THE BETTER MAN

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 413, 14 April 1904, Page 8

THE BETTER MAN

8 Bj Gilbert Davie. «

(7*SB»o»« •»* CKmtrji Sew Vorfc. KeprinWd 1^

TT WAS a perfect moonlight night, I and two people were slowiy pacing & se»lUd€d path in the grounds of ths Cliff "hot eL The man was mmmi U5 jeers of age, powerfully built, »•& n etrocg, good-looking face and 9 tr ?..u~*o complexion. His companion was f. v- ..;ig and radiantly-pretty girl, Mot «i •• Mian 21. ft

Tit-f str: ,ed for some moments in gUence. Thai man, wi:h his hands ihVu&t deep in the pockets of his jacket, wes thinking hard, thinkiug of the thing t»:a'*hau happened to hi in. Be was in love—in love with the girl ■who was walking so ca'aiiy by his Bide. And it could have no result! It WM impossible!

ttvy had come to a seat on the cliff,, and tka girl touched him lightly on the arm. He awoke from his reverie with a start.

"Ihall we sit down for a moment?" the said. "You haven't told me hall of wh»i I want to know, yet!"

He dropped into the seat by her •id*. Below them was the sea. its rippling.«*wface glittering under the light Of the moon. **

"You can't think," she continued, •miling at him frankly, "how dreadfully nervous I was when Cyril told Be you were coming to Englandl" Dalyell forced a smile. "Had he drawn such a terrible picfare of me, then?" **oh, no.! He is very proud of you—proud of what you hare done. But I thought that, perhaps—" she hesitated, and her eyes fell on her engagement ring, "that perhaps you would ■ot approve of his choice."

A sudden cold feeling crept over him.

M Who could help loving him?" she cried, eagerly. "He is so good —so aiever, so handsome!" She paused. "Weren't you pleased, after all these years, to find him as he is?" Her face, sparkling with enthusiasm, was turned appealingly to him. Be looked at her for a second, then pulled himseli- together and lied hraeely. "Yes; he is a brother any man would he glad to own!" he said, in a W)ice fba4 seemed strange to him. She did not notice it, however. Her eheeks were flushed, and she laughed ■oftly.

"I didn't know the world held such happiness!" she said, in a low tone. "As what?" He could not resist the question. ;;. "The joy ot being loved by Cyril, and she prospect of being hia wife!" she ■aid, proudly. He turned hia face away, that she might not see the bitter look that had cfept to ii. Years ago, when hardly more than a hoy, he had gone abroad. 2e had worked hard, was clever, and, -Sfcst at all, lucky. In a few years his aneerve were cor side rable, and, his father dying, he had ;,.ade an allowance of some hundr'-is .. year to his aunt for the purpose of educating his younger brother. With these funds he was swot to college, but his career there seas no* yarticukiriy brilliant. Then f» was tfecovered that he had a cravftag lew art, and he was given the best efiportunities. Dalyell, te whom money was now but a secondary object, good-naturedly continued the allowance. Occasionally Cyril wrote enthusiastic letters about his progress,tmt they always contained a request for more money, and Dalyell, sitting alone in his bungalow some thousands ef miles away, would smile contemptuously and sign a check. Immediately on landing, Cyril had insisted on dragging him down to Darncomb*, where Mndr- Escott, to whom he h?id lately became engaged, at'i her aunt were staying. They had heen toother a day or two, then Cjy-ff

had go** to London a comC mission jStfrtraft, leaving him b«-~fcffr4i-itf««i tec days ha had practice!:.. beea with her. She felt t"u«i i-yril had left him in her care, sol had devoted all her time to him; M 9& this had been the result—be bad fallen madly in lore with her I ."May I tell you a secret?*' *.» He pare a slight start as her gentle

Voice fell on bis ears. He turned bis If ad, and saw a shy smile bad crept pvcsj; her pure young face. vp»!" he said, with an effort. "«VrU said last week," she went on, ''that he is making so much money at bis painting that he wants the marriage to be next month!" He felt a slight shiver run through him. His brother was lying even tc her. He knew very well that his earnings from his brush formed but the ihnhJtest part of his income. For the rest hs was dependent upon him. **Y*h» will, of course, be his besi man," she cried, gayly. "And you'll have to come and stay with us—very aften!" %- Dalyell made up his mind. » **l am very sorry," he began, haltingt% ♦*Bnt—l'm afraid I shall not tx ftbte t* stop for the marriage!" t Her eyes opened in amazement. I , 'Sdt stop for the marriage?" *ht repeated. "Why?" He hesitated for a moment, thei faced her resolutely. "I find I shall have to go back tc Inifev," he said, between his teeth Th*rt~e are a lot of important thing: to be seen to, and —well, 1 have decidet, to leave next weekl" he finished Abruptly. 9 He saw her face cloud "with disap pointment. "I bad been hoping so—1" she be na, then she broke off with a cry o mpriie. "Why, here'* Cyril!" aht .«&i4> v.;a-.ib -..■.-■■;"iv, l ".-rfftW. -

