The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-10-27
A CASE OF VERTIGO
BY J. c. PLuMMER.

AL cFcHIHB spent Win I6llOW cap
tains. joyial and bibulous, is not con
ducive to sobriety and, despite resolves
to the contrary, Captain Strong left
the party drunk.
Most people would regard an oc
casional lapse from sobriety as a mere
matter of headache, brandy and soda
and brand new resolve, but 1t was
not just SO with Captain Strong. He
was much in love with Doris Grey, one
OF the prettiest girls in Newcastle. and
he was engaged to her Professionally
He had promised to refrain absolutely
from ardent spirits and on this prom
ise Miss Grey had allowed herself to be
engaged. AS a private citizens actions
would seem possible for Captain
Strong to get drunk in America and
his dereliction not be known to a girl
IN England. but there was Mackay.
Captain Mackay, stern old temper
ance advocate. secretary of the Sea
mans Blue Ribbon society, was Doris
Grey's uncle and guardian. 1t was
Mackay who had consented with bad
grace to his niece's engagement on the
promise alluded to, and 1t was Mackay
who would instantly have 1t broken II
the promise was not kept. His influ-
ence over her was great and she was
also an enthusiastic temperance work
ex who hated strong drink as fercely
as did her uncle.
Captain Maekay was now in Balti
more In command of his steamer and
hence the foreboding that the unfor
tunate fate OF Captain Strong would
bring him In contact with Captain Mac
kay this very evening.
1T would be just my luck" muttered
the captain. gloomily "I'n take q
tram and go to the steamer"
He entered the car with waverine
step. fell heavily into a seat and his
eyes roved vacuously around the cal
until they fixed themselves with q
stony stare. for. directly opposite with
a queer expression on his weather
beaten face, sat Capt Andrew Mackay
He had witnessed the entrance of Cap
tain Strong into the car and was evi
IDENTIFY fully aware Of the cause Of his
stumbling into the seat
For a moment the befogged brain OF
Captain Strong wrestled with the prob
lens as to whether he should speak
to Mackay. keep silent or get OF the
car, but Mackay settled the matter by
arising and abruptly getting of the
car himself. Captain Strong's eyes fol
lowed him as. under the glare of q
street lamp. he walked with a strange
ly hating step to the pavement and
then stood with his arm around the
lamp post
He's so angry he can't even walk.
murmured Captain Strong to himself
~Hs all over with me now"
During the next day Captain Strong
expected Wait. thunderous and de
mandatory visit. from Mackay. but the
visit was not paid and in the after
noon Captain Mackay's steamer pulled
out from the pier and started on hel
voyage to England, leaving Captain
Strong in a most perturbed state o.
mind
Some men conceal their troubles IL
their breasts as the Spartan boy die
the fox and let 1t gnaw there, bu
others seek contidants. and SO die
Strong. He laid the matter before Mr.
Stokes. his quartermaster, and asked
his advice.
Mr.. Stokes listened alphabetically
He was not Blue Ribboner and he
had sailed a number OF years with Cap
tain Mackay.
THE pint of the thing ia that Mac
kay didn't see you drink hanything, 81
he can't swear you were drunk Wer
.tgo 3 the word for this MIX" re
marked the old man. cooliy.
'Vertigo?" exclaimed Captain Strong
"Yes. vertigo. men stagger hawfu
when they have 1t and it's a common
complaint"
Il don't want to lie about It," object
cd Captain Strong.
There's times when lying must b,
DONE" said Mr.. Stokes with firmness
"and this Is one Of them"
The bewildered captain considered
the situation without committing him
self to Mr.. Stokes expedient
When the Talisman entered tn,
Tyne 1t was too late to dock, so sh,
dropped her anchors in the stream
Captain Strong did not go ashore
Newcastle had no charms for him. T,
be coldly received by Doris was a blow
from which he recoiled and he fel
sure, strong-minded enthusiastic girl al
she was. that his weakness would b,
bitterly resented. He simply turne.
In and dreamed depressing dreams.
In the morning he started for the OF
fee to report his arrival and on tn,
way came face to face with Doris. Sh,
acknowledged his salutation cold,
and swiftly passed on without givinl
him chance to say word. When tn,
captain returned to his steamer In tn
lowest possible spirits Stokes con
tronted him at the gangway.
He had a grin on his face as h
said:
Captain Mackay's been aboard. H
wanted to have a talk with me an,
says he wants to see you"
Captain Strong said nothing. He di
not want to see Mackay and he walke
up and down the bridge until the whir
and chatter Of the blocks as they hoist
ed up the cargo set him mad and b
left the ship. He went to the Office
where a clerk told him Captain Ma
kay had inquired for him. What coult
kackay want with him? To insul
him probably on top Of his presen
troubles. He would stand no lecturinI
from him. He took long walk int
the suburbs and was returning slowl
when he felt himself seized and pushe
against wall.
Vertigo" exclaimed Stokes voice
It'll be the death of i'm"
Strong angrily shook himself fire.
and was about to pour out the walls Q
his wrath on Stokes when he notice
Miss Grey standing near laughing.
hope you will recover, Captain Strong.
she said. and walked on.
What the devil did you mean b
that?" asked the captain of the grin
ming Stokes.
Il was a helpin' you out, don't 20
see? / was shown the young ledd
how you had vertigo" and with TIL
remark Mr. Stokes disappeared into
public house.
Captain Strong continued his cours
to the steamer and was disagreeabl
surprised to find Captain Mackay sea
ed In the cabin waiting for him.
Il want to have word or two wit
you. Duncan" suid he. THE last tim
we met was In q tram car In Bait