The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-04-01
Writ en- for the Union Signal
DOCTOR CONSTANTINE'S WILL
BY MARY T.. IRELAND.

In luxurious home in a western
city John Constantine, an elderly
physician, lay upon bed of sick
ness. None knew better than he
that before the dawning of another
day he would be summoned to a
better world.
On one side of DR.. Coustantine's
couch sat Marjorie Alnslie, sanity
woman in the garb of a deaconess OF
his own church, and upon the other
side was his adopted niece, Ethel
Constantine, weeping silently.
When Marjorie Anslie left the
hospital where she had been for
three years training as a professional
nurse, DR.. Constantine had been the
first to recognize her ability, and in
his capacity, as skiIful and respon-
sible physician, had recommended
her to his patients, and from the
beginning Marjorie was a success.
His esteem for her was such that he
had requested her to take charge of
him should he need her services.
She had promised, and had been at
his bedside from his first attack, a
fortnight before.
Ethel, said the sick man feebly, if
sister Marjorie viii excuse us, l
would like to say few words to
you.
l will be in the next room, Miss
Ethel, said the nurse, rising quietly,
until you summon me to return.
My darling child, said he. the
moment they were alone, it is only
| within the last hour that it has
| occurred to me that l should offer
an explanation to you in regard to a
clause in my last will, which was
made Immediately after the death of
my wife, two months ago. | have
LETT you sole heir to my estate upon
one condition, and that is that you
either remain unmarried, or unite
yourself in marriage only with one
| .. x1ta1 oil
intoxicating drinks. In case OF
your refusal to comply with these
conditions the property is to revert
to distant relations of my late wife,
all whom | could claim as relatives
having preceded me to the other
shore. ! have been thinking that
you may consider it unkind in me
to lay this restriction upon you, but
with my dying breath | wish to
impress it upon your mind that it is
only my anguished longing to spare
you the misery of being drunkard's
wife that prompts me to do so.
Ethel, your father died in fit OF
delIrlum b-emenS, and your mother
-one of the loveliest women | ever
knew, died from nervous prostratlon
at witnessing the horrors which the
demon of intemperance brings upon
its victims. | have done everything
in my power to hep rid the land Of
this terrible, blighting curse, but
thus far, have. seen but little result
from my efforts. | must, however,
do all l car to protect you from such
d fate as that suffered by your
mother. /
Oh, uncle, you have distressed
yourself to; tell me this and there was
no need; said Ethel tearfully, for
trained so jcaretully as have beer
by you and dear Aunt Constantine
! had resolved never to unite mysel
with one who touches wine.
Thank God for this victory, saic
DIR. Constantine, raising his eyes tt
heaven; and promise me Ethel, to dc
all you can to prevent your young
friends from making this terrible
mistake OF a lifetime.
I promise, uncle, and will do all
can in every way to help on th'
cause of temperance.
When the will of DR.. Constantine
was read it was found that in addi
ton to leaving his estate to Ethel
with conditions named, his lifelong
friend, DR.. Fordyce, was appointed
executor of his will and guardian t.
Ethel. To her great satisfaction, h'
and Mrs. Fordyce were willing It
live in the Cor stantine home, thu
allowing the young girl to remal
surrounded by the dear object
familiar from childhood.
As the adopted niece of the hon
ored DR.. and Mrs. Constantine
Ethel had moved in the best soclet
in the city. She was highly educa
ted, winning in appearance and wa
. loved for her noble mind and gentle
: ness. The Constantines had alway
, entertained handsomely, and as tim
passed the mansion resumed ii
II share of social duty. Mrs. Fordyc
was looking eagerly forward to tn
e time when her son, by former NAL
?; riape, should finish his medic;
!; studies in Germany and make tn
Or fourth in the happy home circle, {
partner of DR.. Fardyce. Eth
}. took great interest in his return, ft
she remembered him as handsom
- bright youth, and his letters to h
} mother fostered her good opinion
Z him.
He came. and she found Ralp
10 10 Hastings 10 be more than she e.