Ellsworth American., 1867-02-15


seen her in tears, and it affected him pain
fully. He went toward, and threw himscl
upon his kncess before her.
'Mildredn he exclaimed Mildred
Heaven torbib that you should shed {
tear for me | know and acknowledge my
unwortliness. and yet cannot give You
up. have never broke my word have
never made n VOW which has not been full
filled but this-oh Mildred, am so weak
My heart is strong to undertake anything
to which you may point, but can sue
cced' dare not give my pledge, but ]
will struggle to do as you wish. IF ! an
capable | will claim you if not l will re.
sign YOU.
The faltering voice, the quivering lip.
and the moistencd eyes, were however
strangely at variance with the firm detcrm
nation expressed in the words.
Then, Charles, know that shall al
some time be your wife" she mnrnurcd
the fidelity of the heart from which it EN-.
anatcd, and Charles pressed his lips to her
brow.
'Mlred.' said he you could have given
me no greater proof of your affection than
the ut'erance of those few simple words
Heaven only knows with what miserlv
care shall guard them; and if ever am
tempted, | will listen to them, and they
will still the voice of the temptor. Mildred.
he added after Il few moments, Il no long
er urge nor would have YOU become my
wife until my strength is tested But. oh
if that time had only passed, and might
nI ny ~ ! \ ctr nat
that |. a man. and Your atlianced husband
slould live III idlencss. without a thought
for the morrow; while you, Il woman, born
to be admired and adored, are dependent
upon your own eXcrtioas. you were in
any place but here, slioull feel miserable
on account of Your situation; but | know
ihat Agnes is Your friend, and that she
loves you. Am right
Indeed You are, returned Milrc1 Your
sister is all that an orphan like myself
could wish in a friend. She deserves and
receives my unhoGnded confidence, and her
advice Is the wiSest and best, told her
the course had resolved to adopt relative
to our marriage, and it received her APP
probation She has committed to me the
task OF reelaiming you, Charles and OH il
love and hope can accomplished anything,
you will be saved. Poverty and aiiliction
have no terrors for me, if you are by my
side wealth and honor no charm; if dcs-
titne OF Your pres nee. But. she added,
looking into his eyes with II calm, pcnetrat-
i'll. @aze, 1 wonid rathcroccupr IL servants
place anUthcr's household, than be the
mistress ota mansion whose master is de
voted to the wine-cup.'
.You are cntliusiastc.' lie exclaimed
with a smile.
Yes she replied the subject is one of
which demands the highest enthusiasm.
never thought of it as | have. What could
promise myself in future Years Could
| nope to have any influence then ifit fail
ed me new 1t has been promised that now
man shall be tempted beyond his strength
if he has faith in thc goodness of the Al
mighty, and the words of Scriptur have
many times been verified. Test them,
[ Charlcs land. test vour.clf. You love me, an
you cannot fail, i hink how | would act.
were You thus pleading with me-
Her hand now nestled contidingly in his.
Thcy no longer talked, but throughts un-
spcakahlc swept through their minds, and
it would nave seemed bitter mockery to
mar the hallowcd silence, change passed
slowly over Charles countencc. A firm
resolve was traced upon the brow, the black
eyes grew more intcnsery dark, aud lips
assumed n fi,nncs> never before observed.
l,u; oh the tones that issued from them
were gentle and assuring, uud he drew
nearer to the young girl
.Mlred, SAID he, If should not visit
You for a month, would you miss me ,
Miss. You was Loves involuntary ex-
claimation can YOU doubt it ?
Il do not doubt it, Mildred, he replied,
but shall test Your truth. | am about to
impose up, myself the sevcrest penalty
that could be inflicted. AS have told You
| intend trying to abstain from any intox-
icating beverages; for one month will place
myself in position to be assaied by every
temptation shall mix with II class OF So
cietv from which have always kept alnof
and the consequences shall be truthtuliy
revealed to you. If resist, | shall make
YOU the pledge Tor which yru have asked,
and shalt demand, in return, Il speedy.
marriage If fall, we shalt have one long
interview, and will resign you forever,
oh. Charles she exclaimed. % month
seems so long to wait for your smile; so
long to listen for Your voice.. Her eyes
were full of tears, and her lips quivered
i caunot understand why yon will not Wis
it me III the meantime. she continued.
.Expain and shall be satisfied
because intend to minglc in those
scenes with which it would be IL sin to con-
meet even thought OF you and must for
ret YOU for awhile, if possible he replied
you will be contcntcd to wait, will You
not ?
.Yes,' was the low response; i am not
only contcntcd, but happy, to watt for you
will succeed
Half an hour later, Charles rose to take
his departure. He was standing before
the fire, holding both Mildred's hands III
his own and she listened intenty to every
word as it fell from his lips.
In four weeks from tomorrow night,
said he. Il shall come back. DO not eX-
pcct me until then. for am determined to
make this test, What IL sad interview this
has been, Mildrcdl' he added, as he gazed
more steadily into her sorrowtul eyes.
And the next she exclaimed with an
sh,.dder. How much more
painful than this may it be
She burst into tears he kissed her pallid
check, and whispering In four weeks
from tomorrow night, he separtcd,
CHArrsR H.
Night after night found Charles IIales
wandering restlessly from one scene Of re-
yelry TO another, but like marble statue
in n company of grim and horrible skcle-