The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-05-24
Selett Stnrp.
The kidnapping Of George Selby.
BY w. R. ROSE.

| mo, Martin, Sne presently proke tns
silence, 81 cannot be persuaded.
He looked at her tenderly.
81 am selfish enough to think you are
wrong," he said, "but that's lover S
unfairness. Anyway, there is no question
about the beauty of the sacrifice you are
making
"I am only doing what believe to be
my duty, Martin.
"And you would marry me if it were
not for George?''
She hesitated moment.
'I-I think would, Martin.
He moistened his lips.
"George looms very large and very for
midable,' he said. "What can be done
with him?''
The girl sig he'd.
"Nothing'
There was little silence.
''It isn't right murmured the man
beneath his breath, and there was bitter
ness in his tone.
sit is the only thing l can do, said
the girl.
"You know he isn't worth the sacri-
fee. -
"He is my brother -
The man drew long breath.
"Such brother"
The girl 8 face flushed.
81 cannot discuss this even with you,
Martin. l must do my duty as l see it.
George needs my care. My mother with
her last words asked me to watch over
him, to be his helpful friend when all
others deserted him. l will carry out my
promise.
The young man looked up eagerly.
"Let Inc help you care for him, Mar
gerry"
''No, Martin. Heshall be my disgrace
alone
Her head dropped, her gaze was turned
from him.
"And can nothing be done?''
Nothing have had the best medi-
cal advice. 1t was of no avail. He will
do nothing to help himself. He it utterly
Indifferent to his condition. IF he cannot
get brandy, he resorts to morphine. He
has been given the socalled cures. The
instant the next temptation assailed him
he fell before it. There is but one thing
that promises any relief. If he could be
taken away from this perilous atmosphere,
far away from these wicked friends who
are sapping his life and his money, if he
| could be made to fight out the battle with
himself alone and unaided-why, it would
either cure or kill him. And that they
tell me, is the only hope
Martin stared hard at the floor.
81 would be glad to help George if 1
could" he said, "but he repels me. He
appears to regard me as an enemy" He
paused and then looked up. 81 have told
you, Margery, that on your decision an
important move in my career depends. If
you will marry me l will remain here in
Somerton. If not: 1 will accept an offer
l have to go to Egypt where contracting
engineer is needed. He looked at her
anxiously. els there any hope?'
"No, Martini
81 will be gone at least two years -
"Yes."
"Will you wait, Margery?''
''Do not ask me to make any promises,
Martin. l cannot tell what may happen." "
He hesitated an instant.
"You have sufficient income?'
"Yes' He arose.
81 must wire my acceptance of the offer
tonight and start tomorrow
Before she could answer this the out
side door was noissly slammed and heavy
football was heard in the hall. The girl
drew little nearer to her guest. A young
man staggered through the doorway. He
was very slender and very pale-and very
drunk.
"Georger' said the girlin pitiful cry.
"What's that?' he muttered thickly.
as that you, Martin Henley? What
you doing here? Maxim love to my sis
ter? She don't want nothin' to do with
you. She's got her dear brother to look
after. Good night, Martin Henley, goo
night He lurched toward the sofa and
fell upon it heavily.
Martin Henley, his eyes avoiding those
of the girl, passed into the hall. The girl
followed him. He turned quickly as they
neared the outer door.
"You say the only hope for George is
a new scene and new surroundings"
eyes," she whispered.
"Come back here, sister, the profit
gate called. 81 need you. Don't you
hear me? Ineed you" And the maud
lin voice trailed off in discordant song.
Martin Henley put out his hand.
"Goodbye, Martin
And he was gone.
IF he could have looked back into the
hallway he would have seen the girl lean
ing against the wall and sobbing as if her
heart would break.
Quite unconscious of this, however, he
strobe along, a new and strange idea dull
ing the pain of the departure. The idea
still held possession of his mind when he
entered the telegraph Office and penned his
dispatch accepting the Egyptian offer.
When tea time came the next day and
George did not return, Margery Selby felt
little anxiety. He was an idler and came
and went as he chose. When the small
sums of money she allowed him were spent
he usually wandered home. Ordinarily
he had enough sense to seek his home be-
fore he was too stupe6ed to find it.
When he did not return at IL clock
the girl began to worry a little. Going to
the front windows she peered out into the
street. A boy was coming through the
gateway. The lamplight shone on the
brass badge on his cap. Margery hurried
to the door and trembling read the tele-
gram that was handed her.
This was the message it brought:
''Have kidnapped George. Am trying
the only hope. Don't worry. Martin
Henley
Tho talooro,,, Arktarod from, har hands