Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-06-28

ness"
He sprang from the sofa to seek his
aunt, but Mrs. Preston. gently laying her
hand on his arm, detained him while she
said:
''Not quite so fast my dear. Stay with
me. Emily has gone to lie down. She
needs rest after last highs vigils. This
is sad anniversary to her"
"Vigils! Surely she was not up all
night on my account?" hastily said the
conscience smitten boy.
mo, Edward; not on your account does
she keep this anniversary with tears and
prayers; though l doubt not she has been
praying for you too. Have you never
heard that this should have been the an
niversary of Emily's wedding?"
"Aunt Emily's wedding! Why was
she not married? Did he die 2"
"Yes, my dear, he died by his own
hand. Poor Emily-her kind heart has
been sorely tried"
''Sit down again and will tell you, %
said his aunt. who had been arranging his
pillows, and had drawn an easy chair near
the sofa.
II hardly need to tell you that Emily
was beautiful, our darling and our pride,
when first Harvey Bolton met her. He
was classrhate of your father, and &C.
companied him home for the summer va
cation. Oh, how we'll I remember the
day. Edward was our only brother, and
Emily idolized him. His return, which
was an occasion of great JOY to all. seem
ed to fill her cup of happiness to overflow
ing. All day she was busy filling vases,
wreathing garlands and festoons, to de-
corate the house, humming his favorite
tunes: now and then bursting into full
gush of melody, as if her happy heart could
not keep silent edward will soon be
here! Edward will soon be herep she
kept repeating, until I replied, 80 will
Alfred Preston and cousin Tom. My
wreaths and flowers are for them Our
mother had always made the return of the
absent members of her family an occasion
of great rejoicing. The whole house was
decorated to do them honor II want
my children to feel that no one. or at no
place, are they SO welcome as at their
mothers heart and hearth"
This was the answer when questioned
So she spared no pains to make it the
brightest, bappiest place on earth to each
of US. No trihe was too great, that nj ght
add to our pleasure.
How beautiful our Emily looked in
her simple white dress, with a cluster of
hearts ease in her hair; they were Edward s
favorite flowers, and she always wore them,
when he was to be with her.
They had just approached father to
ask when the carriage should arrive, as
the door opened and Edward entered fol-
lowed by Harvey Bolton
Il cannot describe Harvey, but
thought him the handsomest man I had
ever seen, and so he was I can see him
now as he gratefully acknowledged mo-
theirs remark that she was pleased that
he had accompanied Edward home.
"Ob! that happy, happy summer! Har-
vey was the life of our circle. Not a pic
mic was planned, not an excursion propos-
ed but that he was on hand to assist and
add to our pleasure.
I'm those days it was customary to
keep wines and liquors on the side board
to be passed to all who called, and Har-
Vey had not been with US long before we
learned that his weak point was love for
strong drink. Could it be possible that
amid so many noble traits, one evil habit
could have power to blast the happiness of
life Alas it was too true.
Father had become much interested
in Harvey during the vacation, and he
talked long and earnestly with him on the
evil that would surely follow if he did not
shun the wine cup. He promised to try,
and when the Christmas holidays brought
him again in our midst we rejoiced in his
reform.
thine passed on; he graduated, and
studied law. A careful reader, clear and
earnest thinker, all who knew him proph-
esied brilliant career in his chosen pro-
fession.
HE and Emily had been engaged
year, and during that time he had never
yielded to temptation. We fondly be-
lieved there was no longer any danger.
But were soon awakened from our delu-
sion.
GA few days more and they were to
have been married We were busy ar
ranging the invitations. Edward and Har-
vey had gone to the city to attend ban
quet given in Harvey's honor. He had
just gained case which had been drag
ging its weary length through the courts,
while he was yet in College. It was
great success. The whole country was
rang with his praise. Oh, how proud
Emily was. She had given him her whole
heart and loved him as few men are ever
loved. | remember well her saying, "Oh,
Clara, this victory seems to me to come
as pledge of his victory over himself;
for if he had not conquered his taste for
strong drink this triumph had never been
achieved. Now, I can trust him fully,
unhesitatingly."
We spent the evening talking over
the future, and when I left her for the
night [ noticed how full of quiet happi-