Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-01-08

Mabel Clifton was one Of the loveiest
girls in P. Friends wondered that
her heart had not yielded to 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 in the se.
lect circle her fathers wealth and position
placed her, she met Ernest Addison He
was a noble looking man, talented, with
mind and heart alike filed with good, true
resolves. TO Mabel he had been very at
tentive, and she grew to love him, feeling
sure the time was not far distant when he
would come to tell her Of his love. But
months rolled by, and he spoke not. Grad.
ually his visits grew less frequent, until
they ceased What it was that had come
between bis love and hers she could never
think but she felt perfectly sure be did
love her, aud so, hoping that time would
solve the mystery and bring balm to her
wounded spirit, she watched and waited for
the coming.
New-year's day came beautiful and
bright. Mabel and her friend Flora never
looked loveler. Mabel had expressed her
wishes, and fully infused her own spirit in
% her fair friend
II was impossible for an indsiferent per-
sou not to feel their powers Of fascination.
70 Edgar Livingston, who was one of their
first guests, they were quite irresistible.
lie 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 FIora'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 Injuries of the season, Mabel
offered her guests. But as her father had
said, many tongues were busy speculatine
about it, aud in few hours it was widely
known that Miss Clifton was having Q
temperance reception"
Eagerly Mabel's eyes sought the door OF
every new arrival of guests. She haC
hoped for the coming of one. But The
hours passed, and when it grew late in tn,
day the hope faded and almost died out
She had seated herself YEARLY 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 bright light to return to her eye, the
beautiful flush to her face, as she rose &c
receive Ernest Addison.
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.
Edgar Livingston had drawn Flora tC
the window. A few moments, and reslinl
along the sidewalk, shouting and singing a
drinking song, came Edgar's companion o.
the morning.
Flora turned from the sickeniDg sight
Edgar followed, saying:
"But for you and Miss Clifton, nigh
have been one of that party"
And going up to Mabel he said:
Miss Clifton, your slumber to-nigh
should be very peaceful. You have no
helped to cloud either the brain or heart o
any of your friends to-day. Accept m,
warmest thanks for having saved me fron
feeling both"
Edgar saw an expression in Ernest
eyes that made him think it would be quit
as agreeable to all parties if he would tax
Flora back to the recess of the window, +
the piano, or anywhere out of hearing jus
then.
A few moments after, his fine voice wa
blending with hers in well-chosen duet.
Then Ernest told Mabel of the Low
which had been hers since first he knew
her
came one night to lay my heart be
fore you. You had many guests, and OF
fered them wine; you noticed not that
placed my glass untouched on the table.
dared not WOO the heart of one who he'll
) such fearful temptation before me: VIII
you will know when l tell you the terribl
! truth. My only brother went down to
drunkard's grave, the woman he loved urg
ing him on.
For time mother and | had won hir
from his fatal passion. He was doing wei
We believed he would fulfill the brigh
promises of early youth. He grew to lov
beautiful girl. She was wild and thought
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10 you wohuer una. ned irom you
Every nour since yearning 10 re'urn' y'
daring not.
lo-uay 1 nearu wnas you were .o,ni
Earnestly thanking goa ina, hgh' ma
! uawneu upon you, l nas'eneu hers 70 ID
my nea,' oe,ore SS,, 'ne only WOMAN l nave =,
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: coulu not ,ei' Nun IN words now naPpy 50
. was put her niue nanu iay sun, ia M
one ralseu her eyes d moment, anu ne sa
= 'ne iove oi years peaning 'nere' NC hee'
eu no other answer
'uuglng from tue low tones in'o ~hic
.ne voices IN inc o'ner room neu iaiien'