Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-06-26

now l could not shut my eyes to the
fact that something, or some one, was
exerting an evil influence over him.
The more l pondered on it the more
perplexed l grew, and Ieven approached
Twickham on the subject.
II was sitting in the housekeeper's
room, idly turning the leaves of my
book. She was stirring the fire. l
seized my opportunity and with a
euaking heart laid the subject before
her. She dropped the poker with crash
and turning abruptly faced me squarely.
g Miss Nannie,' she said, LIN glad
you've spoken of it. It's been pretty
heavy on my mind all day, ever since
heard
d" 'Twickhamr 1 cried, What did you
hear%
=" We'll. 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.
a" '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
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! l sprang up
with joyful cry as the familiar chatter
of hoofs rang out on the still, night air.
There was a queer falling sound. A
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
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 cboked me and | could not utter
a sound.
There was a heavy STEP on the
piazza. The door swung open, and
father stood on the threshold. With a
glance he comprehended all
lie reeled as though he we're shot. Ny
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
a 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 l lay, listening to
his footsteps as paced his room. At |
length, as the rosy dawn struggled up
in the east, | fell into a quiet sleep. l |
had wept until l was utterly exhausted.
awoke to find the sun high in the
heavens, and Twickham sobbing by my
side. There had been a stormy scene.
Arches brain was not yet cleared of |
the hateful wine. He was not account
able for his actions. Father had talked
kindly and grayely to him, and she,
Twickham, had pleaded with him, but
ne had flown into terrible passion and
rushed away on Bernardo, and father
again paced steadily up and down his
room.
lie 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
'et and haggard countenanee. But
Archie did not return. No, not until
hey brought him home on a rude
'tretcher, like a bruised and broken
lower. Bernardo had stumbled and
allen on him, injuring him internally.
1 will not deceive you. There is no
rope. Positively no hope was the YER
Iict OF the family physician, who was
hastily summoned.
was In the hall wandering aimless-
y around, anxiOusly watching for Ar
MES return, when they brought him
n. After one glance, fed to Twick-
lams room, and paced the floor and ut
cred such strange beart-broken cries
hat she almost lost her self-control.
hey sent for her Immediately. She
ias gone for long, long time. As the
fternoon wore on and she did not re-
urn, threw myself. face down, on her
ed and mutely struggled with the ter
lble aching of my heart. that threat
ned to stitie me. l could hear hurry
ng feet in the hall, the opening and !,
losing of doors, and then, all silence
gain.
& My poor little grip and father bent
yer me. have come for you. He
sked for you with his first conscious
reath.' And then in answer to nv
lute, questioning look: Yes, he has
Did me all And is freely forgiven.
ONE dear
Il never knew how got to the room.
ut remember father whispered as l '
ntered: Call me, dear, if he grows
orse.' The door opened, and then /
osed behind me. And l was alone
it'll my poor, dying brother. He lay
it'll his face toward me. and his eyes
xed upon me so wisttuIly. in a
onent ! Vas BY his side. l.