The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-06
THE EVENING STORY
Brothers.
tBy Oscar Gruender

Two brothers in love with one and
the same girl; three hearts fired with
the divine passion; three souls strug-
Cling with the agony of love. and hope
and fear. This was the horrible di-
lemma that fettered John and Dick
Cummings, and the beautiful, bewitch-
ing Edith Stearn.
For months it had been brewing
this immense struggle of hearts. And
yet, on the surface, there was not q
ripple. The brothers Wed desperately,
put spontaneously. Their companion
ship was NOT strained; it suffered no
spasmodic fits of jealousy or anger. The
most exemplary good-fellowship pre-
vailed, but somewhere in that good
fellowship there lurked the silent, ire
pressible conflict.
And John and Dick knew it. They
felt it. Nevertheless, the subject was
rever preached. Each. in his own way,
sought to win the laurels of love; like
wise dreading the crucial moment, for
one, only one, could win.
The climax came, suddenly and I'M
expectedly. John had come upon them
Edith and Dick-uneXpectedly, in his
own elysium a little spot in the wilder
to dream of her. When he beheld the
two, the reverie left his brain as a
rocket leaves the earth. and he sizzled
and trembled with excitement.
At once he was a frenZied caves
dropper. He must hear. Surely, he had
a right.
Cautiously he made his way through
the hedges; he drew himself forward
on his hands and knees.
He beheld them seated far apart on
the old log. Edith was plying the soft
ground with a stick. She jabbed
thoughtlessly and at random. Her soft
hazel eyes were riveted on the ground
and her attitude was pensive. Dick,
with elbows on his knees, and his chin
on his hands, was a duplicate in pen
siveness. Verify. it looked like a quar-
rel; and into Johns heart there stole
bit of diabolical joy.
Dick was the first to break the omin-
Gus silence.
you say that you love me, Edith"
he said, hoarsely, land that you do not
cannot love John. Very well. But
now bound by your very love, to eX-
plain. Now that we know and under
stand, we must confess. Deception
must cease"
yes. yes, I know" replied Edith,
digging a little more savagely. Then,
she dropped the stick,
sat down beside Dick and put her
arms around his neck. He is your
brother she said, feelingly, and oh,
how I hate to pain him. But L Will
tell him, only 1 want to break it gent
ly. I know he half eXpects-what is
that noise ?"
Nothing. nothing" broke in Dick,
was John wriggling through the
hedges. He had heard enough-too
much-already. Would he never get
out of that shrubbery?
Once clear of the spot, he threw
himself on the grass. For time he
could not think. Before his eyes there
jigged and ambled dizzy world. But,
bit by bit, the mental chaos eked it
self out, and there remained only the
realization.
This, then, was the truth. She did
not care for him after all. 1t was
Dick she loved, and Dick alone could
make her happy. But then, he could
do little, too, in making her happy.
He might go away, and save her the
pain of telling, of breaking it to him.
That would bring a little joy, any
way. OF course. she would never
know, but what did it matter? Would
ne not carry in his heart the convic-
lion that he had done something for
1er-that after all he had not loved
n vain?
Yes; there would be that conscious
ness. He told himself so, again and
again, and that he would go away. |
But where?
To the Philippines. There was some |
,alling for volunteers. He would an |
'wer the summons; he would serve |
lis country, and serve his love.
He babe adieu to Iron Grove. His !
saZe wandered TO the little spot, his |
,lysium, once. An ache stole into his |
leart. and a lump rose in his throat; /
'ut he fought it bravely, and turned |
way.
Within two hours he was back in
he city, and in the recruiting office
The examination he passed with ease.
BUT his luck did not stop at that. He |
vas told that duty began on the NOR
ow. A few weeks in an Eastern bar
ack, and then, the Philippines
no icrITk Il ,1l OF G1-t,4
he tropics. And then came visions Of
he dear fatherland. and of Edith. De
irious, kneeling. his arms outstretch-
d he beckoned her to come across tl?a
vaters- He called her by name; he
allied and called; and in his voice there
vas the wall of a broken heart.
In the morning there were a few
1ore things to pack. With alacrity he
roceeded to jam these into the trunk.
While he was thus engaged. Dick en-
Il suppose you've already heard"
aid John, tugging hard at a strap.
I've enlisted
"Enlisted!' exclaimed Dick. his eyes
tarting from their sockets.
Yes. You see. Dick, one of US ought
D go. Besides, I'm getting tired of
angling around home. I want to go
ut and see a little of the world"
But II thought you cared?" VEN
Ired Dick.
"Cared what?'' snapped John. almost
ngrily.
Dick said nothing, but Redeemed all i
yer.
II never cared-never" John gave the
razen lie with such vehemence that {
0mething like an incubus toppled off
'ick's breast. 2
But you can do me a. favor. Dick.
ou can bid her goodby. for me. You !
Sc I'll hardly have time. for the dray II /
e here presently. All. there comes my !
ian now and he yanked his trunk
1ward the door. II
''And now, Dick, 1 must say goodby."
lie put his hands on Dicks shoulders
nd looked into his eyes as if he were
int the soul of him. ..I,Ill