The morning call., 1890-06-27
DIR, MERTON'S SISTER.

TNS mnch older than he really was nor
AfA' why, from being man full OF mlrth
and loving society, he seemed to shun poth.
But his sister Alice suspected the cause
long, long before Mrs. Merton herself was
reused to the faintest glimmer OF the truth,
and the truth was sad enough, Tor Dr. Mef-
ton was in debit And he had gone on-at
first feeling sure Of recovering his stand
point; then, doubling; next, desperate, ana
unable to face the future, which had be-
come dreadful to him because of his wife
and children. He loved his sister dearly,
too-no one could live in the same house
with Alice Merton and not grow to love
her; but she was not so helpless as was
Mrs Merton and the poor children! foor
children, indeed! Brought up in seif-lndul-
gent habits by foolish mother, they were
truly to be pitied If ii was to come to the
sharp trial of having to ind another nome
How had such Il state of things come
about TO a thriving household sucn as was
that of DR.. Merton's. First OF all IL nau
begun by increased expenditure on MIS-
Merton'S part; on her inslStence lor a no.
eral income to spend; on her utter want OF
business capacity. Next, the doctor, VINO
was too goOd-natured, was imposed on by
the son of an old friend-lnduced 10 be-
come his security for 93C0, which the doctor
had to pay after all; then, one year he had
a number of bad debts, and was not wise
enough to say TO his vile that they coulu
not afford to give dinner-parues, knowing
what an OuLcry WOulu ue llduo Al no uLu ~.
and, as he was generous-hearted, he would
not curtail his sisters allowance OF 4lO0
wear; for Alice did many things IN the
househOld-taught the children, walked out
with them; made things for their wear
saved the expense of music lessons for the
elder girls (she being a brilliant pianisD,
and her brother argued that, II Alice mar
ried and left them, they would never get
her place supplied by paying any one else
a100 q year. and that such an allowance
was her due.
than Alice wants." said Mrs. Merton,
gravely. II myself have only hundred
and fifty from you, Edmund, for dress and
my own private expenses; ana 60 out
great deal more than Alice does, and am
obliged to support certain charities, you
know"
yes, my DEAR" responded the doctor;
i'but if we had n governess for the girls,
and had, besides, to pay for all the things
frocks, pinafores, etc.-which Alice makes
for them land which you say you have no
time ton. it would cost us a good deal more
than the sum give to Alice. Twenty-Five
pounds a quarter is not too much Tor her
expenses, considering all she does for us"
And this was really so true that Mr.. Mer-
ton let the matter drop.
Alice had come TO live IN her Or0ther
house when she was left homeless by her
fathers sudden death six years ago. She
was now % !; but most people, not aware OF
the contrary. took her for 10 or 20. She
was a dozen years younger than the doctor,
and very beautiful young woman. highly
intellectual, and fond of literary pursuits.
1t was q trouble to her to feel obliged to
devote her energies most OF the day 10 the
monotony of school work, and to mendlng
and making for the children; but she saw
how things were drifting in her brothers
household, and set herself, SO far as might
be, to stem the tide. But for her, matters
would have come, long since, to Crisis; Tor
even half a dozen years ago, when Alice
had first arrived at Dale House las the doc
tors residence was called that adverse tide
had set in which was eventually to swell
large enough to engulf all within it. AS
vet however. the swell was invisible, save
TO such close watcher as loving Alice
Merton.
In the evening she made up for the mo-
notoDy of her day, eagerly reading the new
books which were plentiful IN her brothers
house.
"Aiice, DEAR" said the doctor one day to
his sister,. you look tred-are you working
too haTd2"
Not bit; I like work." said she.
"Yes; but hope you don't read all night
as well as all the evening. Several times
when l have come in late or been called
up early have heard noise in your room,
which is over my study you know, and
have meant to speak to you about 1t. GU
should not presume on your good health" "
Alice laughingly promised to be careful,
and there the matter dropped; but her
brother was pretty sure that she still sat up
to study or rose at some unearthly hour TO
read up scientific subjects, of which she
confessed herself fond.
'What is the use of all this brain work,
Alice ?" asked the doctor. Some day you
will marry that nice fellow. Samuel Orms-
by, and then you will not need to study"
Alice flashed up at her brothers remark.
81 am very sorry you have taken such an
erroneous notion into your head, Edmund,
said she. Let me assure you that Mr.
Ormsby and myself are on friendly terms,
and nothing more. Nor ever will be-"
added she, mentally, with sign that she
dared not permit 10 escape her.
1t was a sigh which carried with it good
deal of hidden heart-grief. For in reality
Alice Merton loved Samuel Ormsby with
deep devotion; but she was inwardy per-
suaded that he cared nothing whatever for
all or else choose wife very brilliant and
accomplished.
"And l am quiet; should never make
figure In society. Once l thought he cared
for me! how. foolish it was to have had
such dreamSP'
She had Known Mr.. Ormsby for two years
now. He had bought a very charming
property in the nsighbOrhood, and lived
about six miles from DR.. Merton's resi-
denee. having brought his mother and two
The handsome Mr.. Ormsby," as some
of the young ladies styled him, was much
sought after by all the families in the neigh
borhooG, and Alice met him continually at
dinner-partes, dances and lawn-tennis
matches. And he had appeared to have
delight in meeting her on every occasion,
till one fatal day when cousin of the
Mertons came down to pay them visit.
This cousin was young surgeon begin
ming practice in London suburb; but
one August brought short holiday, and he
had run down to see his cousins in the coun-
try.
Charmed with the picturesque place, over
flowing with good spirits, the young man
thoroughly enjoyed himself, and was proud
10 escort Alice to an archery, dance and
tennis party. Mrs. Merton, too, had given
a garden-party during the young surgeons
visit, and many people, among others the
OTmsbys, had remarked his attentions to
Alice.
1t was from this date that Samuel Orms-
by's interest in Miss Merton appeared to
subside, aud cold chill fell upon the girls
hitherto sunny existence - for her own
heart had made life bright for her, despite
her busy days, so full often Of duties unin-
teTesting to one of her bent.
Poor Alice! she wept now often when she
was alone, instead of smiling; but there
dawned day when she became conscious
that she might have to weep for other sor-
rows than the loss of Samuel Ormsby's
affection, for she perceived that her brother
was very unhappy, and that he tried to con-
ceal his unhappiness.
Why did she not ask him plainly what 1t
was which troubled him? She did so often,
but he always evaded her question, answer
ing either that she was full of fancies, or
that in profession such as his it was i'm
possible not TO feel troubled sometimes.
But Alice was not satisfied, although she
= had not yet had the courage to add: "Oh,
Edmund, is it you that are in debt?"
The real state of the case was worse than
Alice anticipated, for five years ago, under
stress OF circumstances, the doctor had Dor
T0wed that $500 for which he had become
surety, and which he had suddenly found
himself called on to pay, since which he
had managed to meet the ruinous interest
demanded; but the principal remained un-
paid, and debts which should have been
discharged when due lad been suffered to
accumulate because the money was needed
to pay debt never incurred by the doctor.
If he had only told his wife things might
have been better; but he always kept
silence, vainly hoping that he could refund