Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-10-22
The Broken Promise.
"wilI you promise the. St. James?"


my darling Lilly, you do not discriminate.
There ia a wide difference between the tiny
glass of champagne, taken among n gay, 20.
cal circle, and the far grosser and more inju-
IiOuS stimulant, which has become necessity
to the wrctched victim Of intcmperance."
81 make no distinctions. said Lilly Brooke,
firmly. "YOu do not know, st. James, how
fatal and inSidiOus an enemy is that one fairy
glass Of ruby wine and, in my eyes, one glass
is rs obnoxious aS ten thousand !"
ST. James Effingham drew up his magniG-
cent figure ~ith indignant pride
understand what you mean, Lilly" he
said; "bnt, believe me, there is no danger
DO you give me credit for no Sef-control
no judgment whatever? Il should dcSpisc my
SELF" he exclaimed, in tone Of most unuttera-
ble hGVteur, "did not know exactly when
TO stop"
"Do you promise ?" was LiTy's simple re.
"You show little confidence in the moral
strength and judgment Of him who is to be
your future husband" said St. james, much
dear St. James!" said Lilly, pleadinely,
aS she drew nearer to him, with soft tinge
Of crimson on her lovely cheek, "do not let
us dispute longer on the subject. Only prom
iSc me, dearest"
"Well, tlicn," said Eflnsham, smiling in.
voluntarily, although he had resolved to be
very stern, :" premise you, provoking little
witch Are you satisfied now 7"
""On your solemn word Of honor?"
"On my solemn word Of honor |"
Lilly was 80 smiling and radiant in her
happy triumria Mt having carried her point,
that st. James stopped his tall head to kiss
her bright dmpled lips, and secretly thought
"What happy dog am to call this beau.
tiful little creature my Own!"IN No sacrifice
whatever could bc too great to lay at the
shrine Of her pcremptory little will, and SO
Mr.. Efiinghnn thought.
Aud who will blame Lilly for thinking, as
she stood at the satin draprd windows, watch
ing her departing lover, that he was the mo-
best and handsomeSt man in the world? DO
not oil naidens think SO at some period Of
their lives!
"A glass Of wine, Effingham. my boy P"
qucrird young Altam0unt, as Eiiinghan stop
ped in ut his room at the ST. Nicholas the
same afternoon.
NO" said James, carclcssly putting nsdr
the tiny acorn shell Of cut and gidcd glass,
and brimming with crimson wine which was
prOffrred to him. ~ don't care for it, thank
you"
moi" exclaimed Altamount, arching his
eyes in extreme surprise.
mo" returned EiIinghnm, somewhat EN-
barraSScd. 1.-The truth Is, that not more than
half an hour ago promised my wife, that is
to be, never again To drink glass Of wine,
and must keep my word"
you begin to feel already the Calling yoke Of
Human in cV,itn Of tho Hnunrc fl,of Unv.,r "a
What tyrantS these women are
St. James made some light reply, but in his
secret heart he was angry and rritated both
with himself and Lilly. Perhaps he thought
she had been arbitrary and unreasonable.
Beyond all question the handomest couple
at Mrs. Grangrr's grand Soirec, that night,
were st. James EllinSham and Lillian Brooke
and many an cnvying and admirinS glance
was cast on them as they passed amid. the
crowd. Love, wealth, youth and beauty
every circumstance was linged with the bright
est cOlors for their young eyes.
While they were standing together in m
alcOve, full Of bloSSOming myrtcS and creamy
roses, rcpnSinG from the faticues Of brilliant
waltz, Dame Gossip, in the refrcShment SALOON,
was busy about their affairs.
"Whcrc are that devoted couple, Effingham
and Miss BroOkcY" inquired Bell Stanley, a
daSlIing young coquette, ,whor rumOr whispered
had been intensely disappointed at losing the
brilliant Efingham for herself.
"Oh, talking sentiment, somewhere" re-
piled Altamount, whOwas helping her to some
delicacy. "By -thc.way, must tell you some
thing glorious about st. james. Would you
believe that his inamorata has exactcd the
solemn promise from him never again TO touch
wine 2" .
"You don't tell me sol" said Bell in sur.
prise. -J
"It's fact-1 had it from St. James him.
SELF"
"What fool," said Bell curving her scar.
let lip contcmptuously. "Tll wager that
make him break his promise before an hour
has elapsed"
Hush-hcrc he comes" said Altnmount,
as EfhnghaTn entered the room on some mis-.
sion from Lilly. Bell s large, brilliant eyes
were bent full on his face, and he could not
avoid pAIsing to exchange gay word or two
with her as he passed.
She inS'a'. .taneously assailed him with lively
reprO0ches for his neglect of her during the
whNlc evening.
~Don't you think ought to inGict some
very severe penanCe upon your" she conclu-
dcd archly.
~ trust you will not be too severe, he gaily
replied. "I'm fully sensible Ofthe magnitude
Of my errors"
" "rhen," she MUrmUVe.L, with a sOftened
lustrc in her splendid eyes, and q magical
music in her voice, 1--WE will seal your pardon
in glass Of champagne"
lie hesitnted, Us she smilingly held out n
foaming wine.glaSs.
Anything but that, Miss Stanley" he
stammered.
{" "Thrn It ia trle :" said Bell, eonecmptOusly.
Your betrothcd cannot trust y0u without n
prOmiSe-.a fine sample of the petticoat govern.
IMent you are hereafter to be favored with"
Mr.. Efingham msde no reply. lie felt
himself in rather an embarrassing situation,
and hehcartSy execFatcd that annoying prom.
Use.
Just ore glass" pleaded tho lovely teOpt.
rcss, as he still hpsiAated.
"You are an absolute savage, St. James.
said Altnmount, "to refuse It from SUch &
hand |"
Alasl how easy it is to yield. In that sin
gle moment Of uncertainty, St. James was Inst
liz took the one sparkling glass from the dark
eyed Circe. and in an instant, the small invisi
ble barrier erected t. stem the tides Of his "a