Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-01-21

An hour after, Mr., Clifton was on his way
to the side of his dying friend.
Mabel sat down aud wrote:
.tMY DEAR FLoRY: Come help me re-
ceiyc our friends Tomorrow. Papa has been
called away. must have you With me. as
am particularly anxious to have my reception
a success. ssLoyinoiy-"
.sMABE1."
Edgar likes Flory, can plainly see, and
| think she is not wholly Indifferent toward
him. Together think we eau manage to
hold him here tomorrow, and thus save his
mother great sorrow, most likely" said
Mabel.
Mabel Clifton was one of the lovliest girls
IN p. Friends wondered that her heart
had not yielded to some one of her many
suitors. They did not know she.had no heart
to yield to any of those who sought it.
The first season she,appeared iu the select
circle her fathers wealth aud position placed
her, she met Ernest Addison. He was
nobe looking man, talented, with mind and
heart alike filled with good, true resolres.-
10 Mabel he had heen very attentive, aud she
grew to love him, feeling sure tho time was
not far distant when lie would come to tell her
of his love- But months rolled by, aud he
spoke not Gradually his visits grew less fre
bnent, until they ceased What it was that
had come between his love and hers sho could
never think; but she tclt perfectly sure he
a'1 love her, and so, hoping that time would
solve the mystery and bring balm to her
wounded spirit, she watched aud waited for
the couling.
New years day came beautiful and bright.
Mabel and her friend Flnry never looked
lovciier. Mabel had ex planned her wishes,
nnG fully Infused her own spirit into her fair
friend
1t was impossible for nm indfFercn. person
not to feel their powers of fascination. To
Edgar Livingston who was one of their first
guests, they were quite irresistible. He lin
Cered on, Notwithstanding the many efforts Of
young friend who accompanied him to draw
him away.
"Do stay and hcip U.S." said Mabel. and
Wneh E'0ry beautItu! eyes repeated the wish
Edgar yielded
Few, if any, went from Clifton house dis
satisfied. Everything that heart could desire
or mind suggest in the wav Of dclicacics and
Injuries Of tho season, Mabel offered her
guests. But as her father had said. many
tongnrs were busy srccnlatinc about it. and
in few honrs it was widely knnwnt that Miss
Clifton was having ''tcmp"rancc rcccrtion."
Eagerly Mabel's eyes sought the door on
every new arrival Of guests She had Loncd
for the coming Of one. But the hours ra&scd
and when it grew late in the dav tho hone
faced and almost died out She had seated
herself wearily in All arm, chair. when tire
same greeting that had fallen on her ears 50
many times that day, "Hanpy Ncw>ycar. Miss
Clifton" caused the brisht light to return to
her eye, the beautiful flush to her face, as
she r"so to receive Ernest Addison.
There was an expression in his fine ewes.
when he received from her the fragrant Gun
ct c"i!"c, that relieved the suspense Of years.
Her heart was bounding with new hone.
Edgar Livingston had drawn Flory to the
window. They we're ooking out on the pas>
sers-bv. \ few moments, and rccling along
the sidewalk. shouting and singing n drinking
song, came Ed2ar's companion of the morn
Ftory turned from Tie sickening sight
Edger followed saying:
"But for you and Miss Clifton. 7 MIGHT
have bpru one Of th:t parity
And going nP to Mabel, he said:
Fthliss Clifton, your sHunher to.n;rh.
should ho very peaceful. You have not helped
to cloud either tho brain or heart of anv of
your friends to-day. Accept my warmest
thanks for having saved me from feeling
BOTH
Edgar saw an expression in Erncst's ewes
that made him think it would he Quite os
agreeable to all parties if he would take Florv
back to the recess of the window, to the piano.
or anywhere ont of hearing. just then.
few moments after, his fine voice was
blending with r"rs in y we'll ci,"srn n dnct.
Then Ernest told Mabel nr tl,c love which
had been h"'s since first he t"ew her:
81 "''n" "uc nieht 10 |av ,nY hear, before
you. I,n h,l ",arv .:ra<.s, End offered hem
T1-IV7 ]
glass untouched on tie -nhla. T left carly
| dared r"t VINO the heart Of one who held
snch 4 fearful tenn tatinu po!-e mo yyhr Won
will know when | til Won ,Ec .-rriffc truth
My only hrathcr vert dawn t. a drnnkard's
grave. the woman lr lnved nrgia.y him on"
''For tj'ne n,othcr and had won him
from his fatal passion. IIe was doing well.
We believed he would fulfill the bright prom
Use of early youth. lie grew t. love be.u,i
tuI girl. She was wild and thouoLtIess and
ono night st party in her fathers Lorsc
she urged him to drink"
"One glass. Every one but you takes
wine" she said
''lIe resisted She tainted him about
having TO abstain entirely because he bad not
the self control to use wine in moderation.-
tie yielded, accented the fatal glass from her
hand, and drank first moderately. then On
ard on in the old fearful way, until the end
ca'''c- a ruined life, aud mothers broken
heart"
:, "Do yon wonder that I fed from you p
Every hour since yearuing to return, yet
daring not"
;. To-day heard what you were doing
Earnestly thanking God that light. bad dawn
ed upon you, hastened here to lay my heart
before the only woman l have ever loved
Win yon be my wife, Mabel?"
Her heart was too full of joy-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
Il LII Lila. Z 49,