The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1904-09-24

this naDlt survived by many months the
mutual affection that had given 1t birth.
When Gladys had finished playing and
had received the usual praise Mr. Greer
insisted that we should sing for him. and
Ormond and took our places by the pia-
no just as we had done so many times
before In vocal music our uncle had
preferences, and we sang what pleased
him. old fashioned trios such as we had
long since outgrown though they were
the same to him as they had always been.
1 watched Ormond out of the corner of
my eyes. He was n perfect automaton, to
whom the music meant as little as it
meant to the piano Suddenly. at the
close Of one of the songs, he turned away
| and dropped heavily into a chair
IT'S time to go to bed" said Mr. Greer
shutting the case of his big watch with a
| loud snap Ring the bell. Ormond, like a
good fellow. You can reach it,"
Ormond seemed to awake with a start,
as from a bad dream. He touched the
| bell and then resumed his seat. Through
out the absurd. familiar scene that fol-
lowed he watched Mr.. Greer with eyes
| like two burning Goals
| A servant entered with small tray
| upon which were four very beautiful COB
lets and a silver pitcher containing pure
| water When these things had been set
| before him Mr.. Greer took from his peck
ct gold box. The lid flew back as he
| pressed the spring.
| "Will you join me tonight. Ormond?"
| said he. mo? Nor you. Jack? Gladys.
| my dear. allow me to persuade you?
| Really. you children don't know what's
| good. 1 have plenty" he continued with
laugh. 81 filled the box today. To-
| nights nightcap and nineteen more are
| here. 1t has no more medicinal quality
| than Adams ale. as anybody can see by
| reading our circular. and yet / don't be-
| lieve that | could sleep without it."
| He filled one of the goblets with water
| and dropped into 1t bronze hued tablet
about the size of five cent piece which
| he took from the box. 1t dissolved with
amazing suddenness, filling the water with
| bubbles and imparting to it the color of
| pale amber. In fact keen eye would
| have been needed to distinguish this
| fraudulent liquor from champagne. and |
| am assured that there are palates which
| detect a closc simila rity.
Il have given to the world a true tenn
perance drink" said Mr.. Greer ASSISTS
the stomach; doesn't harm the brain.
| This is my luck" he continued, raising
| the delicate crystal in which the myriad
bubbles rose with a faint tinkling. "and
| the luck of every man who drinks ii and
| lets stronger drink alone. 1t has made
one man rich: 1t will make no man poor.
Gladys, my dear. your health"
lie drained the glass; not at a draft, but
down. The servant removed the tray
with one moist goblet and three dry, as
always. for it was an unvarying joke to
offer "Greers nectar to us.
These ridiculous tablets are the founda-
ton Of uncle's great fortune. He was a
poor man when he invented them. They
have had an enormous sale in many lands
and several factories are always busy
with the making of them. Mr.. Greer. who
could fill his cellars with the choicest
product of the vine. limits his drinking to
this chemical imposture. | am convinced
that he really likes it. though he never
overindulges. One glass before retiring
Is his very moderate allowance, and the
taking of 1t has long been attended with
such mock solemnity as l have just de-
scribed.
The gold box for the tablets was a fan
cy of Gladys. She gave it to him as a
Christmas present. He had used a cheap
silver plated box of his own purchasing
before that time. but he would never car
ny it afterward. 1t was put away with
the twenty tablets which it happened to
contain at the time. and my unces valet
was sent across town to the factory on
Christmas day for fresh supply in hon
or of the little golden casket.
Mr. Greer always held II precious The
breast pocket of his ample waistcoat is its
dwelling place Upon this evening
~ caressing gesture Then he kissed
Gladys upon the red gold curls above her
temples, kiss upon each side, as has
been his custom since she was a child
God help her! She is only a child now.
Shall she not have her youth and the
roses Of romance whatever thorns they
hide?
When Mr.. Greer had withdrawn to his
repose | found myself alone with Gladys.
Ormond had left the ROOM l know not
how, but there was something in the ST.
ience and the mystery of 1t that inspired
me with a foolish alarm My nerves were
on edge. l would have started at n
shadow
Gladys" said I. checking her at the
door. do you know which way we are
drifting2"
mo two Of us the same way. fancy"
she replied. But let's not speak of it,"
There is no engagement, no PROMISE
Between whom?" she asked smiling.
And then with a far different manner: II
will not pretend that do not know what
you mean. | am going to tell you a Sc
cret which is between ourselves absolute
ly Uncle Henry wants me to marry him,
and l shall do tiff | can. | love him.
Who could help it? He is a very noble.
steadfast, honorable man"
This is no secret" said l. 1.-THE very
servants know it,
Let us pretend that it is n secret" she
replied. "and for its greater security we
will not mention it even to each other.
Good night"
| remained alone in the room. Present.
~ servant entered and put out the
lights. not perceiving me for | had walk
ed to a window and was shielded by one
of the long and heavy curtains. When
the man had gone | flung myself into q
great chair and lost all track of time in
"a Of INV, tot