North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-02-24
Stol:I,rl:'plj,,,
THE DkAB ESS.

seeching expression, from boquet of choice
flowers, which she held in her small, Jewellsd
hand.
GA favor to ask of me, Sis?" was the
young mans reply. Zone would think,
| from your troubled countenance, it was the
first one you had ever preferred, and you
were to try an experiment"
DWELL it is a sort of experiment, Fred .
and before you give me an answer want
you to thiak, and not say Oh, yes, yes, as
you always do, and then not give it another
single thought"
"Well here goes them" replied the gay,
handsome young man, dragginr an ottoman
to his sisters feet, and seating himself upon
it with well assumed gravity. "Youl hum
bic servant. And now proceed mademoi
Sc lle."
The young girls face assumed throughly
earnest expression as she clasped one of her
brothers. hands in both of her own, and said,
while the rich color burned up into her
cheeks:
Fred, it is this-that you will drink no
more wine. tremble whenever l see you
with the glass to your lips"
Well, now Litta. child, can you not trust
me, knowing my entire self comm and-that
have no natural tendency that way-and that
| only occasionally take social glass when
in the society of my frends?" .t
II know it, Fred-I know all that but
influence is what fear. There is Charlie
Chester thinks you perfect pattern of good
ness, aud as he touched glasses with you at
Mrs. Reardon's, and you stood up and drank
together, my heart ached-not so much for
you as for him-knowing that be has not the
self command that you have, and that be
loves to look upon the wine when it spark
les in the cup"
Well, we'll, Lita, perhaps you are right
/. never looked at it IN that light before. 4"
said Fred, while bis countenapce wore
thoughtful expression, .
But who in the name of common sense"-
and now the young man SMILED" would
have expected that my little fashionable but
terfy sister ever found time for such
thoughts as these, what with her ribbons,
and laces2 Seriously, Lita, did not give you
| credit for being so much of q woman"
Thank you for the compliment, Fred
| But now promise me ; shall not be happy
until you do. have no fears for your per-
| Sopal af.fIy in this thon0h 7 4.
your moral right to indulge in social glass
merely because Mrs. Grundy smiles upon the
custom but fear for Charlie Chester, seeing
with what relish he drains his glass to the
dregs. Promise the, Fred-come now, you
will do this if you love me-"
| And Lita Ross laid her hand beseechingly
on her brothers. head. @.'f.'
Well Llta this is some thing of a sacrifice
to ask Of me. Why, l should make myself
very conspicuous by refusing social glass
But don't know but I'll do it if you'll make
corresponding sacrifice. do not care about
being inundated npon the altar alone"
Name it, Fred and if it's in my power,
| I'll do it gladly"
And her soft eyes fairly danced with de-
light. ........
Well, then, Sis, I'll do this thing if you
will do what am about to ask you, de.
clare, have scarcely the heart to, you look
so pretty in that blue eik dress with its lace
trimmiDgs-and your ear rings, pin and
bracelet of those tiny pearls but you must
give them up if | comply with your request"
81 will, Fred-1 will"
"And You will wear drab dress, with
out any ornaments ?"
| eyes, Fred" r..,. 10 -.PrE.
2" Next Thursday night make your first ap-
pearance at Mrs. Thurstons Remember
that you will be subject to great many re
marks, and will look very plain by the side
Of your fashionable showiy dressed compan-
| IONS"
promise. And now Fred, promise me in
return that you will then and there comply
with my request" ,...
Your hand, Sis. And now remember as
long as you will wear d'ab, and that without
ornaments, / will refuse fashionable glass
But you Go not know what sacrifice you
are making. should not be surprised were
you to retraet any day"
Well Fred, we shall see And now
kiss, seal of our contract"
And Lita threw her arms about her broth.
er's neck and covered his forehead, brow and
lips with shower of kisses-then gided
away through the hall, up the long oaken
stairway to her own chamber, where seating
herself, she bowed her head and calculated ::
Thank God Charlie Chester may yet be
saved"
And the tears rained down her fair face
and when she had again looked up, there was
a suodued, tender light in her eye, never
| there before. F" ...'..