The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1868-11-27
Selert Sturp.
A STORY.


bit of peace maker, but, loveing those
two people SO dearly, it was but natural that
should wish to have them near me. This
was a pleasure seldom enjoyed, for Jessie
was teaching ia one of the city schools, and
it was only for the brief vacations that
could claim her. -Sabnf too, was book-keep-
er in large mercantilehouse, and his visits
to 'The Ferns, as I called my home, were
rare By dint of much strategy, | had sue
ceeded in securing them both for the Christ
mas holidays I; and in order that they might
not be lonely neited a host of nephews
and neces TO meet them.
| For Christmas Eve, we had dancing
games, tableaux, and. to crown all, an i'm
mense tree, laden with gifts for all present.
1t did my old heart good to hear the joyous
laughter ringing through the quiet hall, and
to watch the fair forms and bright faces that
brought before me SO wildly the scenes of
my youth but most of all, l loved to look
at Jessie, and for the first time I began to
speculate little upon the PROBABILITY of my
having some day, better right to her love
than l then possessed, if she and John would
only love each other.
The idea once lodged IN my brain it was
| impossible for me to think of anything else,
and turned TO look for them, hoping to see
|
ardcntly dt sired.
found them sitting IN an acove, jessie
as usual, surrounded with friends for she
was general favoritc. | do not know what
they had been talking about, but, just MS l
joined them, heard her say distinctly
''There is no vice for which have such an
utter abhorrrncc as that Of drunkenness, aud
| am convinced | should lose every particle
of respect for a man, hlving once seen him
Intoxicated.
But surely, Urged one. ''no gentleman
would venture into ilte society OF ladies, if
in such a condition"
"Nevcrtheless, answered Jessie, 81 have
seen gentlemen at partie', who, if not ac'u-
ally intoxicated, were at least, SO far under
the influence of liquor, as to be unconscious
of their words and deeds"
"And whose hands offered the wine, Miss
Graham ?"
81 understand you" was the low reply :;
''but admit the dainty fingers offered the
cup, and bright eyes challenge you to quaff
its contents. dc you wish me to believe that
a man has rot Sufficient firmness TO resist the
temptation? What become OF your boasted
decision of character, and the strength of pur-
pose upon which you pride yourselves No,
no, Mr.. Lawrence be honest enough to
confess that the fault lies in your own weak
ness"
John had been leaning over the back OF
her chair, and lSt then | chanccd to look up
at lin. The crimson torrent rushed TO his
face, then as suddenly receded leaving
graysh palIor about his mou while the
hand that rested on the chair actually trem-
blcd.
was too frightened to speak. Suddenly,
there flashed across my mind a recollection
oS some vague rumorS / had heard concern
ing Johns incorporate habits. | had never
heed them, believing them to be utterly false.
But now What hut Il consciousness Of guilt
and shame could have caused that varying Of
color? grew sick at heart, and silently
leaving the group, | hurried up to my own
room, that might be alone to think. Alas
all the JOY of that bright Christmas time
had vanished, leaving in its stead, great
sorrow that must he borne alone in silence.
| watched john closely after this, and al
though wine was repeatedly offered to him,
he invariably refused it; SO | concluded that
after all, | had been mistaken, and caus-
I'd myself great deal Of unnecessary suli-
cring.
At the close of the holidays, my guests re-
turned to their homes but on the last
morning, John came, looking proud and
happy, to tell nae that, before another
Christians, he and Jessie were to be married.
Jessie, too, cane into the library while we
were there. and we passed the. entire morn
ing in forming bright plans for the future.
Jessie was to 90 back to school until the
summer vacation, when she would return to
The Ferns and would remain with me until
her marriage, which was to take place IN Oc-
tobcr.
bade them goodbye with light heart,
the parting robbed of its bitterness by the
hope of speedy reunion. Meantime, |
was aot idle. My fortune was large, and my
wants few. Instead Of leaving my property
to be disposed of after my death, chose to
be own executor, and enjoy the greatest lux
ury which wealth can afford-the blessed
ness of giving.
AS it was necessary for John to live in the
city, | decided to give Jessie as a bridal
present, a house on Fourteenth street, which
had lately come into my possession. l went
down to New Y ork sometime in July, to see
my agent about having the house put in per-
feet order and handsomely furnished but
my first call was upon Jessie, whom found
looking thin, and paler, fancied, than at
Christmas.
Iremained until her school closed, and
then took her home with me. On the last
day of my visit we went through the house
to see if Jessie could suggest any improve
ment in the arrangements but she seemed
perfectly delighted aud was more like her
cheerful, happy self, than l had seen her be-
fore. She peeped into the china closet, say
ing, with laugh that if she "had a weak,
ness, it was for handsome table-ser-
vice."
Pronounce judgment upon these, then, D
l answered, as held before her set OF de-
canters and wine-glasSes. | displayed them
with pardonabie vanity, for the design was
rare, and the workmanship exquiste;. and
remembering my darlings dainty taste, !
had been at great pains to secure them. l
was not q little disappointed, therefore,
to hear her say, quietly that ''they were
very beautiful but she should never use
| them.
"Why not p l asked her somewhat sur
prised.
Because, Aunty, l long ago determin'
ed that there should never be glass oi
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