The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-03-21

smile was on her lip, and her voice cheerful
as her won't She tried not to let him see
her agitation, hoping for an opening, to let
her into his heart.
While each was trying to hide from the
other his secret, the door bell rang. The pen
ny post brought letter for Charles. He
seized it, opened it, read it. Oh, my God
what can do?" burst from his agonized
soul.
Ellen took the letter and hastily read it.
She found it was from their young friend at
at the jewelers.. 1t ran thus
Dear Charles one of the handsomest OF our
watch chains is missing. 1t has not been seen
since you were looking at them yesterday.
Could one have dropped accidentally into
your pocket, or did you take one home tos
show your sister? II think you said it was
Tor her you were looking,) trusting to make
it all right with me to-day, hope this is so,
and ifthe chain does not appear my employ
er will send search warrant to your house.
In haste, Robert G.
Ellen drew the chain from her pocket, and
laid it on the table; the rafting sound attract
ed Charles, who raised his head, caught the
glitter of gold, seized it convulsively, and
then dropped on his knees he buried his head
in his arms and sobbed like child, murmur-
ing words like these
Thank the Heavenly Father, thou hast
sdNeu me " give lie SIrengLn 10 overcome
temptation in the future"
Ellen let this strong feeling have its way
for time then she drew close to him, placed
her hand on his head, and then laid that head
upon her true sisterly breast; and there she
held it till he, worn out by his emotion, drop
ped to sleep. She sat thus an hour, till feel
ing the Importance of time, she gently reused
him.
"Go up stairs now. Charles, and rest; will
take this chain TO Robert, see Mr.. Berrie, get
you excused from TO days duties, and this
shall be day OF feasting and Joy to us for o !!
the prodigal has returned to his Father, has
he not, dear Charles,'
Such look of glad relief, of perfect thank
fulness and trust, crossed his face, and then he
obeyed and went up stairs.
She carried the chain to Robert, and gave
tito him without word. She could not
frame lie-she left the explanation TO his
generous kindness.
That night, Charles told her the whole
how he had been led away-ate, drank and
gambled with his evil companions; how it
was continued warfare with him, but he was
led on step by step; at last he lost S25 at play.
He was dunned for it and threatened with
exposure to his master if he did not pay it.
He had only SO to pay it. As a last resource
he had asked Ellen for the money; and when
she had refused, and for so good reason, he
was desperate. As he rode into Boston he
thought of Robert, and then the idea came
into his mind, if he could get some piece of
jewelry and pawn it, he would soon get the
money to redeem it, and would then replace
it and probably the owners would not miss
it. But the agony of the first day of'Thef
Life when the CLEAN of the gold was ever
in his eye, and its feel in his hand, and thou
art the man. was sounding in the recesses of
his heart, and it was foretaste of hell which
he could not bear; and he had risen from his
sleepless bed with the firm resolve to take
the first step toward right,-and how much
he was aided in it by that watchful sis er's
love and ingenuity, none but those who have
been through the same temptation and sim
liar rescue can say.-Ssters, yours is a glori-
Gus work. Be noble yourselves, that you may
teach your young brothers to be noble. Be
unselflsh, that they may learn the sweetness
of the unselfsh life. Be ever watchful over
them. Teach them to respect through you,
every woman.