Ellsworth American., 1867-02-15

!
heart growing lighter with each step tia
brought him nearer home and quiet fire
side. for the weather was intensely cold
: In the midst of her reflections she wa
startled by the sound approaching wheel
and moment later carriage drew u
: to the door and halted. A gentleman an.
two ladies alighted, and. running up thu
steps, rang the bell. Size heard then
speaking III merry tones to Mrs. wayland
who presently entered her room.
You are wanted, Mildred was he- cx.
clamation.,
Wanted! and for what,' said Mildred
Don't be irightcncd,' returned Mrs
Wayland, with aslnile. Emily and Grace
Martin are come for you to 60 home with
them. You know they give a, party to-
night. Emily wants you to take part in a
duet with her her friend whom she was
expecting is necessarily absent
But am not prepared said Mildred
Oh fie!' exclaimed Mrs. Wayland, when
were you not prepared for music! Come,
hasten will tell them that you can go.
1t required but a few moments for Mil
drcd to make her toilet simple white
dress and no ornaments, and yet how ra-
diently beautiful she was!
Ready so soon. was the remark which
greeted her as she entered the drawing
room. and Mrs, Wayland stepped back III
surprise at her extreme lovelincss. She
had seldom seen her attircd for party,
for Mildrel rarely ever wentinto company.
knowing that although she was invited. it
was solely on account of Mrs. Wavland
1t required Int Il few moments for them
to reach the place of destination, and Mil
dred was ushered into the parlor The
whole company had adjourned to the sup
per-roonl. and tllithcr they sOou followed
them. The apartment being, crowded.
they were obliged to stand near the door.
behind which lady and gentleman were
seated, evidently in an earnest conversa
tion. Mildred attempted to move away.
but Charles voice, low but excited, rivet-
ed her attention.
'You need not ask me. he said; : can
not will not indulge
remember, said the same sweet
voice. which once before had caused him
to waver, what a task had on Il former
occasion. Tie remembrance of MY sue
cess then gives me hope for the present.
"Iou need not make another nttempt;'
was the quick, stern reply, and presently
III ttut"' III u sDiiNI NoiCt. NDIflt lct SO
where it is not so crowded and will give
You the reason for my abstinence.
They passed out directly in front of Mil
drcd. Charles recognized her, and bent
upon hera look full OF surprise and unut
tcrable love. She remembered the disap-
pointmcnt which awaited her former trial,
and for Il moment her heart was clouded,
but the SHADOW swept by, and the sunlit OF
of confidence, renewed again, bcamcd full
upon her.
door r Il va re catt sGG s sress ",tt}&7
he and his fair companion were seated in
the drawing room. There she is now
he added, casting his eyes towards Mildred.
who was then "ntcrin,.
'Which| said his companion. The one
with such a lovely complexion, blue eyes
AMI brown hairl'
Yes, he replied; though rarely think
of her external appearance her mind and
heart so completely cnslavc me. Miss
Hayes she is my betrothed, and you may
imagine how dear she is to me. She is
poor--a gOvcrncss in my sisters family
and vet she refuses to become nv wife
until have conquered my desire for iutoX-
icating drinks. | had determined to test
my strength before giving my pledge to
that effect. and for this purpose haze re.
sisted every kind of temptation. In one
effort have failed; in this. with Gods
| help | have been successful
Aud | was the cause of your former
fmlurc she exclaimed, her dark eyes fill
ins with tears. The lady dcspiscs me
does sh" not!'
.Shc knows nothing Of il, was the reply;
| .n,,I f.,r n,,-o.lr I .,,or..l,-
1t has but proved that, while she is just,
che is truly generous; and that'wherc
have deserved scorn and contempt, have
received love aid forgiveness. Let me
mako you acquainted with her, for am
sure you will love her.
Affection is oftcntime a falsc prophet.
but Charles spoke the words of truth when
he said that Miss IIaye, would love his
afiianced bride, for the admiration she first
experienced soon dccpcncd into the trueth,
most lasting friendship.
Two months late. brilliant party were
assembled to witness the marriage OF
Charles Hales with Mildred Ashton. Had
the wishes of either been regarded 1T
would have been one Of privacy; but Mrs
Wayland could not forbcar publicly receiv-
ing her brothers wife into her family.
No, no, said she,in answer to their ell
treaties, do not ask me to torego my pre-
sent plan. Ii but few were invited the
fashionable world might insnuate that |
was not pleased with the alliance; when,
indeed,I would lave every one know that
you are my choice as well as Charles's.
So Mrs. Wayland gained her point.
/ And manGuvring mammas and aspiring
daughters smiled and congratulated the
lovely bride; and smiling. cnvied her the
| fortune she had won aItl the diamonds
which glittered upon her arms, neck and
brow. But ali. she possessed one gem,
more priceless to l'cr than all Golconla
could have furnished which, sunsecn By
the world, threw its dazzling radiance
across her pathway. And that gem the
pledge Of total abstiucifce rem all intoXi-
catiug beverages, which Charles had pre-
scnted her previous to her marriage. Hap
piness aud honor attended their steps, and
Mildred has never had cause to regret her
resolve; for her husband has gained fer
himself name and place in the hearts
of all who know him, and ever attributes
his success to the woman of his chece.
WEt!DINps.-On year from marriage
makes paper wedding; five years makes
wooden wedding; ten years tin we'd
ding; fifteen Years crystal wedding :;
twpnty Years n lnpn Va11inr. twenty.