The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-04-25
and cnvious yet proud mind besides the
qualification of covetousness.


Ralph took a pardonable pride in his
profession. he often boasted that he
was able to earn his own living. Al
though he was but twenty-seven years
old and had commenced to practice
scarcely two years ago, his connections
from the outset insured him compare
lively extended clientele among the
wealthiest classes of people. The con-
siderable fees he gained In this way were
almost entirely expended to mitigate the
sufferings of poor patients. Many
fcrvent prayer aScended to heaven from
the novels of misery to ask blessing on
the head of the rich, generous, charlta-
Bile young DOCTOR.
Walter Warrington, on the other
hand, was wholly devoted TO
life OF pleasure. He affected to sneer
at his brothers professional la6ors, ano
would sometimes scornfully call MIN "a
money-maker. But at heart he felt the
useful activity of the physician as
standing reproach of his, own useless.
ness. If Ralph were to lose his financial
independence, and compelled to make
good his boast of learning his own llV'
ING. Walters offended vanity would be
gratified at it. He would feel, in
vague way, as if his own idleness would
somehow be justified by 1t.
In accordance with these diversified
motives he acted, when he took up the
thread of conversation that had been
dropped after the Doctors burst OF en-.
thusiasm.
aWell, my dear boy" he said, sif it Is
your fixed purpose to marry Miss Lyon,
I SUPPOSE we will have to submit to 1t.
But you will have hard fight with
mother. I, for my part, have no partic-
ular objection, and will do all I can te
help you. I hope all will come out
right"
Ralph paused in his perambulationss
through the room and extended his nano
to his brother. @Thank you, Walter;
knew you would not be in my way In
this matter. -" ;,
Walter grasped the proffered hand
with unwonted ardor and pressed 1t fer
vently.
Ralph thought this to be an expression
of deeply felt, sincere sympathy. The
generous fellow had no idea of the black
hypocrisy that tainted the heart OF
his younger brother, nor Of the mean,
selfish, unbrotherly hopes and expecta.
tions that filled his thoughts.
He resumed his seat by the window,
lit another cigar and fell into reverie.
There was not now in his expression the
languid look of world-forgetting bliss,
which had dwelt there before his
brother entered. He had become con-
scious that there were obstacles in his
path-obstacles which had TO be
overcome by courage and ener
ey; but he was resolved that they
should be overcome. He knew
that he would rise triumphant over all
enemies, over the prejudices, the malice,
the SANDER Of the world, over poverty
even, If it came to the worst. Love was
to be his guiding star, his inspiration
and support What dangers would q
true man not brave for love?
The noble young fellow never looked
so handsome as he did at this moment,
his eyes beaming with honest enthusiasm,
his face flushed, the veins Of his temples
swelling and his bosom distended.
What contrast the other young man
on the sofa, backward in the shadow OF
the room! The more remarkable this
contrast from the great likeness in which
the features of both were cast. Walter
almost appeared like caricature OF his
senior. The sneering expression OF
malignity, which could be observed to
distort his lips when he first entered the
room, now seemed intensified hundred
fold. Under his eyes there were
dark rings, and the pupils exhibited
that lack of life and lusteI
which is the never-failing sign of late
hours, copious draughtS OF wine and
liquor, and pleasures still grosser in their
nature. His complexion had neither the
delicate, refined pallor which Ralph or
dinarily exhibited nor the ruddy flush OF
health and youth. 1t was sallow and
sickly. -,. -. -. 80
There was long pause. Each was
wrapped up in his own thoughts-Ralph
in dreams of his love, while Walter
already calculated how much larger his
income would be after his brother was
out of the way, and what new pleasures
his increased means would purchase.
The invention of a new pleasure was
serious affair with him. For even at his
early age he had begun to feel that
eunui which, sooner or later, becomes
the bane of all who have no higher OBJ.
ject in life than the grati6car
tion of sensual desires. His was
not that false ennui which very
young men often affect in order
to give themselves the air of experienced
men of the world He was genuinely
and really ablase." His life had been
short, but very, very fast.
The footman appeared at the door and
announced that Mrs. Warringham de
sired to see the Doctor. T. ;
"Tell her that shall be her at service
in FIVE minutes" Ralph responded, and
the footman disappeared.
The young physician rose to change
his smoking-jacket for cutaway coat
and his slippers for shoes. For Mrs.
Warringham insisted that no member oi
her household should ever appear be-
fore her zen neglige."
When the Doctor had changed his
dress, and, returning from the adjoining
toilet-room, was at the point Of leaving
his study for his mothers boudoir,
Walter called him back.
aTake the bull by the horns, old man.
he said. 3Tell her at once. She is LA
bic to hear it from other people at any
time, and it is better she should have the
first intimation from you. The whole
town is full Of it. Wonder how it goi
out. 1t will be terrible shock to the
old lady,"
"God knows" Ralph calculated.
Mrs. Warringham had retained great
deal of authority over her sons, even
after the boys had become men. Now,
when he was to break such an evil BIZ
of news to his mother, Ralph experienced
something like the sensation he had
known at collcg: when cited before the
august faculty for some heinous infrac