothers, two alert, active men for their ages, both of height, and carry ing themselves with a certain swing Of consanguinlty, took the road to the Glebe End Gate.
 Wrapt in himself, bearing the destiny mark on his brow, his mind continually striking out and rejecting schemes, Jacob Romer was not given to regarding either the persons or the things about him-un- til that is, he had his work under his l hand. Thomas on the contrary, accus- toned to draw his conclusions and perfect his diagnoses by observations of all sorts, had his eyes everywhere.
 He walked a little behind his brother, half a pace, perhaps, while Jacob threw remarks to him over one shoulder. Thus echeloned across the path they strode on, while Doctor Tom counted the pheasants which his brother reared and preserved with such scornful care against the day when he called together his principal GUS toners and their buyers that these gen. tlemen might have the pleasure of slaughtering them.
 He noted that the road was seldom travelled save by some single light-run- ming vehicle, his brothers mai-phaeton, as he judged.
 Then quite unexpectedly they came upon lodge-gate with a brilliant show of rhododendron beds, and a promise of many clambering roses to come later in the year.
 You have beautiful place here. Jacob,' said the doctor pausing to ad- mire.
 , "Beautiful?9 the owner threw the word at him like bone at dog, "Is it? 1 had not noticed. 1 know it is the nearest way to Pit No. 2. Also the quietest. No one to spy on your comings and goings!" Quiet enough, certainly" agreed his brother And as he spoke he caught sight of the slight, vivid figure of a girl, with eyes like the dusk of pansies, who watched them from the porch of way side cottage. Why, man." he added, smiling, there is a girl whom most men would be glad to have spy upon their comings and goings!'
 Jacob Romer turned about angrily took in Vida with one sharp glance and strode on impatiently.
 Tom" he said, you always were d fool. Now you are becoming a dotard. That is the daughter of one of my work people, to whom Kahn gave the cottage because he had been long a government servant-on q lighthouse, I think "Over yonder?" questioned his brother, lifting his finger and pointing to the tall shaft of the Skerry lighthouse, for the moment touched rose marble by the set ting sun.
 'l do not know. How should I llnow?" snapped his brother T heard Kahn say old F'innan had a daughter, but I don't believe l ever set eyes on the girl be- fore! l thought she was a child in pin afores from what he said "Hum," thought his brother, 'if it were lOl TUT WILL JdCOD wrote flP-Well, never mind, it's certainly none of my business" Dr. Tom did not finish his thought, while habltually careless and wholly un- conscious, his brother strode on mutter- ing to himself. q hope Kahn has net gone. It would be just like him to run off when l want him. He does not like my coming too often-no. wonder is his motor at the office door''
 What is it that Kahn does not like?" Qlloripu the doctor only half patphipor tho words.
 "ro be interfered with" said Jacob sharply. Now, Tom I will leave you to observe the sunset while l am doing my work
 The doctor was left alone among great piles of debris which rose q hundred feet into the air. rusty wagons full of iron ore waiting to be taken to the smelting ! bank during the night. It was the hour of changing shifts The miners passed up, silent and exhausted from their la- bor as the great engine swung them into the fading light of d day they had spent in darkness. For a moment they gazed about with bewildered air. as if , scarce sure of their bearings Then they plodded off through the warm dust of the summer evening like so many tired animals, their feet falling strangely on the kindly round of the earnl. Those ar irving had lamps in their caps ready to descend. They looked banched and weary. The only difference was that the relieving shift muttered a little the one to the other in groups of two or three while those returning from underground kept wholly silent.
 But the doctor noticed the fine average muscular development of the men. "rhey are better made fellows than our East Dene and Long Morton Geordies, he thought 'They have fresh air about