The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-03-19

n unusually temperate, and you do not nee
c to be told that temperance is great vir
= tue."
/ Winthrop said this with assumed care
q lessness and lightness of manner, anc
f under other circumstances, it would have
passed of with Dunning as kind oi
railery which meant very little. Blu,
his peculiar state of mind led him to OBJ
, serve his friend more closely, and be
was convinced that this lightness Of man
ner was only assumed to hide more OF
real interest in the subject than he cared
to display. A new revolution now dawn
ed upon the mind Of Arthur Dunuing
!, After moments silence, he said with
, emphasis,
/ Il have one question to ask you,
Winthrop. ] conjure you to give me a
truthful answer"
Winthrop seemed little startled by
his friends manner, but replied, though
not without some EN- barrassment, that
tie was ready to answer any civil ques-
ton.
Then tell me truly, if you or any of
my friends have feared that l was in
danger from the wine-cup'"
"Yes, truly We have" answered
Winthrop gravely. We have feared
for you more than we can easily End
words to express, though l must confess
s to timidity, which l fear is wrong
t that would have withheld nae from tell
e ing you SO, if you had not asked me the
0 question but now you cannot be offend
$ ed with me-
e Il am not offended, replied Duuuiug
I seriously. "But the admission you
. have just make startled me. l would
think over the matter in solitude before
making it the subject Of conversation
with any one.'
You are are right said Winthrop,
rising to leave. What conclusion you
may arrive at, I hope you will at least
believe that have been actuated only
by warm and sincere friendship for you,
in making the admission have
After his friend has left, Arthur Dun
ming sat long time musing on this sub
ject.
is it possible, he asked himself, shat
so many of my friends can have thought
me in danger from this source, and yet
Miss Hastings was the first to warn me.
| suppose they dared not do it. The
gentle Ellen alone had heroism enough
to brave my displeasure. She knew
that | was displeased with her last eve
ming, and was troubled by it. could
read that in her countcnance. Well, L
was disposed to resent it then ! thought
there was no cause for her warning but
begin to thiuk l was mistaken. l may
be standing on the brink Of a fearful
precipice, for which many more noble
and manly than myself, have been dash
down to destruction. l do love the wine
cup: there is no denying this l love
it more than dreamed Of Am I not
in danger' Noble girl! You alone
had the courage to warn me and the
wa rning shall not be in vain. Oh, thou
mocker and deceiver from this hour
we part company. Touch not, taste
not, handle not, shall be my motto
There is no safety in half measures. |
will bid thee an eternal farewell, and
then must be safe. Friends shall no
more trembe for Arthur Dunning."
Having thus settled this most impor-
tant poiut, the thought Of Arthur again
turned to Ellen Hastings.
"She thinks am displeased with her
frankuess. | must seek an interview,
and assure her that this is now not the
case. l must also inform her this is the
third time che has been my kind mentor
aud guardian angel. But where can /
meet herr / think she will be at Mrs.
Lees party tomorrow evening If do
not find the opportunity | wish for there
| must seek it elsewhere
Arthur Dunniug was not disappoint-
ed in regard to meeting Ellen at the par
ty the next evening. Arthur was on
the watch for an opportunity Of address
ing her without being overheard by otli-
ers, but be carefully avoided proximity
to her until such opportunity should oe-
our Ellen perceived that Arthur 'vo'a''