en this and bed-time?"

"It is bed-time now, Arthur; but I'll tell you what to do. Mr. Hull has
gone out to the opera to-night, and if we go back to the store we can be
there by ourselves. Let's go and do what we have not done in a long,
long time--sit down together like the two brothers we once were, and
talk over old scenes, old friends, and old times; will you do so?"

After a moment's hesitation, Arthur signified his consent, and they went
into the store together. Guly raked up the dying coals in the stove,
threw on some fresh anthracite, and they sat down side by side.

"Oh!" exclaimed Guly, laying his hand upon his brother's, "Arthur
doesn't this make your heart bound? There is such a glow of home about
it, such an air of other days."

Arthur sighed deeply.

"There is, indeed, Guly; this is a socialness which we have not shared
before for months, and never may again."

"Why do you speak so despondingly, Arthur? The brightness or blackness
of the future lies with ourselves, I am inclined to think; and since we
can be so happy in each others society, why should we do ought to
prevent our constantly having this enjoyment?"

"_You_ never will, Guly; it is me, all me--I have gone too far to
return. I cannot tear myself away from the bonds which are dragging me
down to destruction; evil companions, strong drink, and exciting play.
Excitement is now necessary to my existence. I cannot live without it.
This is why we have no more of this kind of enjoyment. To-night I relish
it because I'm in the humor; but as a general thing it is
unbearable--too tame and prosy."

"Oh!" exclaimed Guly, "I have so often felt that the day we left the
Hudson home was a fatal one for us. I had rather have staid there and
toiled in the most humble manner, than to have ever heard such words as
these pass your lips, and in my heart be forced to feel their truth."

"It is useless to repine, Guly. Perhaps 'tis all for the best. Sometimes
when I have looked upon your calm and tranquil face, and noted the high
principles which have governed your every action, I have felt as if I
would give worlds to be possessed of the same; but again I have thought,
perhaps you could not have been thus sustained had it not been for my
fearful example, such a terrible, terrible lesson in itself of an
undisciplined and erring heart."

Guly was silent. If this thought could afford his brother any
consolation for the downward course he had been pursuing, it