THE BETTER MAN

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 429, 11 August 1904, Page 8

THE BETTER MAN

Bj Gilbert Itejlc

f Country, Sew York. KeDrtcievl bx Special Permlnlon.) IT WAS a perfect moonlight night, and two people were slowly pacing a taaluded path in the grounds of the Bamsombe Cliff hotel. The man was *k** l 35 years of age, powerfully built, wf&& * atcong, good-looking face and ft DfoiMd complexion. His companion m*9 a'youmf and radiantly-pretty girl, Siot more than 21.

Thujr strolled for some momenta in Silence. The man, w;:h his - hands thrust deep in the pockets of his jack-* •t, was thinking hard, thinking of the thing that had happened to him. He was in lore—in love with the girl who was walking so calmly by his aide. And it could have no result! It wm impossible 1 tThay had come to a seat on the cliff, snd the girl touched him lightly on t*« arm. He awoke from his reverie With a start. "•hall ww sit down for a moment?" Che saii. "You haven't told me half of what I want to know, yet!" He dropped into the seat by her aide. Below them was the sea, its rippling.savrf ace glittering under the light Of the moon.

"You can't think," she continued, smiling at him frankly, "how dreadfully nervous I was when Cyril told me you were coming to England I" Dalyeli forced a smile. "Had he drawn such a terrible picture of me, then?" *

"Oh, no! He is very proud of you — proud of what you have done. But I thought that, perhaps—" she hesitated, and her eyes fell on her engagement ring* "that perhaps you would Hot approve of his choice." A sudden cold feeling crept over trim.

"Who could help loving him?" she irUd, eagerly. "He is so good —so ■lever, to 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 himself together and lied fcrawly. "Yes; he is a brother any man would he glad to own!" he said, in a voice fha4 seemed strange to him. She did not notice it, however. Her cheeks were flushed, and she laughed softly. "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 of being loved by Cyril, and the prospect of being his wife!" she said, proudly. He turned his faoe away, that she might not see the bitter look that had crept to ik Years ago, when hardly more than a boy, he had gone abroad. He had worked hard, was clever, and, best of all, lucky. In a few years his mean* were considerable, and, his father dying, he had made an allowance of gome hundreds a year to his aunt If or the purpose of educating his younger brother. With these funds he was Mat to college, but his career there was ns4 particularly brilliant. Then ft w»s discovered that he had a cravkag lar art, and he was given the best opportunities. Dalyeli, to whom money was now but a secondary object, good-naturedly continued the al'."wance. Occasionally Cyril wrote enthusiastic letters about his progress, but they always contained a request for more money, and Dalyeli, sitting alone in his bungalow some thousands •f miles away, would smile contemptuously and sign a check.

Immediately on landing, Cyril had Insisted him down to Darneombe, where Madge Escott, to whom he had lately become engaged, and her aunt were staying. They had been together a day or two, then Cyril had f o*e to London to execute a commission for a portrait, leaving him behind, and for ten days he had practically been alone with her. She felt that Cyril had left him in her care, asj had devoted all her time to him; uh this had been the result—he had fallen madly in love with her I "May I tell you a secret?" »' He gave a slight start as her gentle Toice fell on his ears. He turned his M»ad, and saw a shy smile had crept her pure young face. < 9»!" he said, with an effort. said fast week," she went on, •"that he is making so much money at his painting that he wants the marriage to be nerl irunth!"

He felt a sligh: shiver run through him. His brother was lying even tc her. He knew v r-y well that his earnings from his brush formed but the slightest part of his incomij. For the rest ke was dependent upon him.

"Y«« will, of course, be his besf man," the cried, jjayly. "And you'l! have to come and stay with us—very rery often!" Dalyell mada up his mind. "I am Terr sorry," he be,,an, halting\j. "Bat—l'm afraid I shall not b« able t* stop for the marriage!" Her eyes opened in amazement, "Bat Btop for the marriage?" «ht repeated. "Why?" He hesitated for a moment, thei faced her resolutely. "I find I shall have to go back tc 1n34a," he said, between his teeth Th-at» are a lot of important thing: to be seen to, and —well, I have decidec to leave next week!" b& finished abruptly. *■• He saw her faoe cloud with disap pointment. "I had been hoping so—I" she be fan, then she broke off with a cry o" ■*rpri«e, ".Why, aere's Cyrill" "sht :.kv. -

