The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-11-09

NY9 James 's
"This is a most strange and unac-
countable demand, Lilly. Is it possible
that you eau so doubt me"
Lilly put her snow-white little hand,
sparkling with rings, over her lips, with
half playful, vexed motion.
''That's not the question, at all. My
betrothed husbaud-the man that is TO
be honored with this hand which you
will presist in holding so firmly-don't
squeeze it so hard, ST. James, -must give
me his solemn werd of honor that from
this moment, henceforth, not drop of
wine shall ever pass his lips. Twill new
er have my life endangered by that spark
ling serpent"
"My darling Lilly YOU do not discrim-
mate. There is wide difference be-
tween the tiny glass of champagne, taken
among gay and social circle, and the
far grosser and more injurious stimulate,
which has become necessity to the
wretched victim of intemperance."
81 make no distinctions" said Lilly
Brooke. firmly. You do not know, St.
James, bow fatal and insedious an enemy
is that one fairy glass of ruby wine; and,
in my eyes, one glass is rs obnoxious rs
ten thousandw
St, James bingham drew up his mag
nificent figure with indignant pride.
D"Iunderstand what you mean, Lilly"
he said; s.but believe re, there is no dam
ger. Do you give me credit for no self
controI-and no judgment whatever g.
| should despise myself" he exclaimed,
ia tone of most unutterable hauteur,
."did / not know exactly when to stop
"Do you promises" was Liily's sim.
pie reply. $50
"You show little confidence in moral
strength and judgment Of hlm who is to
be your future husband said st. James,
much piqued.
"Dew St. James!' said Lilly, plead
iugIy, as.sho drod nearerto him, with 6
soft tinge Of crimson on her lovely cheek
.'do not let is dispute longer on this sub
jact. Only promise me. dearest"
"Well them" said Eiiingham, smiling
Involuntary, although he had resolved
to be very stern, II promise you, pro
voking lit.lo witch. Are you satisfe,
inos?''2 a,,.-.sr..1 ~,
"On your solemn word Of honor?' =.
"On my solemn word of honor."'
Lilly was SO smiling and ardent in hel
happy triumph at having carried he
point, that St, James stopped bis tai
head to kiss her bright dimpled lips, ant
secretly thought:
"What happy dog amto call thu
beautiful little creature my own? NJ
sacrifice whatever, could be too great to
lay the shrine of her peremptory .litt'e
will, Sand so Mr.. Effingham thought
4 And who will venture to blame Lilly
for thinking as she stood at the satin
draped windows, watching her departing
lover, that he was tho noblest and hand
soonest man in the whole world? Dc
not all maidens think so at some period
of their liv es? ts5aif Il
| X X
"A glass of wine, Efinghsm, my boy?'
qucried young Altanont, as Efiingham
stopped in at his room at the ST. Nichol.
as, the same afternoon Ti -sg
.sNo," said James, carelessly putting
aside the tiny acorn shell of cut and gid.
ed glass, and trimming with crimson
wine which was proffered to him. II don;
care for it, thank YOU" 1
4 MOI. exclaimed .Altamont,. arching
his eye in extreme surprise
No" returned dillingham;, somewhat
embarrassed. "The truth is that not half
az hour ago promised my wife that is
to be, never again to drink a glass of
wine, and I must keep my word .a-
"O-how said Alsmont, laughing
80 you begin TO feel already the gal
ling yoke Of Hymen, inspite of the flowers
that cover it! what tyrants these women
are II .sv yi.s ssh cas- z
St. James made some light reply, but
in bis secret heart he was angry and irri-
tated both with himself and Lilly. Per-
haps he thought she had been. not only
arbitrary but also unreasonable. .gr.1
Beyond all question the handsotnest
couple at Mrs. 'Granger's grand soiree
that night were st. James Effingham and
Lillian Brooke, and many an cnvying
and adlniripg glance WAS east on them as