Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-05-03
His Brothers
Sacrifice.
BY FRANK JONES



AIHEN Charles was born within
w two years of his brother Alec
their mother remarked that, at any
rate, they would grow up to be com
rades. What she could not foresee
was that In Charles was to he vested
all strength Of character. all sacrifice.
From schooldays 1t was Charley
who had to keep an eye on Alec;
Charley who had to protect him from
resenting schoolmates who had been
the victims of Alec's pranks.
Hes always been little mother
to Alec" their mother once said fond
ly, and saw no harm in 1t. Fortunate.
ly, perhaps, she died before she had
reason to consider her first born other
than the apple of her eye.
Her death occurred when the boys
were respectively fourteen and twelve,
and resulted In Alec's being sent to
an uncle's In the country while
Charles remained with his father,
The next six years passed quickly
for the boy who had stayed ut home
He got creditably through high school
and went into the local bank with the
dream of eventually getting large
enough salary to ask Anne Holcomh
to marry him.
Every week since their separation
he had written Alec. He had never
mentioned Anne for the simple rea-
son that he would not have expected
Alec to be remotely interested In his
hopes and plans. Furthermore, the
very name was so dear that he
breathed 1t to himself only.
Busy one morning at his work at
the teller's window, he was suddenly
and tremendously surprised to look up
into the face OF his brother Alec,
grown into handsome young rascal
"Alecl" he cried.
"Rightol" Alec grlnned "Ran
down to give the old home town the
once over before going on to the big
city. And, by the way, stopped in
at the drug store for a milk shake,
Who might the little cashier BET"
Charley's heart lost beat. miss
Anne Holcomb," he said slowly.
Him." said Alec, Same" Then he
shrugged his shoulders. "See you la
ter" And he sauntered out.
The next few weeks were n night.
mare to Charley. Fond as he was of
Alec, he found himself continually
wishing that his brother would make
good his intention to clear out to the
city. Instead, he fingered on.
1t wasn't as II Charles could claim
any prior right to Anne. Beyond
calling on her rs frequently as he
could, he had given no other evidence
that she was the girl he had chosen
to be his wife.
Therefore, when Alec came to him
and told him that he had decided to
apply for a Job as clerk In the hard
ware store and settle down in the old
with Anne, Charley could utter no
protest.
Worse than that, his conscience
whispered that this might be the max
ing Of Alec. Surely, 1t was better
thnn drifting unframed and un
equipped, to the city. Suppose that
by sacrificing himself, he could save
his brother. Should he do It? Years
OF unselfsh living prompted but one
answer.
lie stayed away from Anne. He
avoided any conversation with his
brother which might give an Oppor-
tunlty for bringing in her name. AS
far ms possible, he tried to Danish her
image from his mind.
Then one evening Alec himself
brought up Anne's name. II am ask
ing little Anne to the Legion ball,
he announced. Are you taking any
bOdy?"
Charles, although his heart turned
over inside OF him, managed an of
hand answer. "Pm not worrying yet
about II, old man"
The Legion ball was the towns out
standing annual social event Every
girl hoped to be asked to 1t.
Charles dutlfully bought ticket
with every Intention OF remaining at
home. Later, 1t occurred to him that
he could not live out his life In this
small town and not attend any of Its
social functions for fear Of meeting
Anne. Therefore, he ought to school
himself to such encounters and the
ball offered an opportunity to begin.
He put Off going, however, until the
last possible moment. In fact, when
he arrived the grand march was al
ready forming.
Suddenly, he saw his brother in an
opposite corner alone. Going over to
him, "Why aren't you In the grand
marchf" he asked. mentally adding
"wlth Anne"
Little Anne wouldn't go with me-"
he said dourly. "TOld me as much
a week ago but wouldn't believe her.
BY the way, she's crazy about some
local guy and I wouldn't be at all
surprised III you ARE the one"
Charley had grown white. "Whai
do you meant" he asked.
"Well, | asked her n II was be
cause Of somebody else and she adj
mitted 1t was. And put two and
two together. meaning that remark
and n picture ~ you | happened nc.
cidentnlly to see In u book ns book
mark. and all | cuD say Is that you're
decent scout letting me pOach on
your preserves and ! hope you get
her"
These words ~ his brother were no
small part Of ti lr'ey's reward.
Tie ret Of II came when half an
hour later Aia' proved that Alrc's
suspicious had been correct. 1T was
lovely Of yol 10 want to mcrlhce
yourself CiaI he told him sweet
ly, "3ll ,..y HrI.ice mef"
m 70 unauvuoUnu