The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-07-22
person not to feel their powers of fasoina.


person not to feel their powers of fascina-
tion. M aa ioog 1ao aaf nH
To Edgar Livingston, who was one Of
their first guests, they were quito irresisti-
BILE. He fingered on, notwithstanding the
many efforts of young friend, who accom-
panied him to draw him away. 'il
"Do stay and help us" said Mabel, and
when Flory's beautiful eyes repeated the
wish Edgar yielded. i'h oh'9a.t
Few, if any, went from Clifton house
dissatisfied. Everything that heart could
desire or mind suggest, in the way Of
delicacies and luxuries of the season, Ma.
bel offered her guests. But, as her father
had said, many tongues were busy spec
ulating about it, and in few hours it was
widely known that Miss Clifton was giving
temperance reception.
Eagerly Mabel's eyes sought the door
on every new 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 wearily in an
armchair when the same greeting that
had fallen on her ears so many times that
day, "Happy New Year, Miss Clifton"
caused the bright light to return to her
eyes, the beautiful flush to her face, as she
rose to receive Ernest Addison. t,
There was an expression in his fine eyes,
when he received from her the fragrant
cup of coffee, that relieved the suspense
of years. Her heart was bounding with
new hope. "saI
Edgar Livingston had drawn Flory TO
the window. They were looking out on the
passers by. oi ns 10 n'' aH
Keeling along the sidewalk, shouting
and singing drunken song came Ed
gar's companion of the morning Flory
turned from the sickening sight. Edgar
followed saying: dir hia H9
"But for you and Miss Clifton I might
have been one of that party" And going
TO Mabel, he said: % l 90 1l
"Miss Clifton, your slumber to night
should be peaceful. You have not helped
to cloud either brain or heart of any of
your friends to day. Accept my warmest
thanks for having saved me from feeling
both" ai.t
Edgar saw an expression in Ernest's eyes
that made him think it would be quite as
agreeable to all parties if he would take
Flory back to the recess Of the window, to
the piano, or anywhere out of hearing, just
then. ofn
A few moments after his fine voice was
blending with hers in a well chosen duet
Then Ernest told Mabel of the love
which had been hers since he knew her.
81 came one night to lay my heart be-
fore you. You had many guests and offer
ed them wine. You noticed not that
placed my glass untouched on the table.
left early. dared not WOO the heart Of
one who held such fearful temptation be-
fore me why, yeu will know, when l tell
you the terrible truth. Ny only brother
went down to drunkard's grave, the wo-
man he loved urging him on.
"For time mother and won him from
his fatal passion. He was doing we'll. We
believed he would fulfill the bright
promise Of his early youth. He grew to
love beautiful girl. She was wild and
thoughtless, 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 taunted him about
having to abstain entirely because he had
not the seff-control TO use wine in modera-
tion.
"He yielded, accepted the fatal glass
from her hand, and drank, first moderate
ly, then on and ON, in the old fearful way
until the end came-a ruined life, and a
mothers broken heart.
Do you wonder that fed from you
Every hour since yearning to return, yet
daring not. lf
To-day heard what you were doing.
Earnestly thanking God that light had
dawned upon you, hastened here to lay
my heart before the only woman l had
ever loved. Will you be my wife, Ma
bel P''" fH
Her heart was too full Of joy-she could
not tell him in words how happy she was
but her little hands lay still in his.
She raised her eyes a moment, and he
saw the love Of years beaming there. He
needed no answer. wv
Judging from the low tones into which
the voices in tho other room bad fallen,
think some other hearts must have found
their mates. But the pairs were separated