r until now; but when I see a
girl walk right away from me, and refuse to wait for me to go home with
her, and go straight off to another man, never mind if he was my father,
instead of my brother, I don't mean to break my heart about her.
Besides, I'm disappointed in her, and that's the truth. I thought she
was as modest as the moon; but I never saw the moon walk out of her
straight path to go after another planet, and no girl that I have
anything to say to, shall go after another man. So you're welcome to
her, though I'll say this, that I never saw the woman yet I loved so
well, and believe she's as good as gold, as pure as that same moon, but
as cold as ice itself; at least, so I've found her, perhaps you've a
warmer experience.'

As soon as Owen paused in his rapid speech, Rowland paused in his walk,
and putting his hand on Owen's shoulder, said,--

'This is a misapprehension, my dear Owen; you and I are thinking of a
different person.'

'I am thinking of Gladys,' said Owen bluntly, 'and repeat that I love
you both too well to come between you and happiness.'

'I am sure of that, Owen, you have no selfishness about you; but I do
not love Gladys. I never thought of her except as a beautiful and
superior girl, thrown by Providence amongst us, and to be treated with
kindness and consideration. I only hope my manner to her has never
indicated anything else.'

'Do you mean what you say?' said Owen, jumping up from his chair, and
cutting a caper, 'then shake hands, and tell me you forgive me for being
so hasty.'

They shook hands heartily, and Rowland said,--

'Thank you, Owen, you have done me good; now go away, and I will write
my sermon.'

'Not before I know what is the matter with you, and why Gladys went
across on purpose to walk home with you.'

After much hesitation, and some pressing on the part of Owen, Rowland
told his brother what had passed between him and Miss Gwynne. When he
had made a clean breast of it, he felt as if relieved of half his
load--especially when Owen assured him that women were all alike, and
that when you asked them the first time, they were as proud as Lucifer.

'It is first and last with me, Owen. I have forgotten my position, my
profession, my own dignity in giving way to a passion that I had no
right to suppose could be returned. I will crush it, and nobody but you
shall ever know of its existence. This struggle over, and I shall hope
henceforth to have but one Master and to