The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1905-11-04


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.
l watched Ormond out of the corner of
my eyes. He was perfect automaton, to
whom the music meant as little as II
meant to the piano. Suddenly. at the
close of one of the songs, he turned away
and dropped heavily into 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 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.
servant entered with a small tray
upon which were four very beautiful gob-
lets and a silver pitcher containing pure
water. When these things had been set
before him Mr.. Greer took from his pock-
ct a gold box. The lid flew back as he
pressed the spring.
"Will you Join me tonight Ormondr'
said he. mo? Nor you. Jack2 Gladys,
my dear, allow me to persuade your
Really. you children don't know what's
good. I have plenty" he continued, with
laugh. II 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 l could sleep without it,
He filled one of the goblets with water
and dropped into It bronze hued tablet
about the size of five cent piece. which
no tool ~ 49,,
amazing suddenness, filling the water with
bubbles and imparting to 1t the color of
pale amber. In fact, keen eye would
have been needed to distinguish this
fraudulent liquor from champagne, and 1
am assured that there are palates which
detect a close similarity.
Il have given to the world 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 tinking, land
the luck Of every man who drinks 1t 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 a draft, but
with prolonged enjoyment, and set 1t
down. The servant removed the tray
with one moist goblet and three dry, as
always, for it was an unvaryng joke to
ONef 'bfeGr nectar TO us.
These ridiculous tablets are the founda-
ton of uncle's great fortune. lie was
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. l 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 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 at the time and my uncles valet
was sent across town to the factory on a
Christmas day for fresh supply in hon.
or of the little golden casket
Mr.. Greer always held 1t precious. The
breast pocket of his ample waistcoat is its
dwelling place. Upon this evening l
thought he put 1t away with an especial
ly caressing gesture. Then he kissed
Gladys upon the red gold curls above her
temples, kiss upon each SIDE as has
God help her! She Is only child now.
Shall she not have her youth and the
roses Of romance whatever thorns they
hide2
When Mr.. Greer had withdrawn to his
repose l found myself alone with Gladys
Ormond had left the room, l know not
how, but there was something In the ST.
lence and the mystery of it that inspired
me with a foolish alarm. My nerves were
on edge l would have started at a
shadow.
Gladys" said l, checking her at the
door, do you know which way we are
drifting?"
mo two Of us the same way, 1 fancy"
she replied "But let's not speak of it,
There is no engagement. no promIse''-
Between whom?' she asked, smiling.
And then with far different manner: Il
will not pretend that l do not know what
you mean. l 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 l can. love him
Who could help it? He is a very noble,
steadfast. honorable man"
This Is no secret" said I. 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"
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 1 flung myself into a
great chair and lost all track of time in
the depth of my meditation.
The opening of the outer door startled
me. / heard a stealthy step In the hail.
and. turning, 1 saw Loren, my uncle's
valet. He had taken some late excursion
without leave and was stealing In secret
ly. There was no harm In this fellow, and
80 l shut my eyes to his little mystery
Ten minutes later I 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 q 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 a few
minutes ago, and / saw Mr.. Ormond COM
ing out of Mr. Greer's room. He didn't
see me. sir, for stepped out of his way.
but he passed quite close, and l saw that
he had that gold box in his hand"
go on" said /. seeing that he had
more to tell.
II looked into his room, through the
keyhole." continued Loren. "He had TAX
en- the little tablets out of the box and
seemed to be painting one of them sir