The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-31
standing the many efforts of young
friend who accompanied him to draw him

dissatisfied. Everything that heart could
desire or mind suggest in the way of deli
cacies and luxuries of the season, Mabel
offered her guests. But, as her father had
said, many tongues were busy specializing
about it, and in few hours it was widely
known that Miss Clifton was having a
Temperance reception"
Eagerly Mabel's eyes sought the door on
every arrival of guests. She had hoped for
the coming of one. But the hours passed,
and when it grew late in the day, the hope
faded and almost died out. She had seated
herself IN an armchair, when the same greet
ing that had fallen on her ears, so many
times that day, "Happy New Year, Miss
Clifton" caused the bright light to return
to her eye, the beautiful flush to her face,
as she rose to receive Ernest Addison.
There was an expression in his eyes,
\ when he received from her the fragrant
cup of hot coffee, that relieved the sus-
pense of years. Her heart was bounding
with new hope.
Edgar Livingston had drawn Flory to the
| window. They were looking out on the
passers-by. A few moments, and reeling
along the sidewalk, shouting and singing a
drinking song, came Edgar's companion of
the morning.
Flory turned from the sickenjng sight.
Edgar followed, saying:
'5But for you and Miss Clifton, might
have been one of that party"
a And going up to Nfable, he said:
miss Clifton, your slumbers tonight
should be very peaceful. You have not
helped to cloud either the brain or heart of
any of your friends to-day. Accept my
warmest thanks for having saved me from
feeling both"
Edgar saw an expression in Earnest's
eyes that made him think it would be quite
as agreeable to all parties if he would take
tlory back to the recess of the window, to
the piano, or anywhere out Of hearing, just
then.
A few moments after his fine voice was
blending with hers in well-chosen duet.
Then Ernest told Mable of the love
which had been hers since first he knew
her:
II came one night to lay my heart before
you. You had many guests and offered
them wine. You noticed not that l placed
my glass untouched on the table. | left |
early. dared not woo the heart of one
who held such a fearful temptation before
me; why you will know when I tell you
the terrible truth. My only brother went |
down to drunkard's grave, the woman
he loved urging him on.
"For time mother and | had won him
from his fatal passion. He was doing well. |
We believed he would fulfill the bright |
promise of an early youth. He grew to
love beautiful girl. She was wild and
tthoughtess and one night, at party in
her fathers house, she urged him to drink.
"'One glass. Every one but you takes
wine,' she said.
He resisted. She tainted him about
having to abstain entirely because he had
not the self-control to use wine in modera-
ton. He yielded, accepted the fatal glass
from her hand, and drank first moderately,
then on and on in the old fearful way, un-
til the end came--a ruined life and moth
er's broken heart.
"Do you wonder that I fled from you ?
Every hour since yearning to return, yet
daring not" A..
'To-day heard what you were doing.
Earnestly thanking God that light had
dawned upon you, l FASTENED here to lay
my heart before the only woman I have
ever loved. Will you be my wife, Ma
bel ?"
Her heart was too full ofjoy-she could
not tell him in words how happy she was
but her little hand lay still in his. She
raised her eyes moment, and he saw the
love of years beaming there. He needed
no other answer.
Judging from the low tone into which
the voices in the other room had fallen,
think some other hearts had found their
mates. But the pairs were separated, or
rather joined again, by the return Of Mr..
Clifton, who entered, calling out:
mabel, my dear, to me these rooms
look rather dark. Let's have the gas
turned on, if you please"
Certainly, papa"
And when there was light enough for
Mr.. Clifton to look into his daughters
eyes, he sawa brighter light shining there.
Another moment, when Flory came to
greet him, he said, with a sly smile:
"Ah, see why you young folks knew
nothing of the surrounding darkness
guided by the light within. Well, have
you had pleasant day?'
"a happy day, father; there are no
regrets to steal in and mar it," Mabel said,
with bright smile. .si
II am glad of it-glad of your resolve,
Mabel. How glad you will know when |
tell you that this morning / closed the
eyes of father whose only son was away
In some drinking saloon. How my heart
ached for that dying father! And what a
balm it was, to think at that time my
daughter was not holding the fatal glass to
any young man, said Mr.. Clifton, his
voice trembling with emotion.
Before another New Years day Mary
and Flory each presided over an establish
ment Of their own. The happy remem-
brance of their reception is never clouded
by the thought that they have added one !
drop to the cup of bitterness which so many
wives, mothers and sisters have to drink
that cup of sorrow which is so often pre-
pared for the hY sister women.