New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-01-18
ALTAR TO GRAVE,

$50 l found him, and quite stupid,
too"
els it possible? Where has he been
to get it?''
mot out of his rooms, I believe.
He must have brought it there"
POUNDS! How unfortunate! Has
Che fellow lost his reason?"
"Not irrecoverably, I hope; but,
seriously, now, what is to be done?
Already it is past noon. The cere.
nlony takes place at 81
Ozone? Why we must go over there
at once and endeavor to arouse him.
A knowledge Of this would nearly kill
Helene, | fear. She fairly worships
Royal. But say, you'll go with me,
Charley?"
Certainly, Ned; I intended to re-
Gurn."
We walked rapidly, and in ten
minutes reached the young mans
lodgings.
Alas! 1t was even worse than sup.
1sed. We had entered the room
shout the formality of knocking, as
privileged guests. There was disor-
der. Some OF the chairs were over
turned, a few of the mantel ornaments
were broken, and the furniture was in
confusion generally. A strong odor
of liquor filled the apartment. On
She bed, his clothing soiled and DISNEY
Feled, Royal Benson lay, breathing
heavily. On the floor stood a. black
bottle, half emptied OF it's contents.
The spectacle was saddening.
What a condition for a. bridegroom
'1e IN two short hours before the
hmn nuptials! What a. revelation
the trusting bride if it became
OWN to her! And how was she to
kept in ignorance of the dreadful
cts.
These thoughts passed swiftly
through my mind in the half-minute
that | took to survey the scene.
Then proceeded to action, pausing
tOt to understand the cause. I ap-
preached the bed and bent over the
PROSTATE figure.
'Royal! Royal Benson!" I shout.
ed. Rouse up! Remember your mar
riage at O'Clock! You haven't an
instant Of time to lose'
50 answer came from the husky
ps only a maudlin groan.
caught him by the shoulders and
>artly raised him from the bed, shak-
no him violently
Royal! Royal!'' we both chorused,
a loud tone. "Get up and prepare
Yourself for the great event of your
lie. every moment is precious"
Still no answer.
ut is drunken sleep; a senseless
3tupor! What In the world shall we
lo!" said anxiousy.
"Ill tell your Charley replied. eve
vt send for DOCTOR"
No, noH' [ exclaimed quickly.
'ould you publicly proclaim his dis
.ce? That will never dol"
Why not? Think OF the wretched-
'ss of He!ene's lot if this continued!"
Fl do! 7 think OF all that! But,
Notwithstanding, this affair must re-
,nain q secret between ourselves. We
will have to revive him. Helene,
poor, innocent Helene, must not be
disappointed on her wedding day"
took out my watch and glanced at
he time. Heavens! 1t was quarter
d 2. In an hour the church would be
He'd with the friends of both. Some
hing must be done, and that imme-
lately.
WITT Gle perspiration rolling down
ny face-fOr | was suffering great
mental distress-I lifted Royal off the
ped, and, with CharIey's assistance,
walked him up and down the room.
Ee made him use his limbs as much
.spossible, and had the satisfaction
seeing HIM restored to partial con-
Iciousness under the exercise.
On little while he opened his eyes,
nd how terribly bleared they were.
What a shocking sight he would pre-
ient.
We continued the treatment till en-
ire .sensibility returned and then
la<a1 him in chair. AS if to con-
le shame and modification he
have felt, he instantly bowed
ad and covered his face with his
" val Benson" said I, in hard
s bOue n6iug my gaze SCralgnt
aim, "what means this conduct?
on forgotten Helene, your love
lie, when you robbed yourself OF
ispower OF sense, or did you wish to
Ebof the marriage by acting the
e ute? Explain, if you can"
I, With a show Of emotion that sur
Used me. he threw back his head and
Z, turned the look gave him. The
= sance was pitiable, SO full OF distress,
very sorrowful! could not refrain
Eeeling otsympathy at that moment.
EsE'rlends, he commenced, speaking
tth considerable hesitation, Gull this
ass appear very strange to you
85ubtless it does; but, as God is my
sdge. had no intention of disap-
,inting my betrotned Ny love for
II is just as fervent and true as it
SIN that blessed hour when she
,mised to be mine. But something
ne ISL cannot tell! Oh, how can
.