Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-05-10
NO. Ill.
Tales aud Sketehes.
"LEAD Us NOT INTO TEMPTATION,
BY FRANCES uENsHAw BADEN.

T..
What it was that had come between his
love and hers she could not think but she
felt perfectly sure he did love her. and so,
hoping that time would solve the mystery
and bring a balm to her wounded spirit.
she watched and waited for the coming.
New Years day came beautiful and
bright. Mabel and her friend Flory new.
er looked lovelier. Mabel had explained
her wishes. and fully infused her own spir-
it into her fair friend.
1t was impossible for an Indifferent per-
son not TO feel their powers Of fascination.
To Edgar Livingston, who was one of
their first guests, they were quite irresis-
tible. He fingered on. notwithstanding
the many efforts of young friend who
accompanied him, to draw him away.
"Do stay and help u.s." said Mabel, and
when Flory's beautiful eyes repeated the
wish Edgar yielded.
Few, if any, went from Clifton house
dissatisfied. Everything that heart could
desire or mind suggest In the way Of deli
cacies and luxuyies Of the season. Mabel
offered her guests. But as her. father had
said, many ton CUES were busy specializing
about il, and ina. few hours it was widely
known that Miss Clifton was hayisg a
Temperance reception" .,, 1f.;,, -
Eagerly Mabel's eyes sought the. door
on every new arrival of guests. She had
hoped tor 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 arm
chair, when the same greeting that had
fallen on her. ears so many times that day,
Happy New Year, Miss Clifton" caused
the light to return to her eye, the -beauti-
full flash to her face, as she rose TO receive
Ernest Addison
There was an expression in bis 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 reel
ing along the sidewalk, shouting and sing
ing q drinking song, came Edgar's COM
panion of the morning.
Floly turned from the sickening sight.
Edgar followed, saying:
But for you and Miss Clifton, might
have been one of that party"
And going up to Mabel, he said:
Miss Clifton, your slumber tonight
should be very 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 HAsa4
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. .fg -
\ few moments after his fine voice was
blending with hers in well chosen duet
Then Ernest told Mabel of the love
which had been hers since he first saw her.
II came one night to lay my heart be-
fore you. You had many guests and Of
fered them wine. You noticed that I
placed my glass untouched on the table.
left early. dared not WOO the heart OF
one who held such y fearful temptation be-
fore me why you will know when tell
you the terrible truth. My only brother
went down to drunkard's grave, the wo-
man he loved urged him on.
''For time mother and had won him
from his fatal passion. He was doing well.
We believed he would fulfil the bright
promise of early youth. He grew to love
n beautiful girl. She was wild andthough-
less; and one night, at party in her
fathers's house, urged him to drink.
"'One glass. Every one but you takes
wine,' she said. He 1
.He resisted She tainted him about
having to abstain entirely because he had
not the self control to use wine in mod
Grafton. He yielded, accepted the fatal
glass from her hand, and drank first mod
erately, then on and in the old fearful
way, until the end came--a ruined lite and
mothers broken heart
"Do you wonder that 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, fastened here to lay
my heart before the only woman had
ever loved. Willy be my wife, Mabel?n
Her heart was too full of fjoy-she could
not tell him in words how happy she was
but her little hand lay still in his. She
raised her eyes a 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. i
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
Certainty, papa
And when there was light enough ior
Mr. Clifton to look into his daughters
ewes, he saw brighter light shining there.
Another moment. when Flora came to
greet him. he said, with sly smile:
"Ah. see why you young folks knew
nothing of the surrounding darkness
guided by the light within. Wen. have
you had a pleasant day?" -"
"a happy day, father, there are no re-
grets to steal in and mar it, Mabel said,
with a bright smile.
81 am glad of it-glad of your resolve,
Mabel. How glad, You viii know when
| tell you that this-morning closed the
eyes of father whose son was away in
sOme drinking salaau Ha~, 49,. -. :.