The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-04-01

| his promised vile, and to the STeal
delight of his mother, the marriage
was to take place the following
autumn.
During the summer pre- ,cding,
Mrs Fordyce and Ethel became
much concerned for the health OF
DR.. Hastings. After being up late
at night, as they supposed with his
patients, he would at breakfast
appear moody or irritable and ner-
vous, but as the day wore on he
regained his usual calm and agree
able manner. His mother was con
vinced that he was applying himself
too closely to his professional duties,
and begged him tosstake journey
for change OF scene and rest, but he
smilingly assured her that he should
do very we'll until the bridal journey
in the autumn. Less than a. week
before the day appointed for the
wedding DR.. Hastings was taken
sick and was unable to leave his
room. Although the invitations
were all cut, and preparations made
for the grand entertainment, which
| would make the Constantine man
sion long remembered, all thoughts
of festivity we're put aside in the
anxiety of the moment. Sister Mar
iorie was sent for and was soon at
the bedside of the invalid. In the
still; watches Of the night she had a
| conversation with him.
DR.. Hastings you are killing your
self with stroug drink, and are now
upon the verge Of delirium tremens.
Every ii ne that | have been a few
minutes from the room smell liquor
when | return. suppose you drink
only at night, and thus escape detec-
ton; but every one knows the con
ditions of DR.. Constantine will,
should you recover and make Miss
Ethel your wife she will lose her
inher .tance, and be dependent upon
the weak will of an Incorporate man
| for the neCessaries OF lite. She must
be told the true state OF the
case. for she and your mother have
no other thought but that you have
injured your brain by too close
attention to your professional duties.
And that Is all | wish them to
know, said he haughtily, and | con-
slider that you are stepping out OF
your position as nurse to presume
to lecture me.
It is in my capacity as nurse that
l take it upon myself to warn you,
and Miss. Ethel must be told.
If you do not promise to keep it a
secret from her you shall not leave
this room alive, cried the excited
man as he arose and tried to steady
himself upon his feet.
Lie down, this instant, before you
| fall and | have to summons assist.
ance to help you back to bed, said
Sister Marjorie sternly.
The poor inebrlate sank again
upon his couch and broke into
maudlin tears. pleading with her not
to tell Ethel, and promising to
reform before the day arrived for the
wedding. Sister Marjorie said no
more, except to ask where he kept
the liquor that she might remove the
temptation from his reach, but ne
refused to tell her; she resolved to
search for it could she succeed In
doing so unobserved.
Toward daylight Mrs. Fordyce,
pale and anxious, came in to take
her place by the bedside that the
nurse might have few hours rest,
and Ralph told her of his intemper-
ance and that the nurse had threat
ened to tell Ethel Stunned at the
disclosure, Mrs Fordyce was for a
time incapablesof speech, almost Of
thought.
| Oh, Ralph, walled she at length
wringing her hands in anguish, how
could you, my only child, bring
such trouble and disgrace upon me
and break the heart OF that sweet
girl who so loves and trusts you
Oh, what a chance for happines:
you have trampled under your feet,
for she will never marry you.
Don't cry, mother, said Ralph, hi:
ready tears flowing. Just you wal
until l get over this spell and | will
} be a credit to you yet. | would
have kept it from you for | though
it would worry you, but | wish you
, to command that meddlesome nurse
to keep it a secret from Ethel; for /
she hears it shall lose her, anC
. then | should not care what becam,
OF me. l shall reform and be al
right before wedding day; onl,
keep it from Ethel.
, In all Mrs. Fordyce's prosperou
. life she had never experienced such ;
shock as this, and years seemed tt
have been added to her age. Whei
the breakfast bell rang she was forceC
} to take her place at the head of tn
5 table where her ghastly face attracted
instant attention.
Oh, Mrs. Fordyce, l know Ralph l
in danger, and you are keeping it tror
: me, cried Ethel. | must see for my
self how he is, and she arose from III
7 table.
Wait, dear, sister Majorie has take
S up some toast and tea to him as 500
: as she comes down we will 60
S him.
q The moment Ethel heard the nurs
c descend she fastened out to meet he
q and ask If it were convenient time t