Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-06-26

to get it2' .-..-----
Not out Of his rooms, ] believe. He
must have brought it in there
'Zoundsl How unfcrtunatel Has
the fellow lost his reason?'
Not irrecoverably, hope; but SER
lously now, what is to be done7 AL
ready it is past noon. The ceremony
takes place at three
'Done2 Why, we must 60 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; intended to re-
turn
We walked rapidly, and in ten min
utes reached the young mans lodg-
ings.
Alasl 1t was even worse than / sup.
posed. We had entered the room
2 without the formality Of knocking as
priv yileged guests. There all was dis
order. Some of the chairs were ov-
er.unrned, few Of the mantel orna-
ments were broken and the furniture
was in confusion generally. A strong
odor OF liquor filed the apartment.
On the bed, his clothing soiled and
and disheveled, Royal Benson lay,
breathing heavily. On the floor stood
the black bottle half empty of its con-
tents. ....a . u... ...-
The spectacle was saddening.
.. What q condition for bridegroom
to be in two short hours before the
solmen nuptlals! What a revelation
for the trusting bride if it becomes
known to herl And how was she to be
kept in ignorance of the dreadful
facts. Ff
These thoughts passed swiftly
through my mind in the half minute
that l took to survey the scene. Then
proceeded to action, pausing not to
understand the cause. approached
the bed and bent over the PROSTATE
figure.
Royal! Royal Bensonl' l shouted.
'Rorse up. Remember your marriage
at three o'clockl You haven't an in
slant of time to losep
No answer came from the husky lips
only maudlin groan.
l caught him by the shoulders and
partly raised him from the bed shak.
ing him violently.
Royal! Royall we both chorused,
in q loud tone. Get up and prepare
yourself for the great event Of your
life. Do not delay, every moment is
precious
Still no answer. @
1T isa drunken sleep; a senseless
stupor! Whatln the world shall we
dor I said anxiously. IA (.
I1l tell you,' Charley replied. We
must send for Doctor ~.7
mo, mol / exclaimed quickly.
Would you publicly proclaim his dis
grace2 That will never dol!
why not? Think of the wretched-
ness of Helenes lot if this contluu-
ed?'
Il do! I think of all that! But not.
withstanding this affair must remain
q secret between ourselves. We will
have to revive him. Helene, poor in
nocent Helene, must not be disap-
pointed on her wedding dayr
Itook out my watch and glanced at
the time. Heavens 1t was quarter
to two. In an hour the church would
be filed with the friends Of both.
Something must be done, and that
imedlately.
With the perspiration rolling down
my face-for | was suffering great
mental distress--I lifted Royal off the
bed, and with Charley's assistance,
walked him up and down the room.
We made him use his limbs as much,
as possible, and had the satisfaction of
seeing him restored to partial con-
sciousness under the exercise. (.
In little while he opened his eyes,
and how terribly bleared they werel
Whata shocking sight he would pre-
sent.
We continued the treatment till en-
tire sensibility returned and then
placed him in chair. AS if to con-
ceal the shame and modification he
must have felt, heintantly bowed his
head and covered his face with his
hands.
Royal Bensonr said I, in a hard,
solemn tone, fixing my gaze straight
upon him, :what'means this conduct?
Had you forgotten Helene, your love-
ly bride, when you robbed yourself Of
the power of sense, or did you wish to
put off the marriage by acting the
brute2 Explain if you can't @ 81
With show of emotion that sur
prised me, threw back his head and
returned the look l gave him. The
glance was pitiable, so iull of distress,
80 very sorrowfull I could not restrain
feeling of sympathy at that NOM
ent.
Friends, he commenced, speaking
with considerable hesitation, all this
must appear very strange to you
doubtless 1t does; but as God is my