Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-08-03

! CeV@Tai weeks wore away, yet Llta was
never seen in public with anything but
| sonbre drab
1T is ridiculous in child of her years,
said lady, as Lita entered large dry
| g DDS establishment; perfectly ridiculous.
L suppose she thinks it will pass for eecen-
tricity. But it is not; it is downright folly
If she was my girl, Id shut her up in the
house, and feed her Cn bread and water,
before I'd see her make such a simpletou
OF herself. Only see that drab bonnet,
with It's white rush aud strings, and the
cape, quite suitable for her grandmother
i heard her called one of the very finest
dressed ladies on the street. to day, by
gentleman from Europe replied the clerk;
'and he expressed desire to obtain an in.
reduction to her
'Ah, indeed, said she, tossing her head
Show me some more lilac mories'
Frederick Ross said Charlie Chester,
drawing Fred's arm within his own, as they
left the crowd who thronged Mrs Gran
v.lle's musical assemblies, will YOU walk
with me! I've something to say to you-a
few questions to ask, il you will not deem
1t lmpertlnent in me to do So
Frederick readily acceded to his request;
and no sooner were they alone than Char
lie Chester said
Perhaps you will think it strange, but
am anxious to know why you sc suddenly
left off your habit of taking fashionable
glass. 1t alarmed me. | said, whenever
L saw you turn from ME, is it possible he
fears to trust himself, or what has wrought
this change in him"
Yes, Charlie, | will tell you,' was the
ready reply.
And then he proceeded to tell him the
circumstances that led to this change in
his habits, omitting to relate that his pane
was particularly mentioned as the one over
whom Lita especially feared the influence
OF her br1ther's example
Your sister is an angel Of goodness,
Fred; you may we'll be proud Of and wor-
ship her, If more ladies would take the
stand she has done, young men would have
higher lnducem ents 20 break from fashion
ab'e tOliies; but, instead Of that, they
smile upon a custom which dear, delight
e. Mrs. Grundy' sanctions, aud give tho
cold shoulder to one who has the indepen-
dence to assert and carry out his own honest
intentions. You. with v0lr wealth, are an
exception. And yet I'm resolved to fol-
low your example; and, whenever tempta
tlon Is strong upon me, | will look upon
Lita in her dark drab dress, and call to
mind the sacrifice she has made; not SO
much from fear that her brother might
fall prey to the wine cup, but lest others,
who have not so much seIf-control, might
take encouragement from your example,
After few minutes spent in discussing
the subject, the two friends parted; and
when Fred related the circumstance to
Lita, after expressing her satisfaction, she
stole away to her chamber, as was her wont,
to give 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 his VOW.
We'll, Lita, so this rich, talented, and
handsome European, who sued so earnestly
for this little white hand, has shared the
same fate with your many suitors You
are an enigma, Sis, and | sm afraid if do
not exert my authority you will never
marry.
4 am sure | shall not, Fred, unless nv
heart goes with my hand, and Lita smiled
quiet smile as she looked up from her
sewing Now, don't you leave me with
such sober face, for | assure you that IN
happy as | am
i doubt it, SIS was the laughing rejoin-
der, as Fred closed the door and went
through the hall aumming a snatch cf a
sentimental song.
Two years had flown by, and still Charlie
Chester kept his VOW nviul4te. Lita had
watched him narrowly, and every day in
her heart she thanked Col that it was So;
and yet to have seen them nosone would
have imagined that they had even the
slightest feeling in common.
Llta 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 a mere child; wondering why
be avoided her so studinusly of late, when
she was reused by tap at the door, and
before her stood the object of her thoughts
With heightened colored and an embarras-
sed air she welcomed him, wondering at
his unceremonious call. A few moments
Of silence followed his entrance, and then
Charlie Chester drew his seat ear her and
said:
'Lita, Lita, my early playmate, by boy
hoods love, now that | know and can trust
myself, will you entrust your life, your
happiness, to my keeping? owe to you
all that [ have, all that | am. 1t was
through your influence that abandoned
the wine cup just in time to save me from
an inebriates grave. D, Lita, what do [
not owe you? And yet this very fact en-
courages me to ask for more. Say, will you
become my wife?