Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-04-25
a nj IA N N ~ n ~ n n M I'M
HIS BROTHER y y
BY AGNES G. BROGAN. n


II was HIS DTOtHeT. mat maze the
great difference. Often he had read
of tragedies and passed them by. But
Barney-the bright lad, upon whom he
had lavished every care for whom he
had made Il life sacrifce--Barney &c
die there in the Canadian wood where
both had been happy together, and tc
die by his own voitlon
The disgrace which went before
seemed naught in comparison with this
bitter finale. 1t would be a simple
matter TO replace the money which
Barney had dishonesty confiscated for
his own use. Barney might have
known that he, Dave, would forgive
the forging of his name. Dependency
alone could have driven the youth 10
the desperation of that last deed The
woman was to blame, of course. Dave
was sure of that. How openly Barney
had prated of his love for her. 1t had
been to gain her favor that the man
had taken sums which could not be re-
placed. This last scrubbed note told
how all costly gifts had been returned.
pathetically-"and never did. There's
some unconscious charm about her
that draws every man-guess it's in
her eyes"
The note had been in Barney's pock-
ct; they brought that and his watch to
Dave from the rock beside the whirl-
pool "Good-by," it ended. I'm going
to drown myself here"
Barney had always been impulsive,
so Dave excused various escapades of
the past. To bring his young brother
safely through these adventures had
been Dawes part. Perhaps parent
might have acted more wisely. Dave
didn't know; he had done his best.
A desire possessed him to visit that
lonely spot where he might come upon
news of his brothers. last days-so
David went. The violets were purpling
the hillsides, the well-remembered
wood was fragrant with promise, the
waters Kissed in the whirlpool from
which the big man turned with shud-
der. Near by was the boulder where
Dawes eyes widened in surprise. A
young woman sat there nova beau
tiful woman, alone in all the solitude.
Her bronze golden head was bent
above some gray knitting, and without
apparent embarrassment she raised
clear gray eyes regarding the man be-
fore her, then her needles again
clicked methodically But with that
steady gaze enchantment came over
Dave. Some influence, he knew not
what, was persuading him to confide
in this girl-to unburden the sorrow
which he had borne in silence-to
learn if she of the wise eye considered
his indulgence and not Barney's reck-
1essness to blame. SO, when she arose
to go, he detained her with questions.
Had she heard of a tragedy here?
Had she any knowledge of the young
man who had come to this spot to lose
his life?'
The girl had heard She hesitated,
evidently considering him a detective.
"There was nothing that she knew but
what had been told"
Dave decided to stay for time in
the spot which held him in hopeful
fascination. As days went by he
might learn more; some further mes
sage might be found. He obtained
board at the oldtime stopping place
and every morning, when he made his
way to the boulder. he found the girl
there before him. She made no ex-
cuse for her presence, nor changed her
favorite place because of his invasion.
Dave leaned back upon mound OF
pine needles, talking slowly, and as
he had never talked before, of his life
with Barney, the boys college days,
his first venture into business. The
girl, folding her knitting, would listen
with thoughtful eyes upon him. The
eyes stirred David's honest heart with
an unaccountable longing. He knew
that true love had found him at last,
and WINGED at the pain of renunciation.
The girls face grew white at the
story of his love, and she did what no
one but this girl could have done
she bent very swiftly and kissed him.
Then she was gone. When David came
next morning to the boulder piece
of white paper fluttered beneath
weighted stone. Picking It up, he read
one written line:
81" said the note, lam the girl your
brother loved.n That was all.
Dayid's throat smarted-his eyes
burned. 1t was inconceiyable. She
and that heartless triaer the same
He must 20 away at once. But David
did not go. The girl stood before MIN
her eyes again held his.
II could not help his loving me-
she said slowly. Odd not wish IT.
The gifts he would bring returned
Suddenly her breath caught in a chok-
ing sob. She held out her arts. But
David stood resolutely from her.
81 believe you" he answered firmly.
al love you; but with that thought be-
tween us"-he pointed to the foaming
whirlpool-'we could never know hap
piness."
Then before them stood Barney
Barney, not an apparition, but in the
flesh and smiling. Take her Dave,