The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-05-05

good an offer as DR.. Ward answered
Mrs. Small.
"But seriously, Ada" she continued,
speaking in kind, motherIy tone, to
her niece, 'what is it that troubles
you! have noticed the shadow that
has rested upon your usually calm
brow all day, and am at a loss how to
account for it,
"WelI, really, aunt" she replied, 81
can hardly tell; perhaps it is wrong OF
me; but cannot feel otherwise than
troubled about the contents of that
letter which received concerning the
habits Of DR.. Ward.'
"Well, Ada, although think your
fears are groundIess, but, feeling as
you do, Ishould advise you to mention
the matter to DR.. Ward" said Mrs.
Small.
"That have already done, dear
aunt replied Ada; that is, did not
tell him about the letter, nor speak
directly about his own conduct; but |
spoke to him of the evils arising from
intcmpcrancc, and he said that, in
many respects, he concurrcd in my
opinions; but he thought a man might
drink intoxicating liquors, and drink
frequently y without being in any dan
ger Of becoming drunkard, if he
was possessed Of any reason or judg'
mcnt. And then. when warned him
10 beware, he laughed at my fears,
and told me that ! should have more
confidence in him than to think he
would ever SO far forget himself as to
become common drunkard.'
"And did not this assurance satisfy
you, Ada!' asked her aunt.
son the contrary, it has only excl
ted my fears, in IL greater degree, for
he made light Of my anxiety, and
! spoke rather in favor Of intoxicating
| liquors, while | have such horror Of
all Such;' aud a prcceplabIe shuddcr
passed through the Young girls frame
as She spoke
"Fecing as you do, Ada, ! think it
would be better for you TO speak plain
ly and directly to DR.. Ward upon the
subject which troubles you 50 very
much, although think your ears and
anxiety are without any just cause
said Mrs. Small.
81 think shall do as you advise,
aunt" replied Ada.
Here their conversation was inter
rupted by a servant, who informed
/ Ada that Dr.. Ward was await.
ing her in the parIor. After pausing
! IA few moments before u mirror, to ar
range her somewhat dishevrlled curls.
she hastcncd to meet DR.. Ward, her
/ betrothed husband
Ada Ford told him, that evening Of
the anonymous letter she had received
from S., deLouncing him as n
wine bibbcr, also, her fears and anxi-
ETY. on his account; and now, when
the subject was laid plainly before
him, he made every effort, and used
every argument in his power to quiet
the tears of the beautiful and fondly
loved girl. And he succeeded; for his
eloquent pleadings, added to those OF
her own heart, were sufficient to allay
her fears, and cause her to feel that
she had wronged him by even indulg-
ing the thought that he, in whom she
saw SO many noble qualities, could be
guilty Of !ndulging in that vice. the
very thought Of which filled her with
horror and disgust.
When Gilbert Ward went out from
the presence Of Ada Ford, he left her
happy-hap than she had been for
many days; and he, too, was happy ;
happy in the assurance that. in two
short months, he was to come and
claim the beautiful Ada, the idol OF
his heart, as his bride.
AS hc wcndad his way from the
residence OF Mrs. Small, he resolved
i'll his heart that, for the sake of his
beautiful bctrOthcd, he would taste no
more of the sparkling bowl. But,
alas temptation lay in his path; lac
was not strong to resist, and his good
resolutions were broken.
| The few weeks that intervened be
fore TIE marriage of DR.. Ward and
Ada, passed rapidly by. If Il fear o.
evil, or a dread of the future, caused
the fair brow of our heroine to be
clOuded for few moments, these fear:
were quickly dispelIed by the gay rail
lery of her cousins, and the motherl,
counsel and encouragement Of hel
kind aunt.
AT length the important day arriv
ed. They were married very quietly,
in the little brown stone church in