nd Edward
hastened to inform him of the result. He was at his old haunt, and, as
usual, under the influence of stimulus when Edward entered.

"No satisfactory information could be obtained from the old
scoundrel," said he, throwing himself upon a lounge.

The events of the past few days had worn upon him, and his anxious
look did not escape Hank Glutter, who turned away to conceal his
exultation.

"Poor fellow, he too mourns for her," thought Edward, mistaking his
movement for one of grief.

After a moment's silence, Hank poured out something from the bar.
"Drink this, Sherman," said he, passing it to Edward, "I see you are
tired; it will strengthen you."

Since Edward's entrance, Dr. DeWolf had sat gazing at him fixedly. The
bleared, dull light of his eyes gave place to a keen, wild expression
as Edward accepted the proffered glass.

"Mr. Sherman," said he, in an unusually strong voice, "do you see what
is in that cup?"

"Why, yes, doctor; it is wine."

"Yes, surely it is wine," replied the other "and your inexperienced
eye sees nothing more than a harmless beverage; neither did this
bleared and bloated old man see more than that in his wine years ago.
Ah! could he have seen in his youth the vision in his cup which he now
sees in that which you now hold to your lips, he might have been
saved from a life of disgrace and ruin. The chain which once bound me
was as light as that which now binds you."

"No chain binds _me_," said Edward proudly. "I need not drink this
unless I choose."

"It seems but yesterday, Edward Sherman since I addressed similar
language to your father, and well do I remember his arguments to
induce me to abandon every beverage that could intoxicate. I recollect
how I loathed the drunkard, as you do me, and how my proud heart
rebelled at the humiliating thought that habit would ever become too
strong to be controlled by my will; but boastings were vain; the time
will shortly come when I shall sink into a drunkard's hell--and you,
poor Hank, will be there too," he continued, turning to Hank Glutter,
"you will be sent down to wait upon your customers. You must stand
behind your flaming bar and pour out the liquid fire and brimstone for
such as I; but, never mind, the traffic will enrich you with showers
of molten gold. No drop from God's pure fountain to cool your parched
tongue. One long eternal blaze shall light up your saloon. Drunken
devils reeling to and fro--Oh! I see them now"--and