The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-06-28

that could not have the heart to say
one word to mar his pleasure, though, l
must confess, my heart sank at the
prospect of the lonely evening before
me. He was Off with gay goodbye
and the emphatic declaration that was
the best sister on record Oh! the
pain we might have been spared If
father had only returned home that
night! But he little dreamed of the
danger lurking near and did not return
home until two weeks had rolled by.
"After this, Archie galloped away
every night, leaving me alone with the
servants. Twictham looked grave as
he returned later every night, and cx-
pressed her feelings quite freely one
evening when / was anxiously watch
ing for his return. But famed up inn
mediately in his defense.
"'There, now, Miss Mamie, you know
I love the boy. But | has my fears,
has my fears, she replied, with an ON
inous shake of her head. And the sub
ject was dropped.
"'Archie, exclaimed the next even
ing as he was preparing to go, what do
you suppose father would say to your
going out every night"
"'Oh, bother! can't fellow have a
little fun without having the old gent
brought up at every corner"
"'Archie! am surprised at your lack
of respect for our dear, kind father
"'Nonsense, don't preach, for good
ness sake, Man. he answered, lightly,
as he turned to go.
~ had been conscious of change in
Archie for day or SO. SO faint it was
that had realized it but vaguely. But
now l could not shut my eyes to the
fact that something, or some one, was
exerting an evil influence over him.
The more 1 pondered on it the more
perplexed grew, and 1 Ieven approached
Twickham on the subject.
~ was sitting in the housekeeper's
room, idly turning the leaves of my
book. She was stirring the fire. 1
seized my opportunity and with a
quaking heart laid the subject before
her. She dropped the poker with a crash
and turning abruptly faced me squarely.
Miss Nannie,' she said, I'm glad
you've spoken of it, It's been pretty
heavy on my mind all day, ever since l
heard,
'Twickhamv cried, What did you
hear%
"'Well. there's two or three Of the
older students giving wine-parties to
the younger ones. They has wine and
cigars, and they say they has had to
carry some of 'em home more'n once
got too much wine, you know. And
that's where Master Archie spends his
evenings
81 could not repress sharp cry.
"'Oh, Twickham! No, no."
There's them as knows it to be
true she answered, firmly, as she came
and put her motherly arms around me
and soothed and comforted me like a
mother.
"'He must never go again, Twick-
ham, / walled.
No, honey; he won't, if you as
him not to-, she replied, reassuringly.
"Ah, he never did go again! How
we strained our ears for the least
sound! Hours passed by. 1t was long
past midnight. At last! 1 sprang up
with joyful cry as the familiar clatter
of hoofs rang out on the still, night air.
There was queer falling sound. A
shuf1iing step crossed the piazza. Some
one fumbled at the latch. With white
face Twickham ran into the hall.
followed her as the door swung open
and in staggered Archie, falling
in heap at her feet and fumbling
aimlessly at his pocket from which fell
a couple of cigars. There was no mis-
taking the flushed face, and the heavy
stupor into which he had fallen. Some
thing cholked me and / could not utter
sound
"There was heavy ster on the
piazza. The door swung open, and
father stood on the threshold. With a
lightning glance he comprehended all.
He reeled as though he were shot My
heart stood still. Twickham burst into
tears. buried my face in my hands to
hide the terrible, anguished look he
cast upon the PROSTATE form. Without
word he gathered Archie up in his
arms as though he were a feather, and
carried him into his room and closed
the door.
"All night long / lay, listening to
his footsteps as paced his room. At
length, as the rosy dawn struggled up
in the east, fell into quiet sleep. 1
had wept until was utterly exhausted
awoke to find the sun high in the
heavens, and Twickham sobbing by my
side. There had been stormy scene
Archie's brain was not yet cleared of
the hateful wine. He was not account
able for his actions. Father had talked
kindly and gravely to him, and She,
Twickham, had pleaded with him, but
he had flown into a terrible passion and
rushed away on Bernardo, and father
again paced steadily up and down his
room.
''Iie soon came to me, however, and
soothed and comforted me with kind
words. He took all the blame upon him
self, and could not doubt his love for
Archie after seeing the misery OF his
set and haggard countenance. But
Archie did not return. No, not until
they brought him home on rude
stretcher, like bruised and broken
flower Bernardo had stumbled and
fallen on him, injuring him internally.
"I will not deceive you. There is no
hope. Positively no hope was the ver-
dict of the family physician, who was
hastily summoned.
81 was in the hall wandering aimless-
ly around, anXiously watching for Ar
chie's return, when they brought him
in. After one glance, fed to Twick-
hams room, and paced the floor and ut