Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1860-10-06

I
Several weeks wore away. and vet Lifts
was never in public in anything bu, drab
1t is ridiculous in child Of her years,
said lady, ms Lta entered large dry
goods establishment" perfectly -ridcu
lous. l suppose she thinks it will pass fol
excentricity, but 1t is not it Is downright
folly. Ii she was my girl I'd shut her up
in the house aud keep her npon bread and
water, before I'd see her making such a
simpleton Of herself Only see that drab
bonnet, with its white ruchc and and strings
and the drab silk dress and cape. quite
suitable for her grandmother |" ~
/ have heard her called one Of the finest
dressed ladies upon the street, to-day. by a
gentleman from Europe" replied the clerk.
" and he expressed desire to obtain an in.
PRODUCTION to her."
All, indeed" said the lady, tossing her
bead. " Show me some lilac moires."
Frederic Ross" said Charley Chester.
drawing Fred's arm within his own, as they
left the crowd who thronged Mrs. Gran
ville's musical assemblies, "will you walk
with me 4? have something to say-a few
questions to ask you, If you will not deem
it impertinent in me.p
Frederic readily aceeded to the request,
and no sooner were they alone, than Char
lie said ;
Perhaps you will think it strange, but
| am anxious to know why you so sudden.
ly left off your b abt Of taking a fashion
able glass; 1t alarmed me. l said when.
ever l saw you turn from it, is 1t possible
that be fears to trust himself? or what has
wrought this change in him p And now
will you not give me the key that will un-
lock this mystery ?"
Yes, Charlie, WILL" was the ready
reply. Aud then he proceeded to tell him
the circumstances that led to this change
in his habits, emitting to relate that bis
name was particularly mentioned as the one
over whom Lita especially feared the inau-
ence Of her brothers example.
Your sister is an angel of goodness,
Fred you may well be proud of aud wor-
ship her. II more ladies would take the
stand she has done, young men would have
higher inducements to break from fasbiona-
BILE folIies but instead of that they smile
upon any custom which dear, delighted
Mrs. Grundy' sanctions, and give the cold
shoulder to one who has the independence
to assert and carry out his own honest sen.
timents. You, with your wealth and posi-
ton, are an exception bot should 6nd
it quite q different thing. And yet I'm re-
solved to follow your example; and when.
ever temptation is strong upon me, will
look upon Lta, in her dark drab dress, and
call to mind the sacrifice she has made /;
MT so much from fear that her brother
might fall prey to the wine-cup, but lest
others who have not SO much selfcontrol
might take encouragement from your exam
ple" -
After sew moments spent in discussing
this subject the two friends parted and
when Fred related their conversation to
Lta, after expressing her satisfaction she
stole away to her chamber, as was her wont,
to give full vent to the gratitude of her
heart, and an earnest petition ascended TO
Heaven that Charlie Chester might have
strength impaired to remain true to bis
vow.
"Well, Lita, so this rich, talented, hand
some European, who sued SO earnestly for
this little white hand has shared the same
fate with your many snitors, Your are an
enigma, sis, and Pm afraid if do not ex-
ert my authority you'll never be married"
am sure l shall not, Fred, unless my
heart goes with my hand )" and Lita smiled
quiet smile as she looked up from her
sewing. "Now don't leave me with that
sober face, for assure you l am very hap
py as l am"
" doubt it, sis, was the laughing re-
joinder, as Fred closed the door and went
out through the long hall, humming snatch
of sentimental song.
Two years had flown by and still Charlie
Chester kept his VOW inviolate. Lits had
watched him narrowly, and every day in
her heart she thanked God that this was
so and yet to have seen them, no one
would ever have imagined that they had
the slightest interest in common.
Lita sat alone in the back parlor of her
home, thinking of the past, of the happy
hours she had spent with Charlie Chester
when she was q mere child, wondering why
he avoided her so studiously of late, when
she was aroused by low tap at the door,
aud before her stood the object of her
| thoughts. w ltu SOtOA huu
embarrassed air she welcomed him, wonder
ing at his unceremonious call A few mo.
ments of silence followed his entrance, aud
then Charlie Chester drew his seat near her
and said :
Lita-Lita, my early playmate, my
boyhood's love, now that know, and can
trust myself, will you trust your life, your
happiness, to my keepingl VIII you be
nay wfel owe to you all that have,
ali that am. 1t was through your inau.
ence abandoned the wine-cup in time to
save me from an inebriate's grave. o, Lita,
what do not owe you. And yet this very
fact encourages me to ask for more. Say
will you trust me, and become my wife p
The small hand he held nesting more
con6dingly in his, the brown eyes uplifteC
to his face with so much of truthful love ia
them, answered him and sitting there she
told him all the long years his image hac
been hidden in her heart--ot her fears fol
his safety when she saw him with the wint
cup pressed to his lips, aud Of her resolve
to save him, and the consequent adoption
of the dra6 dress
"And it was for my sake and mine
alone, that led you to this sacrifice And
yet you did not know half my danger. 4