The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-10-07

credence. The words of scorn hurled
at him were only excelled by the un-
just charges of which he had been re-
ported guilty. To add Goals to the fire
Of contumely, bills which. his brother
had contracted, for wine and other un-
necessary luxuries, we're thrust under
his nose. With an expIetive his father
said: "You can 90 to hell, and take
with you the wench of your debased
choice, for this house will not hold
both you and me-" With this he left
him to his own communing.
The reader will perhaps wonder why
Dick was silent under all the accusa-
tions hurled against his character. He
knew that of all the charges against
him his brother was guilty and yet not
one word would he say to contradict.
In the first place his silence was borne
in order that his mother, in whore
heart he knew he could only take a
secondary position, would not be
grieved. Her health was extremely
delicate and he knew that knowledge
of Be1t's shortcomings would mean
her death. Secondly, out of the gre at
love he himself bore his brother he was
hopeful that his sacrifices would ulti-
mately result in abandonment of those
evil habits of which the after taste is
so bitter. Whether his reasoning was
at fault and his noble efforts to save
his brother were mistakes, is not for
the historian to judge, but only to re-
late the facts in as limited a compass
as possible.
After Dicks interview with his IA
ther the resolve took shape that happi-
ness could be found for him away-far
away-from the maddening crowd.
from society and from all it's exacting
requirements, provided his Marjorie
was with him. The more readily did
he decide on his plan when she cheer
fully expressed her willingness to go
with him anywhere. To his father he
was as an absolute stranger and to his
affectionate and forgiving spirit such a
life was intolerable. Putting together
only 4 few necessaries he visited his
brother to tell of his resolve and to
plead with him earnestly tor his future.
In spirit of justification for his de-
termination to leave home he pointed
out how impossible it would have leen
to continue his home connections, for
under no circumstances would his ia
ther sanction his marriage, which, in
confidence, he confided to his brother
would take place that same evening
"Now, Bert" said Dick, "when l am
gone the estate will revert to you, that
is, if no one hears of me for period OF
seven years, when shall be presume
to be legally dead. Then you must
take my place. / would rather-faI
rather-live the life of Nomad, with
Marjorie, and let the world speak evi
of me than give our mother cause fol
grief by learning of your follies. The
last thing ask you to do is to meet
Marjorie tonight and take her to The
Atlas Hotel. l have few matters tt
attend to, but shall be with you b!
9 o'clock, having arranged for minis
ter to meet me at that hour"
All the persuasion and all the prom
ises made by Bert, for his future he
havior, failed to divert his brother from
his plans and Bert was compelled t.
comfort himself with the thought tha
, future years might bring change il
his fathers attitude and possibly for
giveness also of the forthcoming mar
riage.
AS agreed, Bert awaited Marjorie
arrival at the depot. So much alik
were the two brothers that at first eve
, she, was about to enclose Bert in he
, arms and then laughingly she remark
ed: "Love may be blind, but my hear
? could not deceive me-" Scarcely ha
these two arrived at the hotel when
rushed Marjorie's father who had bee
: tracking her since she left her hom
: two days previously. With him was
Judge, whom he had either bribed {
!. terrified to do his will. Not heedin
: his daughters assurance that she We
going to legally marry Dick at 9 o'clocl
he stated: "It Is all q pack Of lies
q you are q worthless hussy-your al
! parent love for Dick is all blind an
: you are trying even to deceive me, {
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