Year: 1879

And the days after that, and the weeks
and the months that passed, saw two as
bright and happy lovers as ever the world
had held. And yet


And yet we find them parted, and he
living the life ofa recluse in the Australian
wilderness, with vengeful thoughts Of that
brother who had held the warmest place in
his heart, and nursing memories of wrong,
bitter thoughts of what was home.
And this is the reason why.
Early spring had come again. and the
time was fast approaching when Gerald
would claim the fulfillment of Ida's prom
Use, and she would be his own.
Love is luxurious and the man in his
soul hugs himself in the contemplation of
his promised happiness. Apart from her
who holds his heart, his best enjoyment is
in solitude and silence. Look at the youth
| lying there on his back, kicking his heels
on the grass-plat, and doing nothing but
stare up into the delicious green foliage of
the branches above him. He is in love,
and building castles in the air; not tor
greatness, nor for wealth for himself, he
only wants love in a cottage, but his castle
is built for happiness. This is selfishness,
but the unblamable selfishness of love,


So it was with Gerald and on an after
noon of the next spring time he had taken
his boat, and lying on tina seat, had let it
rock itself idly along, while he gave him
self up to the calm enjoyment of his souls
happiness.


And the boat had floated on. and lay at
last out of the running stream behind some
tall quiet reeds. which rustled round, and
made music to him. Eye, ear and sense
were wrapped in Loves Lethe stream Of
rich delightr' His was the acme of self
ishness, but he had rude awakening.


As he lay there alone in his boat, voices
came to him borne upon the air, and down
upon the stream another boat came float
ing toward him.


The occupants of that boat were Frank,
his brother, and Ida, his own afiianced
wife.


But the words that came to him-how
they dropped upon his ear, and scorched
themselves into his heart! The tones OF
the sweet, well-known voice came 10 him
across the water, and yet he could not be-
lieve that he had heard Alright. From the
very depth of his love, suspicious through
its greatness, a voice seemed to cry to him
that his brother was a traitor-that the
fair, sweet young face he called his own
was but mask hiding tickle and false
heart. And the voice cried to him, up,
up! and see loving brothers treachery!
Up, up! and look in scorn upon the face
which seemed so fair, which is so false -
Fool like, he obeyed the voice: but bet
ter far if he had turned away and closed
his ears-had shut out sense and sound.


He stretched across the boat and parted
the tall reeds which stood curtain-like be-
tween him and the unconscious speakers
beyond


There they sat-Frank in his boat, with
the sculls lying idly upon the water, and
bending before her with his hands crossed.


Slowly they came or seemed to come 10
the agonized watcher; they passed at
length, and the last words of Frank in
response to hers. and hers in reply to him
-"But what will Gerald sayp" and ''Oh,
he will be jealous but then lovers always
arep"-hung upon his ears and burned
into his heart.


False" he Kissed between his teeth;
''false to me ~


He raised his hands to heaven in strong
agony of spirit as if he would have smote
the traitor who was so treacherous, andon
his lips curse had framed itself. But it
did not pass into utterance. A second
more and his promise was strong upon
him, and the bitterness of his heart was
changed to sorrow; it wat not hatred.


With desperate energy he seized the
reeds which grew low on the water close
to the shore and pulled his boat to land;
then. springing out, he ran without ceasing
until he reached the farm.


As he entered the great kitchen he cast
hurried glance around. 1t was tenant
less, and no sound, no CHEEKY voice within
the house called him. Without the men
were working.


''Not returned he said, "Well. it's
better it should be so.'


Into the house he passed. and the door
Of his room shut heavily behind, rs if it
shut out life and hope.


One hour. two hours passed, and then he
came out and called to one of the farm
servants, bidding him to harness his horse
and bring it to the door directly.


He had passed those two hours fighting
with the agony of his heart, yet outward
ly calm. He had loved the girl with all
his manhood, and in the depth of his soul
now believed she did not love him, but
that his brother had taken his place in her
affections She should never know what
it cost him to yield to him, but his brother
he would never see again.


When Gerald left the house he was ac-
coutred for travelling. and he strobe
straight down the path to where his horse
stood


Beside it stood his brother, laughing
with the farm-servant attending the horse.


Going to town. is he ?" he was saying.
Queer, Gerald, love-mad decidedly love-
mad"


Gerald started when he heard the ring
ing tones. and the thought crossed his
mind, "is he such villianp''


Answer it he could to his SORROW and
he strobe on.


Frank met him, and exclaimed. laugh
ingly:


"Well, Gerald, your mad half hour has
certaily come now. Poor boy? l didn't
think love was such serious complaint ~
Then first he noticed his brothers alter
ed manner, and a fear that some coming
evil, he knew not what, came over him.


Gerald went straight down the path to
where his horse stood; and Frank sudden
ly Withdrawing his hands from their ac-