The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-12-21


/ seDtimentalize glass of soda water. No.
there was decidedly no love in The case.
What curious ring that isl! said Elliott to her,
day or two after. as they were reading together.
Its q knights ring she said playfuly as she
drew it off, and pointed to cross set in the
gold, "a ring of the Red Cross Knights. Come
now. have great mind to bind you my SER
vice with it,
DO, lady fair!' said Elliot. stretching out his
hand for the ring.
Know then, said she, 'if you take this pledge
you must obey whatever commands lay upon you
in its name.'
Il swear!' said Elliot, iD a mock heroic tone, and
placing the ring his finger.
An evening or two AFTER Elliott attended Flor
enee TO party at Mrs BIS. Every,hi
4 gay and brilliant, and there lack either of
wit or wine. Elliot standing in little alcove,
spread with refreshments, with glass Of wine in
his hand.
L forbid it; the cup is poisonel,' said voice in
his ear.
He turned quickly and Florence at his side,
Every one was busy, with laughing and talking
around, and nobody saw the sudden start and
4 flush which these words produced. Elliott look
ed in the lady's face She smiled and ponted
4 play fully to the ring; but after ALL there was
expression in ber face of agitation and interest,
which she could not repress, and Elliott felt how
ever playful the manner, that she was in earnest;
and she glided away in the crow d. he stood with
his arms folded, and his eyes Inteuty fixed on the
spot where she had disappeared
/ 1t is possible that am suspected-that there
r
the first thoughts that flashed through his mind.
How strange, that may appear doomed,
given up and lost to the eye of every locker on,
before he begins to suspect himself! This was
the first time that any refined apprehenslons of
the loss of character had occurred to the mind Of
Elliott, and he was startled as from dream.
What is the matter with you, Elliott! You
look as solemn as a hearse!" said young man
near by.
Has Miss Elmore cut you?' said another.
Come man, have glass;, said a third.
Let him alone; he's bewitched. said fourth
Il saw the spell laid on him. None can say but
our turn may come next
An hour later that evening" Florence was talk
ing with her usual spirit, to group who were
collected around her when suddenly looking up
she Elliott standing in distracted manner
at one of the windows that looked into the bal
/ cony.
He is offended l dare say she thought; why
should l care? For once in my life have tri
ed do the right thing, good thing; have risk
ed giving offence for less than this, many time
Still Florence could not but feel tremuIous when,
few momsnts after, Elliott approached hsr,
and offered his arm for promenade. They
walked up and down the room, she talked volubly,
and he answering yes and any thing else
at cross purposes, at length as if by accident, he
drew her into the balcony that overhung the gar
den. The moon shining brightly, and every
thing without, 10 its placid quetness, contrasted
strongly with the busy hurryng within.
sMiss Elmore,' said Elliott abruptly, may ask
you, sincerely, had you any design in remark
you made to me in the early part of the EVENING"?
Florence paused, though habituay the most
practiced and self possessed of women, the color
actually receded from her cheek as shs answer
ed
Yes, Mr.. Elliott must confess to you that
had.'
And is it possible, then, that you have heard
any ihing7'
4 have heard MIR. Elliott that which makes me
tremble for you, and for those whose life know
is bound up in you; and tell me it well.
friendly in me, to know that such things were
said, that such danger existed, and not TO warn you
of il?'
Elliott stood for few moments in silence.
Have offended? Have taken too great q
liberty? said Florence gently.
Hitherto Elliott had only seen in Florence the
.1Ic L.
fashion; but there reality and depth of
feeling in the few words she had spoken to him in
this interview, that opened to him entirely new
view n her character.
No, Miss Emore,' said he, earnestly, after
some pause.I may be pained, offended cannot be
To tell the truth, Ihave been thoughtless, excited.
dazzed, my 81 irts, naturally buoyant, haveicarri
ed me, often too far, and lately, have often pain
fully suspected my own powers of resistance;
have really felt that needed help. but have been
too proud to confess. to myself that need
ed it. You Miss Elmore, have done what no one
else could have done. l am overwhelmed with
gratitude and shall bless you for to the last day
Of my life. am ready to pledge myself to any
thing you may ask on the subject
Then said Florence, do not shrink from doing
what is safe and necessary and right for you to do
because you have once said you would not do it,
| You understand mel!
Precisely said Elliot, and you shall be obey
ed
1t was not more than week before the news
was circulated that even George Elliot had signed
the pledge Of temperance. There was much won
dering at this sudden turn, among those who had
known his utter repugnance to any measure of
the kind, aud the extent to which be had yielded
to temptation; but few knew how fine and delicate
had been the touch to which his pride had yield
| ed. -.-
! OLD VoLuMEs.-Thsse lines. says the Chris