The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1905-02-25

1t as a curiosity of human nature that
this habit 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 l took our places by the pia-
no just 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
Ions since outgrown, though they were
the same to him as they had always been
l watched Ormond out of the corner of
my eyes. He was perfect automaton to
whom the music meant little as it
| meant to the piano. Suddenly, at the
| close of one OF the songs. he turned away
and dropped heavily into n chair.
IT'S time to go to bed" said Mr.. Greer,
shutting the case of his big watch with u
loud snap Ring the bell. Ormond. like a
good fellow. You can reach it,"
Ormond seemed to awake with Il 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 a 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 pock-
ct gold hux. The lid flew back as he
| pressed the spring.
"Will You Join me tonight, Ormond?"
said he. NO? Nor you, Jack? Gladys,
my dear, allow me to persuade you?
| Really. you children don't know what's
| good. / have plenty" he continued. with
| a laugh Il hlcd the box today. To-
| nights nightcnp and nineteen more are
| here. 1t has no more medicinal quality
| than Adams ale. as anybody can see by
reading our circular. and yet l don't be-
| lieve that | could sleep without it"
He filled one OF the goblets with water
| and dropped into it a bronze hued tablet
| about the size of five cent piece, which
| he took from the box. 1t dissolved with
amazing suddcnness, filling the water with
| bubbles ana 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 close similarity
| II have given to the world true tenn
perance drink" said Mr.. Greer. ASSISTS
| the stomach: doesn't harm the brain.
| This is my lack" he continued, raising
| the delicate crystal in which the myriad
| bubbles rose with a faint tinking, land
| the luck of every man who drinks it and
| lets stronger drink alone. 1t has made
one man rich; 1t will make no man poor,
| Gladys. my dear, your health!'
| He drained the glass, not at draft, but
| with prolonged enjoyment, and set it
| down. The servant removed the trav
| with one moist goblet and three dry. as
| always. for il was an unvarying joke to
I offer "GrccrS nectar to
| 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 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 inposture. l am convinced
that he really likes 1t, 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 / have just de-
| scribed.
The gold box for the tablets was fan
| cy of Gladys. She gave 1t 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
| ry 1t afterward. 1t was put away with
| the twenty tablets which 1t happened to
| contain al the time. and my uncle's valet
| was sent across town to the factory on
Christmas day for fresh supply in hon
or of the little golden caAket.
Mr.. Greer always held It precious. The
breast pocket of his ample waistcoat is its
| dwelling place. Upon this evening l
thought he put 1t away with an especial
~ caressing gesture. Then he kissed
| Gladys upon the red gold curls above her
| temples a 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. 1 know not
how. but there was something in the ST.
| lence and the mystery of it that inspired
| me with foolish alarm. My nerves were
| on edge. l would have started at
| shadow.
| Gladys" said /, checking her at the
door. do you know which way we are
| drifting7'
mo two Of us the same way, 1 fancy"
she replied. But let's not speak of it."
| There is no engagement. no pro:l:se'-
| Between whom she asked. smiling.
| And then with a far different manner: Il
| will not pretend that l do not know what
you mean. | am going to tell you
| cret which is between ourselves absolute
| ~. Uncle Henry wants me to marry him,
| and 1 shall do tiff | can l 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 secret" she
| replied. land for its greater security we
| Will not mention 1t even to each other.
Good night"
| l remained alone in the room. Present.
| ly servant entered and put out the
| lights. not perceiving me. for / had walk
| ed to window and was shielded by one
of the long and heavy curtains. When
the man had gone l flung myself into
| great chair and lost all track of time in
| the depth of my meditation.
| The opening Of the outer door startled
| me. l heard stealthy step in the hall.
and turning l saw Loren. my uncles
| valet. He had taken some late excursion
| without leave and was stealing in secret
| ly. There WAS no harm in this fellow, and
so 1 shut my eyes to his little mystery.
| Ten minutes later 1 followed him up the
| stairs.
| To my surprise, Loren was lettering
| near the door of my room. AS / was
| about to speak to him he made a gesture
| of caution and then passed into the apart
| ment ahead of me.
II don't quite know what to make OF It,
| sir" said he II was in the hall n few
| minutes ago, and ! saw Mr. Ormond COM
| ing out Of Mr.. Greer's room. He didn't
! see me, sir. for stepped cut of his way,
| but he passed quite close. and | saw that
he had that gold box in his hand"
| go en-" said /. seeing that he had