Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-04-26


self, and presently became convinced
that he had no cause to object more than
for forms sake to the proposed marriage
of the Doctor with an actress. dc be-
rane further convinced that Ralph, in
case he actually committed his otfensa,
deserved to be punished by being dlsln-
herited, and that it was tho part OF
dutiful sen and worthy sprlo OF VA
proud house of Warringham to let MS
mother view the matter in the samo
light. This he at once resolved to do.
There was in such perfidious course
another particular pleasure to his SeilSh
and cnvous yet proud MIND OcSiucS Vno
qualification of cOvetousness'
Ralph took q pardOnablc pride IN MS
profession. Ho often boastcd that ne
was ablc 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
tivelv extended clientele among the
wealthiest classes Of people Inc con-
siderable fees he gained in this way wcio
almost entirely expended to mitigate the
sufferings of poor patients. Many
ferveat prayer assembled to heaven from
the novels of misery to ask blessing on
tho head of the rich, generous, Ch3rlt1-
bic young doctor
Walter Warrington, on the other
hand, was wholly devoted 70 d
life of pleasure. He affected to snecr
at his brothers professional labors, ana
would sometimes scorntully call him "a
money-makcr. But at heart he felt tho
useful activity of the physician as a
standing reproach of his own useless,
ness If Ralph were to lose his ilnancial
Independence, and compelled to MAKE
| good his boast of learning his own Nv
| Ing Walters offended vanity would Cc
rratifed at it. lie would feel, In a
vague way, as if his own idleness woulo
somehow be justified by it,
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.
"Well, my dear boy" he said, "if it is
your fixed purpose to marry Miss Lyon,
| SUPPOSE we will have to submit to It,
But YOU will have hard sight with
mother. /, for my part, have no partlc
ular objection, and viii co all l can u
help you. 1 hope al will como ou'
right"
Ralph paused in his perambulation'
through tic room and extended his hant
to his brother, "Thank you, Walter;
knew YOU would not be in my way In
this matter"
Walter grasped the proffercd han,
with unwonted ardor and pressed 1t Ter
yently.
Raj ph thought this to be an cxpresS.oIT
of deeply felt, sincere sympathy. 1 Dc
generous fellow had no idea OF the blacb
hvpocrisy that tainted the heart o.
his Younger brother, nor of the mean
selfish, unbrothcrly hopes and eXpecta
tions that filed his thoughts
He resumed his seat by the window
lit another cigar and fell into a revcrie
There was not now in his expression th'
lnnguid look of world-forgcttlng bllss
which had dwclt there batore HI
brother entered. He had become con
scious that there were obstacles in HI
path-obstac!eS which had to b'
overcome by courage and ener
nv; but he was resolved that the!
should be overcome. lie knew
that he would riso triumphant over
enemies, over the prcjudiceS, the malice
the slandcr of the world, over poycrt
even. if it came to the worst Love we
to be his guiding STAR his inspiration
and support. What dangers would
true man not brave for love?
The noble young fellow never lookc'
SO handsome as he did at this moment
his eyes leaning with honest enthusiasm
his face flushed, the veins OF his temple
swelling and his bosom distended.
What a contrast the other yorng ma
on the sofa, backward in the shadow O
the room! The more remarkable thl
contrast from the great likeness in whic
the features of both were cast Waite
almost appeared like carica&re of hl
senior. The sneerinS expression c
malignity, which could be observed t
distort his lips when he first entered til
room, now seemed intensified n hundre
fold. Under his eyes there wer
dark rings, and the pupils exhihitc
that lack of life and lustc
which is the ncvcr-fai!ing sign o. lat
hours, copious drlughts of vine an
liquor, and pleasures st grossar in thci
nature. His complexion he'd neither tn
delicate, refined pallor which Ralph OF
dinarily exhibited nor the ruddy flush
health and youth. 1t was Sallow al
sickly.
There was long pause. Each wa
wrapped up in his own thOughts-Ralp
in dreams of his love, while Waite
already calculated how much larger hi
h. of
ont of the way, and what new pleasure
his increased means would purchase
The invention of new pleasure was
serious affair with HIM. For even at hi
carly age he had begun to feel tina
cnnui which, sooner or later, become
the bane of all who have no higher oil
ject in life than the gratifc'
ton of sensual desires. His wa
not that false ennui which YER
young men often affect in ordc
to give themselves the air Of exper encc
men of the world. He was genuincl
and really "blase " His life had bee
short, but very, very fast
The fOOtman appeared at the door an
announced that Mrs. Warringham d(
sired to see the Doctor
"Tell her that | shall be Eer at servic
in five minutes" Ralph responded, an
the foOtman disappeared
The young physician rose to chang
his smoking jacket for a cutaway Goa
and his slippers for shoes For Mrs.
Warringham insisted that no memter
her household should ever appear 6t
fore her zen neglige."
When the Doctor had changed h
dress, and, returning from the adjoinin
toilet-room, was at the point of lcayln
his study for his mothers boudoil
Walter called him back