Sre rose' from her seat and ran !'•:>..; '. priili to i-ti'Pt h'in. Dulyct; »iiv her Sink her r.nu affectionately villus L'a, and together them came u\var»l him. "ife!lo, Dick, old chap!" he cried, >c:_\■•s'.'y. "5 through with tl>.e job nrlli ■• ;!::>•> I expected, arid £0 rav :««-;i :<i-'i.:!t. Has Madge been !ookng :.".••;• von v. •"!?'' he added, with i ;;;•'; ;;'. The girl on his arm. "She has ! e.-n very kind!" answered Dalyell, qnkfly. The younger man shot a keen glance it him. "Oh. Cyril, whnl do you think?" ?ri--ci Madge. "He says he must go bark to India next week —not stop for uur marriage!" "Why. what's this, Dick?" lie asked. There was a curious light in the rounger DalyeH's eyes as he glanced across nx his brother.

Dalyell pulled a ciges? out of Mb locket.

"I'll tell you about it later," he laid.

He left them and made his way out of the grounds and iliwn to the beach. For a full hour h*> strode up and down, leep in thought. He h:<d done right. It was better to leave England for ?ood. Perhaps he had been unjust to Cyril. If he loved Madge, perhaps he would do his best to make her happy. At any rate, he, Dick Dalyell, would io his" best. He would double Cyril's illowance.

At length he made his way back to the hotel. Presently he found himself agsin on the cliff, this time alone with Cyril. The two paced the path in silence for a few moments. Cyril, who wa6 smoking, now and again shot a glance at his brother from under his eyelids.

"Why are you going hack to India?" he asked, suddenly. Dalyell looked out to sea. "Oh, there are a lot of things 1 must attend to," he said, rather lamely. "It's a lie!" said Cyril, very quietly. Dick Dalyell swung round on him in astonishment. "What do you inean?" he asked, sharply. "Simply this," Iks brother answered, •ftlmiy. "That yeu are going beek to Ind ; a because you have fallen iesp»rately in love with Madge!" Then his tone changed. "Did you think yon could deceive me?" he cried, triumphantly. "I've seen it in every look you've given her—every word you've "snoken. You're going back because mu're afraid of yourself—it's right. ?<m*S it?" He caught his brother's arm snd peered into his face. "Quite right, eh?"

Dick Dalyell shook himself free of the grasp; there wa* a gleam in his eye.

"Yes, it's rig**," ke cried, passionately. "I love her—love her as I thought no woman could be loved!" His voice dropped, and he contiuuedt "But there is no harm done. She doe? not know —will never know^ —and in a week I shall be on my way back to India."

The younger man was looking search ingly at him. "You need not —unless you particularly want to," he said, in a meaning tone.

"What!" cried Dick, looking at hint quickly. A look of Infinite cunning crept over Cyril's face. "I mean that if you'll agree to my terms, I'll retire, and leave the field clear for you," he said.

Dalyell looked at him stonily. Hie broth• r took it for encouragement. "It was her face —her simplicity, that took rry fancy!" he went on, frankly. "But I'm tired of her —I could never have really loved her. Now, there is another—the woman whose portrait I have been painting. She is rich, in love with me, ready to marr3" mc aad go abroad." He approached nearer to his brother. "Make it £5,000," he said.

Daly-ill elenched his hands. "My God —you blackguard,!" """ Yo'.:ii(,' Cyril Dalyell smiled. "Yes," he adii;"t:«*d. impudently. "And utterly uiidc.-*'rv;n:r <<{ Marine Kscotjt. You are the reverse—so. wis'nut accept my i>i'er, and rt-ms'n inhere. Give her a few months, and v will sue coed." A feeling of mud passion suddenly overcam: Dick Dalyell. With a sudden movement he stepped forward and caught his brother by the throat. "You think I would do fliis ihin-rl" be said, thickly." They were stand'tijr at the corner of the path, in fr..;. r ;. some bushes. There was a quiest rustling noise, and the next mnmcu some one laid a har.d on D!e!< i-rsiy.'S!" arm. He gave one ;r!anee, then suddenly let go his grip. Before them stood Madge Escott. white to the lips, her eyes wet with tears.

"I was coming to call you in," she slid, tremblingly. "I had nearh reached you when some words caugh my ears. I had to listen —I have hearu all!"

Then she turned to the younger man, who stood cowering a few yard: away. She drew herself up, and her eyes flashed. "I can only thank Heaven that I have found you out in time!" she said. "1 shall never see you again!" She moved her head and her eyes met Dick Dalyell's. He was gazin;. at her intently. For a second they remained thus, then she took a stej forward and held out her hand. "Good-by!" she said, with a sob. "J am sorry!" She turned and vanished down the path.

Liberal it jr. Gilpin—l saw a nice, kind lady give a poor little boy a nickel this inori ing. Mrs. G : !j'in--Dtar. sivp 11—c-tun. "Yes; ihi poor kid car; • < her thr- < satchels a mile iu tin. U.i,, —i.uium bos (0.) State Journal.