Rock Island Argus., 1913-02-01


which another source must be found
than that OF gratifed pride. A chain
had slipped from his spirit, and
though the people shrank q little even
while they cheered, it was rather from
awe Of his bearing and the recogni-
tton OF the sense of apartness which
underlay his smile than from any per
ception OF the mans real nature or OF
the avesome purpose which at that
moment exalted it But had they
known-could they have seen into this
tumEltuous heart-what a silence
would have settled upon these noisy
streets; and in what terror and soul.
confusion would each man have skunk
away from his fellows into the quiet
and solitude of his own home.
Brotherson himself was not without
q sense OF the incongruity underlying
this ovation; for, as he slowly worked
himself along. the brightness of his
! look became dimmed with a tinge OF
! sarcasm which in It's turn gave way
I 10 an expression of extreme melan.
choly-both quite unbefltting the hero
| of the hour in the first flush of his
! newborn glory. Had he seen Doris
| youthful figure emerge for q moment
/ from the vine-hung porch he was ap
/ preaching, bringing with it some doubt
of the reception awaiting him? Pos
( sibly, for he made stand before he
/ reached the house, and sent his fol.
/ lowers back; after which he advanced
with An unhurTying step. so that sew
eral minutes elapsed before he finally
drew up before Mr. Scott's door and
entered through the now empty porch
into his brothers sitting-rOOm.
He had meant 20 see Doris first. but
his mind had changed. If all passed
OF well between himself and Oswald
If he found his brother responsive
and wide-awake 70 the interests and
necessities of the hour. he might fore
so his interview with her til ne felt
better prepared to meet It. For call 1t
cowardicn or simply a reasonable pre-
caution, any delay seemed preferable
10 him in his present mood of dis
Couracement, to that final casting of
the die upon which hung so many and
such trem endous issues. 1t was the
first moment OF real halt in his whole
tumuItuogs life, Never, as daring ex-
perimen;alst or agitator, had he
shTuuk from danger seen or unseen or
from threat uttered or unuttered, as
he shrank from this young girls no:
and something OF the dread he had
felt lest he should encounter her un.
aware in the hall and so be led on to
speak when his own judgment bads
him be silent. darkened his features
as he entered his brothers presence.
But Oswald was sunk in a bitter
revery Of his own, and took no heed OF
these signs of depression. In the re-
action following these days of great
excitement, the past had re-asserted IT.
self. and all was gloom in his once
generous soul. This, Orlando had time
to perceive. quick as the change
came when his brother really realized
who his visitor was. The glad "Or
landoi" and the forced smile did not
deceive him, and his voice quavered g
the words:
Il have come TO show you what the
world says OF my invention. We vii
: soon be great men" he emphasized. az
Oswald opened the letters. Money
has been offered me and-read
read" he urged. with an unconscious
dtctatoriaIness as Oswald paused il
T his task. See what the fates have
] prepared for US; for you shall share
u all my honors. as you will from this
day share my work and enter into al
g. my experiments. Cannot you enthust
= little bit over it? Doesn't the pros
pect contain any allurement for you
[ Would you rather stay locked up il
g this petty town"
{ Yes: or-die. Don't look like that
: Orlando. 1t was a cowardly speech
and l ask your pardon. I'm hardly fl
to talk today. Edith"
Orlando frowned.
Not that nRme." he harshly inter
rupted. You must not hamper you
, life with useless memories Tha
dream of yours may be sacred, but i
belongs to the past. and great realit,
confronts you. When you have full.
recovered your health, your own man
hood will rebel at a weakness unwoT
Oswald. Take account of our pros
poets. Give me your hand and say
I Life holds something for me yet
have a brother who needs me If d
not need h'm. Together. we can prov
ourselves il-yinCibIe and wrench fam
aRd fortune ION the world
But the hand he reached for did no
rise st his command, though Oswald
started erect and faced him with mar
ly eernestness.
7 should have to think long an
deeply" he said, before took upo
myself possibilities like these
am broken IN mind and heart. Or
lando, and must remain so till Go
mercifully delivers me. l should be
poor assistant TO you-a drag. rathe
than a help Deeply as l deplore il
4 hard as 1t may be for one of YOU
temperament TO understand so con
plete an overthrow, I yet must az
knowledge my condition and pray yo
not to count upon me in any plans yo
may form. | know how this looks
know tha- as your brother and trues