The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-05-26
ADvERTIsING RATES.
THE TWO ANSWERS.
[coNcLunEn.l

ale was of social disposition, and In
time IL came to pass that he was often
grossly intoxicated. OF course, under
such circumstances, one of two things must
happcn-the man must reform, or he must
sink. MIR. Granville did not reform. and
ere many years he died drunkard's death,
leaving his family in poverty and suffer
! ing.
Thomas, the son. four years older than
Mary, became dissipated, and at the age of
eighteen was killed In street fight, In New
York. Mrs. Granville survived herson but
few nonths--absolutely dying, the doctor
said, of o broken heart.
"Poor Mary, thus left mtlierless and
motherless, without brother or sister, nc the
age of fifteen, was forced to earn the bread
which she ate and nobly has she done it.
| If you know her Charlie, you know one of
the noblest women that ever lived. But
what's the matter9 Why bless me, you
look as pale as a ghost"
i struggled with myself and told Jack
that had swallowed lot of cigar smoke.
rose and opening one of the easements,
stepped out on the balcony, where the fresh
air restored me.
At a late hour Jack departed for the hotel,
and when had retired to my chamber
paced TO and fro until long after midnight.
i could no longer misunderstood the motive
which had actuated Mary In rejecting my
Il
using wine, and on that evening when last
we met she must have discovered that |
had drank enough to bring a pale flush TO
my checks.
"Oh, my GodP l calculated, as [ sank
into chair, 81 wonder not that she refused
to place her future life In my keeping. She
has suffered enough from the acciIrseIi Gun.
The night of sorrow and desolation has
been long enough upon her. She would be
worse than mad TO take a husband whose
opening path oflife led towards the pit into
which the loved ones of other days had
fallen. .....,fs......I
But" | asked myself '"why did she not
tell the whole truth?" .rttt'
found no difficulty in answering the
question: | knew how sensitive she was,
and knew she was afraid of offending me.
Perhaps she though me headstrong enough
to resent such liberty on her part and per-
haps she imagined | might look upon her
explanation as tile offering of her hand in
consideration of my renouncing the wine
cup, and that | might spurn her offer.
On Friday Jack Stanton left me, and on
saturday evening / called at Mary's board
ing honse. Mary herself answered my sum
mons, she started when she saw me, and
| saw her right hand move quickly toward
her heart. MARY said /. speaking calmly,
for lhad mighty strength of win to sup
port Inc, II have not come to distress you;
l have come as q friend, and humbly ask
that you will give me an audience for
few moments' H, I..r.F..... .
She went into the parlor. and followed
her, closing the door behind me and when
we were alone she set the lamp upon the
table and motioned me to q seat
No" said |, Il will not sit down yet.
Give me your hand, Mary"
Mechanically she put forth her hands, and
took them in my own. There was won
dering look in her eyes, and slight flush
had come to her pale checks.
MARY" continued, speaking slowly and
softly, and knew that moisture was gath
cring in my eyes, "You must answer one
question. Answer IL as you please, and take
my solemn assurance that i ask it only for
your own good. Tell me, do you love meg
No, no-do not take your hands away yet.
Answer me, If you can. Fear-O fear not;
for had rather go in endless night than do
you wrong. Tell me, Mary, do you love
me ?"
u can notspeak falsely" she tremblingly
whispered. "For my own peace, perhaps
| love you too we'll"
Listen 10 me one moment" | added,
drawing her nearer 10 me; ''when l have
told You what have to tell you shall be
the Judge"
She did not strive to free her bands, but
looked up eagerly in my face, and her eyes
beamed with hopeful light.
You know Jack Stanton" ! said.
Yes she replied:
"llc was my best friend when we were at
college; and our friendship has not grown
ess; lie came to see me and told me the
-rials ana sunerings of one of the school
mates OF his earlier days. Oh, Mary, |
snow wei why my hahd was refused, and
blame you not. 1T may be that our paths
will be different through life, but you shall
Vt least know that he whom you loved will
20 live that he shall not be unworthy of
your kindest remembrance. know that
laVe hitherto wandered into the path OF
LANCER, but heneetorth am free from the
iread snare Under the new light that has
iawned upon me, hold the wine cupto be-
fearful enemy. lwill shun II as would
! shameful llie ana a clouded death bed.
cor my own sake VIII do this, so that my
ainted mother II she can look upon her
10Y, may smile approvingly upon the course
he has chosen.
"And now, Mary, II at some future time
'ou should feel that you can trust your hap
'iness In my keeping, you viii give me
ONE token thereon, and will come and ask
'ou again for your hand; aud should IL be
ny blessed lot TO receive IL l will devote