Praper-Book and Ledger

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 6, 1 December 1895, Page 8

Praper-Book and Ledger

By M.S.P.

A SToKY FOUNDED ON FACT ALL KIOHTB HKBEKVKI). Chapter VI. It was a careworn face which greeted Mrs Broome as slie entered her little drawing-room an hour later, very unlike the Richard Joyce ol oui former acquaintance. Deep lines had furrowed themselves in his brow, and his mouth had the perpetually disappointed expression of a man hungry—hut not for bread. “ l trust,” he commenced in some embarrassment when, introductory greetings having taken place, Mrs Broome looked at him enquiringly,“ that you will excuse the liberty I have taken in calling upon you. I am greatly distressed with regard to a friend, and knowing of your good work in the Temperance cause, thought perhaps you might he able to help me.” Mrs Broome’s kindly interest was excited at once, and, having expressed her desire to assist him in any way, she begged him to proceed. “ My friend is a mairied lady, young, attractive, with a good home and two tint' little hoys, who has unfortunately acquired the habit of taking too much wine.” “ How did this commence, and how long has it been going on ? ” “ It commenced before the birth of her first child, when her father—a medical man prescribed stimulant for her. She was advised to continue it while nursing tin* child, to keep up her strength, an 1 so the habit has gradually been forming for the last four or five years.” “ And does this lady now become realty intoxicated ? ” Richard winced at the word. “ I fear so, he replied Mrs Broome sat up and looked straight into his eyes. “Now, Mr Joyce,” she said firmly, “if l am to help you, you must he perfectly candid with me. Is this lady your wife ? Richard looked confused for the moment, and then recognising that this woman was worthy of full confidence, rejoined, “ She is; my bebveti and honoured wife. ’ t Tears sprang unbidden to the eyes of his questioner, and this m irk cf sympathy unlocked tile fl >od-gates of Richard’s sorrow. Into no human eaiMiad he been able to pour his grief, and to none had any hint been given of the heavy and increasing load which he bore. Now he found relief in telling of the horror which had taken possession of his soul when his suspicions were first aroused ; of the revulsion of feeling when he loathed

and hated himself for having harboured the thought for a moment ; how he had wilfully closed his eyes, until it once more forced itself upon him, with a strength of conviction which could not he resisted. Ile had consulted the family doctor, who had advised change cf air and the breaking off of old associations. Pleadings and entreaties had been all in vain, promises of amendment being made only to be broken, and Gertrude- who hail really meant to reform—fell again and again, resorting to all kinds of subterfuges and deceit to obtain means to indulge the craving which held her in its fatal chains. At last, fearful of disgrace to the church, he had retired from holy orders. A partnership in a firm of successful merchants having been offered him he accepted it, and was doing well. But his life was wretched, all his hopes for the future blasted, and the pain of the terrible cancel which was eating its way into the heart of his domestic life became every day more unbearable. “ How does Mrs Joyce procure the stimulant ? ” Mrs Broome enquired. “ I do not know.—l always carry the keys of the wine-cupboard and cellar, and 1 cannot imagine where she gets it. I think the grocer must supply it, entering it as groceries. O my poor boys, what will become of them ! ” and the strong man groaned in his agony. Mrs Broome sympathised, soothed and cheered, and finally succeeded in imparting to Richard a hope considerably brighter than the one which animated her own breast She had seen too many of these cases to he very hopeful of them in a co intry where facilities abound on every hand for obtaining the poisonous cup. (To be continued.)