The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-06-13

became somewhat quiet, as plying angel
might. Oh, the contrast sho made of him
Oh, the mighty triumph of love, that she
had not turned away in disgust
AS soon as she could, she took his head
in her lap, and said in low, firm voice:
"Vinton, how did it happen? Tell me
all"
Nothing much happened, he hiccough-
ed. Met some friends at Harry Hills
took a little too much-that's
"Harry Hills" she muttered, as if some
new light was dawning upon her.
l have dwelt too long upon these painful
scenes, but they seem burnt in upon my
memory, and my mind will revert to them,
even though to think of them is torture.
He was not violent, though somewhat OBJ
stinate and profane. At last she got him
to bed, and he fell into heavy stupor.
AS she returned to me in the dining room,
where there was a fire, l said:
81 will not leave you tonight"
She thanked me by silent pressure of
my hand, and we sat down together to
WdtCu tOScluCl do UCiolC, UuO WIN eh0
awful certainty of evil instead of its s1pec-
tation. In the depths of my soul l trem-
bled for her. She might stand one or two
such shocks, but the moment she lost faith
in her husbands will or power 10 refrain
from the cause of its present condition, she
would die. Her hold upon life was fragile
as it was weak.
She stepped to her husbands side from
time to time, and then came and sat down.
Her brows were contracted as if in deep
thought or the formation of a purpose.
Her eyee had a fixed solemn look that con-
trasted strangely with her fair young face
At last she asked suddenly:
"Where is this Harry Hill's?'
told her.
Morning came, after a seeming age. We
had cleansed and righted the parlor as we'll
as we could. The cook got breakfast as
usual, and was told that her master was
sick. l tried to anticipate Mrs. Elliott in
obtaining the morning paper from the
newsboy, but she was too quick for me.
With dilating eyes she scanned the col
umns then with cry of anguish, dropped
the paper.
"It's all here" she groaned, and she
writhed and wrung her hands as if in
intense bodily anguish.
1t was true enough and with an editorial
paragraph of comment upon it. A report
er of the paper was in the habit of feeling
some of the night guardians of the city for
any item of interest that came to their
knowledge. The policeman knew that
this scandal of Vinton Elliott would be
we'll paid for, and he was not the man to
loose several dollars on any sentimental
grounds. Even the night editors sensibil-
tiles seemed shocked over the affair, for he
had written:
"Things have come to sad pass when
such men as Elliott get down in the streets.
If the praying and singing women can do
us any good they had better come at once.
Harry Hills establishment, with all its
style, is one of the most mischievous places
in town."
After a few moments she seized the
paper.
"Oh, leave it alone,' l cried. "You
have had more than you can endure now"
81 am not child" she answered al
most fiercely. 81 intend to know and face
the worst of this matter" and with a
white, stern face, she read every word, and
then sat for few moments with the old
thoughtful contraction of brow. Suddenly
she started up with a look of fixed purpose
and asked:
elbow long do you think he will sleep?"
"Several hours"
"Then come with me.''
"Where?"
"To Mrs. Judge Ashman's."
The Judges family was just sitting down
to breakfast when we arrived.
"Why, Mrs. Elliott and Mrs. M toow
exclaimed that good lady, in unfeigned sur
prise. "What is the matter, surely this is
not a social call.''
"No," said Mrs. Elliott, impetuously.
"Mrs. Ashman, take back all / said about
ladies going into liquor saloons in order to
break them up, if they can. am going to
Harry Hills to-day, if l 60 alone. He
about the same as murdered my husband
last night and she briefly told her story.
81 am going there this very morning."
she continued. "He must resist wfe's
prayers and wife's curses, if he sells my
husband one drop more. Will you 60 with
me?"
Mrs. Ashman's features were working
with deep emotion, but the stately Judge
now joined us from the dining room and
demonstrated:
Greatly, Mrs. Elliott, greatly sympa-
thize with you, for have read the painful
account in the morning paper, but l hope
you will do nothing rash. You will expose
yourself to insult, and accomplish nothing.
Perhaps you may obtain some legal redress.
With dignity and impressiveness which
even he had never possessed upon the
bench, the aroused wife silenced him with
gesture.
"You are not equal to this matter, Judge
Ashman," she said, "nor are your legal
forms. During the past night have seen
my own grave open, and in it buried life,
youth and happiness. tell you aoiH 20,
if 60 alone You may as we'll ask the
lightning not to strike when the storm is
at it's height"'
George" cried Mrs. Ashman in a voice
of anguish, chow often has your own son
been drunk at this same Harry Hill's?"
The Judge turned pale and abruptly left
the room.
"You shall not go alone" continued
Mrs. Ashman, sobbing on Mrs. Elliotts
shoulder; ga score of women that l know
of, smitten by this terrible curse, will 60
with you, if you will but lead the way.
Some are rich and some are poor but we
all have common ground in this matter. l
will send them word"
After little consultation it was arranged
that we should start from Mrs. Judge Ash
mans at eleven. Much as l shrank from
this undertaking, determined to remain at