ame when his brother really realised who his visitor was. The
glad "Orlando!" and the forced smile did not deceive him, and his voice
quavered a trifle as he held out his packet with the words:

"I have come to show you what the world says of my invention. We will
soon be great men," he emphasised, as Oswald opened the letters. "Money
has been offered me and--Read! read!" he urged, with an unconscious
dictatorialness, as Oswald paused in his task. "See what the fates have
prepared for us; for you shall share all my honours, as you will from
this day share my work and enter into all my experiments. Cannot
you enthuse a little bit over it? Doesn't the prospect contain any
allurement for you? Would you rather stay locked up in this petty
town--"

"Yes; or--die. Don't look like that, Orlando. It was a cowardly speech
and I ask your pardon. I'm hardly fit to talk to-day. Edith--"

Orlando frowned.

"Not that name!" he harshly interrupted. "You must not hamper your life
with useless memories. That dream of yours may be sacred, but it belongs
to the past, and a great reality confronts you. When you have fully
recovered your health, your own manhood will rebel at a weakness
unworthy one of our name. Rouse yourself, Oswald. Take account of our
prospects. Give me your hand and say, 'Life holds something for me yet.
I have a brother who needs me if I do not need him. Together, we can
prove ourselves invincible and wrench fame and fortune from the world.'"

But the hand he reached for did not rise at his command, though Oswald
started erect and faced him with manly earnestness.

"I should have to think long and deeply," he said, "before I took upon
myself responsibilities like these. I am broken in mind and heart,
Orlando, and must remain so till God mercifully delivers me. I should be
a poor assistant to you--a drag, rather than a help. Deeply as I deplore
it, hard as it may be for one of your temperament to understand so
complete an overthrow, I yet must acknowledge my condition and pray you
not to count upon me in any plans you may form. I know how this looks--I
know that as your brother and truest admirer, I should respond, and
respond strongly, to such overtures as these, but the motive for
achievement is gone. She was my all; and while I might work, it would be
mechanically. The lift, the elevating thought is gone."

Orlando stood a moment studying his brother's face; then he turned
shortly about and walked the length