Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-03-12
"Thy will, and thine alone,
Forever and day,
BY sea and land thro' fire and food,
We promise to obey"

About month after, Edward and his cous-
in found themselves listening to the eloquent
appeals of Wellknown temperance lectu-
rer. He dwelt upon the woes and ruin of
intemperance, and the responsibility Of every
one who did not do all in his power to rene
dy the evil. AT the close of the lecture the
pledge was passed among the audience
When it came to where they were sitting,
Emma took it, and Offering Edward her pen
ell, whispered, let the Knight Of the Ring
let perform his vow' He looked at her en-
quiringly. She traced her own name be-
meath those written there, and bade him do
the same. For an instant he hesitated, and
was half offended with her for the stratagom;
tut good sense and politcness both forbade
refusal, and he complied.
/ 1t was a more delicate task to exert the
same influence over the proud and sensitive
Sayille, butatleugth the opportunity occSrred.
Oneevening, as be mingled with the groups
that filed the splendid drawing-rooms of the
fashionable Mrs. B, one Of his acquain-
tances came up and filling two glasses with
wine that stood or the marble side-table, Of
fered enc to him. As he was raising it to
his lips, rose !ud fell over his shoulder into
the glass, and a voice near him said, in low,
musical tones, Touch it not Knight OF the
and turning, be saw Emma standing beside
him. AS she met his gaze, she passed her
delicate hand through the dark curls that
shaded her lovely face, and shaking her fin
F ger at him impressively, was lost in the
crowd. Saville stood looking after her with
a bewildered air, as if lost in thought, until
the laugh of his companion brought him &c
) himself. Excuse me- he said, putting
down the glass. You saw the spell flung
over me; am under oath to obey the be
hests Of beauty"
Emma watched him through the evening
, but he seemed to avoid her, and appeared
T thoughtful and sad. They did not NEE
I again until at a late hour; she was stepping
r into her carriage to return home when sud
denly he appeared at her side and, assisting
q her in to it, entreated, Fair queen, permit
: the humblest of your most loyal subjects tn,
). homer of escorting you to the palace Sh'
I as sented and the carriage had no soone
o started than, in a voice trembling with ear
: nestness, he added, and permit me to asl
;. if your command this evening was merel,
an exercise of power, OF did q deeper mean
d ing lie therein?
VI i did mean to warn you,' said Emma
h gently, that there was poison in the glass
It slow, perchance, but sure
p And do you think me IN danger, BIS
[eI Leslie p
/ think all in danger who do not ador
of the rule of total abstinence land pardon mt
ty if say that, with your excitatle tempers
,g ment, l imagine you to be in more than ord
1e nary peril
IN There was a long pause. When he spoil
n again his tones were calmer.
i did not imagine could ever become
Mt slave to appetite, Often, while sufferir
Is. from the fatigue induced by writing, ha'
be taken brandy, and been revived by it. Som
times before going to speak in public ha
zee felt the need Of artificial stimulus to invigo
* ate my shattered nerves. Do you think til
his improper indulgence
lat DO you not fnd,' said Emma. that III
lassitude returns more frequently, and reql
Ich res more stimulus to overcome it than f
nes merlyp
so 1t is true said he, thoughtfully : / oft
nee speak with more fuency when under su
aus excitement, than / can possibly do at otl
rit- times
Once it was not so,' said Emma, kind
ave Very true; but this kind Of life wears
my system. | cannot get though with
said public duties without help Of this kind
pers Does not this show replied Emma, t