•»*«» for sevt-re colds, p~2**isttnt o.*^^. 3 7t i a preventive c* jv -romooia. It is the mothers' favoui* > for Tchocpirg MMb. It always i «es ssd carts

She rose from her seat and ran long the path to c:eet him. Dalyeli aw her link her arm affectionately, vithin h"s, and together them came owar«l aim. 6» "Hello, Dick, old chap!" he cried, ►oyishly. "I got through with the heartier than I expected, and so r:i: lown to-night. Has Madge been looknvr after you weil?" he added, with i smiie at the girl on his arm. "She has been very kind!" answered Dalyeli, quietly. The younger man shot a keen glance it him. "Oh, Cyril, what do you think?" *ried Madge. "lie says he must go back to India next week —not stop for our marriage!" "Why. what's this. Dick?" he asked. There was a curious light in tinpounger Dalyell's eyes as "he glanced lcross at his brother. Dalyeli pulled a cigar out of his locket. "I'll tell you about it later," he =aid. He left them and made his way out of the grounds and down to the beach. For a full hour he strode up and down, ieep in thought. He had done right. It was better to leave England for ?6od. Perhaps he had been unjifst to Cyril. If he loved Madge, perhaps he would do his best to make her happy. \t any rate, he, Dick Dalyeli, would lo his best. He would double Cyril's illowance.

At length he made his way back to the hotel. Presently he found him self ag-in on the cliff, this time alone with Cyril. The two paced the path in silence for a few moments. Cyril, who was smoking, now and again shot a glance at his brother from under his eyelids. * "Why are you going back to India?" he asked, suddenly. Dalyeli looked out to sea. "Oh, there are a lot of things I must attend to," he said, rather lamely. "It's a lie!" said Cyril, very quietly. Dick Dalyeli swung round on him in astonishment. "What do you mean?" he asked, sharply. "Simply this," bam broth«r answered, ealmly. "That yeu are going ba«k to India because you have fallen despsrately in love with Madge!" Then his tone changed. "Did you think you could deceive me?" he cried, triumphantly. "I've seen it in every look you've given her—every word you've spoken. You're going back because you're afraid of yourself—it's right, isn't it?" He caught his brother's arm and peered into his face. "Quite right, eh?" Dick Dalyeli shook himself free of the grasp; there was a gleam in his eye. "Yes, it's rigS*," he cried, passionately. "I love her—love her as I thought no woman could be loved!" His voice dropped, and he continued: "But there is no harm done. She does not know—will never know—and in a week I shall be on my way back to India." The younger man was looking searchingly at him. "You need not —unless you particularly want to," he said, in a meaning tone.

"What!" cried Dick, looking at him 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 lelear for you," he said. Dalyeli looked at him stonily. His brother took it for encouragement. "It was her face —her simplicity, that took my fancy!" he went on, frankly. "But I'm tired of her—l 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 marry me and go abroad." He approached nearer to his brother. "Make it £5,000," he said. 3 Dalyeli clenched his hands. "My God—you blackguard!" he said, hoarsely. Young Cyril Dalyeli smiled. "Yes," he admitted, impudently. "And utterly undeserving of Madge Escott. You are the reverse—so, why not accept my offer, and remain or. here. Give her a few months, and you will succeed." A feeling of mad passion suddenly overcame Dick Dalyeli. With a sudden movement he stepped forward and caught his brother by the throat. "You think I would do this thing!" he said, thickly. They were standing at the corner of the path, in front of some bushes. There was a quick, rustling noise, and the next moment some one laid a hand on Dick Dalyell's arm. He gave one glance, 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 nearly reached you when some words caughmv ears. I had to listen—l have heard ali!"Then she turned to the youngei man, who stood cowering a away. She drew herself up, and hei eyes Hashed. "I can only thank Heaven that Ihavtfound you out in time!" she said. "J shall never see you again!" She moved her head and her eyes met Dick Dalyell's. He was gazinp at her intently. For a second the;, remained thus, the?: she took a stej forward and held our her hand. "Good-by!" she silt;', with a sob. "J am sorry!" She turned and vanishec down the path. Lil>eralijy. Gilpin—l saw a nice, kind lady give a poor little boy a nickel this morn ing. ** Mr*. Gilpin—Dear, swo ■■ ■■ -■-.• ( bus (O.) State Journal.