Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-01-11

rotten SelnSn.
There were no lights in the big
Ilounging-room, when Billy and Tommy
entered, nor was there any fitful red
glow in the wide fireplace. Silhou-
cited against the window. however,
was a bent figure, sitting so motion
less that at first they thought Hal
must be asleep. AS the light flashed
up the old man turned, and his face
was haggard.
I'm glad you came, Tommy"
The voice was husky and the eyes
were feverish. II have something to
say to Billy which | wish you to hear"
Lanes head was up in an instant.
IF it's in relation to what you
said in the office this afternoon, I'd
! like to have Tommy hear it, too.
you. What have l done?"
ASKED my daughter to marry you"
Billy's face flushed, but perpleXity
still struggled with his rising anger.
| "Of course l did. l had every
right to do So" He turned to Tommy.
1T is perhaps as well to tell you,
Tommy. that Miss Stuart is Halls
daughter"
II had gathered as much" Tommy
had stood by the door, with his hat
and gloves in his hand. Now he put
them on the table, and sat down. He
lit cigaret, and prepared himself for
most disagreeable task.
Just why should / not marry
| Tavy?" demanded Billy.
There is the reason!" and the old
man pointed to the decanter on the
table. I'D rather see her dead than
married to a drunkard."
See here!" Billy's voice was shak-
ing with anger. You've gone too
! far with this thing, Stuart! | can
quite understand that, because of
your own experience. you should have
an exaggerated dread of whisky, but
that you should stretch that attitude
! SO far as to call me a drunkard is
more than l have patience for"
ANY man who neglects his business
because he's intoxicated, who becomes
| drunk time after time, and is sur
prised that it happened, and who still
ciings to whisky, is a drunkard. or
| bids fair to become one" retorted
Stuart. II have watched you day
after day. Billy. You have been 60
/ ing exactly the path I went, to the
/ last minute step. You have exactly
the same kind and degree of craving
which had at your stage of develop
ment as drinker; and there is no
salvation for you unless you put
whisky absolutely out of your life."
"Ill never do it," Billy's jaws
were squared and his lips compressed.
| The deeanter stood near him. En-
/ tirely unconscious of the fact that it
was this very thing of which they
were talking, he poured himself q
drink, and pushed the decanter over
/ to Tommy. Tommy watched him cur
| iously. Billy. still unaware of what
he was doing, swallowed his drink
Il shall not relinquish my control of
any factor which enters into my file,'
| ne declared, as he set down his glass.
Then you shall never marry Tavy!"
| me old man was as steady now as
! BILLY, and there was as much deter
mination in his voice. He stood tall
and straight, and his white face was
rigid.
What will you do to prevent it?'
Lhere was lnsolence in that tone, the
lnsolence of youth and strength, but
II was excused by Billy's thorough
belief in himself and his rectitude.
Il don't know" returned Stuart
musingly. 81 have been thinking of
that and of nothing else ever since
lett the office. l shall do some
tning, however, when the time comes.
II ! nave wasted my life and theirs,
shall see that they run no further
chance of distress. / can do that
much at least" and there was the
light of growing fanaticism in his
eyes.
Billy gazed at him a moment in
credulously.
II hadn't expected this of Won
Stuart" 'N'
1T does look like ingratitude. -
admitted the older man. You
brought me back from worse than
death; you gave me a chance to be
man; you found my family for me:
you are making it possible for me
Forget that" interrupted RilIv
obligations"
Il must!'' Stuart's voice was
stralned and tense. 1T is because
owe you so much that this day has
brought me such pain. AS have
watched you, Billy, l have become
more and more concerned for you
but now the tragedy is SO much
greater since it affects nv daugh- =
ter, Billy, if only you were free
from this one danger, L would gladly
lay Iavy's hand in yours, and close
my eyes in peace. / have only one
nope: to convince you of your posi-
tlon. Tommy, you know Billy well:
you have known him all your life.
You have seen him year after wear
Tell me frankly; have you ever wor.
ried about his drinking?"
Yes" Tommy glowered at Stuart
Billy, L had intended to talk with
you myself, but after what you told
me tonight, | decided that Won
wouldn't need to talk"
That's right, Tommy" Billv,s
pleasure in Tommy's opinion was
boyishly frank. why, Stuart
wouldn't cause Tavy a moments dis.
tress for anything in the world," HI,
voice had suddenly grown kind 81
oont blame you for being excessively
AFRAID of the thing which destroved
you; but you mustn't let it warp youI
judgment" 'ou'
II don't" Stuart shook his hood
sadly I've seen Tommy drinking
nearly as often as you, but / know
that Tommy is in no danger. He will
go through life just as he is now
iou won't. You're one of us. one nj
those who dare not touch whisky
and the signs are as plain to my 9ves
as the mark on the brow OF Gain
Listen, Billy. You are the last mar
on earth, against whom | could hold
enmity or against whom / would wish
TO be unjust; but, until YOU have
shown me that you are permanentIv
stronger than this stuff, YOU mus
never marry Tavy!"
Ihats something we can agrea
on" and Billy, laughing good naturad
~ walked over and extended his hand
TO the old man. There was a FIRE.
mendous appeal in Billy. He. was !
Dig, fine looking boy, and his sn,iIa
was so contagious that it had smo ootb
ed all paths for him. Stuart sinai