The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-01-07

oIaek eyes looked laushingly down into
hers.
Edgar"
my first call-uuceremonious aal
unannounccd. Minnie, you are like
rose bod this morning. Miss Ford
Miss Evelyn--the compliments of the
season p
Edgar Ashley, the aflianced lover of
Miss Archer was stalwart. handsome
young man, worthy of her shy beauty,
as no stood there with an arch, audacious
expression of cnunteuauco,
SIN going out presently, in state,
with Charlie Duchesne and Colonel
Clifford" he said, "but | thought
would slip over and surprise you all
first"
How do you like our refreshment.
table, Edgar 2" said Minnie, motioning
her head towards the main object be.
tween the back windows--a small dam
ask draped table, where glass, and sill.
yer, aud confectionery, aud hot house
flowers made dazzling glitter,
"ln excellent taste" he said, slowly
approaching and surveying the tout
ensemble with something of critics
eye, "By my faith, that coffee urn OF
frosted silve- sends forth most appe-
tizing odor; and those grapes might
have ripencd in the sunshine Of italian
vineyards But, cara mia, where on
earth are all your wines %
Minnie eolored a little.
al shall have no wine upon my table
Edgar"
rNo wine? Aud on New Year.
Dayl Isn't that something like tn,
play Of Hamlet, with the part of Hamlet
left out"
"That's what Uncle aud Aunt Archer
and everybody else said,' cried Evelyr
Ford, eagerly. "Ard it will look ST
odd and Minnie is so absurdly deter
mined upon it?'
Mr.. Ashley laid his hand on the bell
knob.
"Lct us ring aud order it now, Min,
nie. Your cousin is right-it will ap
pear very odd aud prudish."
"No ;"-Minnie's voice was low, but
very resolute,-"I have thought the
matter over, Edgar, aud l have delibcr.
ately made up my MUD l, for one, will
have nothing to do with Offering the
liquid poison to my guests, many OF
whom, although they may wish to alb
stain, will yet lack the moral courage
to do so"
"You are complimentary to the
strength of mind Of your guests, Min.
oie, said Mr.. Ashley, Struggling his
shoulders.
"Alauy of them will not even pause
to think Edgar Many are mere boys
who have not resolution to say No, when
a lady's hand holds out the cup Of
temptation. Should | be guiltless, to
lay stumbling blocks in their path ?"
"But everybody else will have wines
on their table /; what good will it dc
for you alone to be unlike the rest OF
the world 7"
Minnie shook her head smilingly.
"That is no argument at all, Edgar
1t is nothing to me what my neighbol
thinks, or does not think, on a question
of conscience like this. | am respou
sible to myself, aud for myself aloua."
minnie, | think you are absurdly
Quixotic. If your guests haven't CON.
mon sense enough to judge for them
selves"
"But, Edgar, they are not left tc
judge for themselves Wines, cordials
and other intoxicating liquors are abso
lutely forced on them by the mistakes
hospitality Of their hostesses until i
becomes almost an impossibility fol
them to decline without seeming rude
ness, aud the tiny champagne glass o
| sparkling foam becomes too often tht
first drop in that fiery tide of destruc
tion which one day eugults them, sou
aud body"
She spoke with enthusiastic earnest
ness. Edgar Ashley curled his III
rather scornfully.
"You would make capital temper
ance lecturer, Minnie. Nevertheless
| must say, think you are behavin,
very ridiculously, Csme--bc sensi
bic girl; put aside these fine draw
fancies and behave like other peopl,
do p aa
| Minnie was iuexorable, however, and
Edgar Ashley, though he strove to con
ceal the feeling, was little annoyed.