The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-01-02


to great temptation. Oh, father, please
grant me this?"
"Really, dear, feel disposed to do
as you wish, but so many will be very
much disappointed. Besides, I have
not the courage to make this great
change, and set five hundred tongues to
work speculating about the cause of it.
Some will declare I'm about to fail !;
others, that l have grown penurious.
All, what is it, John?'
Just then the servant entered and
handed an envelope, saying:
"a telegram, SIR
Mr.. Clifton tore it quickly open, read
it, and exclaimed
REALLY this is too bad But I must
go. John, here" And hastily writing
few words for return dispatch, he
handed it to the servant, and, turning
to Mabel, said:
my old friend Hartwell is dying,
diiu DtSs tldl VIII udsteH W Hill. L
cannot deny him. So you will have to
entertain my friends tomorrow, and
explain the reason of my failing to see
them, the first time for so many years.
And-well, dear, you can do as you
choose about the bill of fare As / shall
not be home, the folks will not hold me
responsible for what happens in my alb
sence."
Oh, thank You, papa, for permission
to do as choose. l will willingly take
any unkind remarks, if any one feels
like making them. But feel confident
that all who have sons will give me their
kindest wishes for Withholding tempta-
ton from their boys. And to the young
men l shall try to make myself so agree
able, and have our cock to make the
coffee SO very fine, that they will GO
away quite as well pleased, and with
their brains good deal clearer, than il
| had entertained them with wine"
An hour after Mr.. Clifton was on his
way to the side of his dying friend.
Mabel sat down and wrote
"MY DEAR FLoRY: Come help me
receive our friends tomorrow. Papa
has been called away. l must have you
with me, as 1 am particularly anxious
to have my reception success.
Lovingly, MABEL"
Edgar likes Flory, l can plainly see
and l think she is not wholly indifferent
toward him. Together think We cal
! manage to hold him here tomorrow
and thus save his mother great sor
row, most likely" said Mabel.
Mabel Clifton was one of the lovelies
/ girls in p. Friends wondered tna
her heart had not yielded to some on'
of her many suitors. They did no
know she had no heart to yield to an.
of those who sought it.
The first season she appeared in the
select circle her fathers wealth and po
sition placed her, she met Ernest Addi
son. He was a noble looking man
talented, with mind and heart alik'
filled with good, true resolves. IL
Mabel he had been very attentive, ant
she grew to love him; feeling sure TIN
time was not far distant when he woul'
come to tell her of his love. But month
rolled by, and he spoke not. Gradual.
his visits grew less frequent, until the.
ceased. What it was that had com
between his love and hers she coul,
never think; but she felt perfectly sur
he did love her, and SO, hoping tina
time would solve the mystery and brini
balm to her wounded spirit, sh
watched and waited for the coming.
New Years Day came beautiful an
bright. Mabel and her friend Flor
never looked lovelier. Mabel had e1
planned her wishes, and fully infuse
her own spirit into her fair friend.
1t was impossible for an indifferen
person not to feel their powers of fasci
nation. To Edgar Livingston, who wa
one of their first guests, they were quit
irresistible. He fingered on, notwitl
standing the many efforts of youn
friend who accompanied him to dra'
him away.
"Do stay and help us, said Mabe
and when Flory's beautiful eyes repeat
ed the wish, Edgar yielded.
Few, if any, went from Clifton hous
dissatisfied. Everything that heal
could desire or mind suggest, in tn
way of delicacies and luxuries of tn
season, Mabel offered her guests. Bu
as her father had said, many tongue
were speculating about it, and IN fe'
hours it was widely known that Mist
Clifton was having temperance re
ception." j"
Eagerly Mabel's eyes sought th
door on everynew arrival of guests. Sh
had hoped for the coming of one. Br
the hours passed, and when it grew Lat
in the day the hope faded and almo'
died out. She had seated herself wear
, ly in an armchair, when the sam
greeting that had fallen on her ears
; many times that day, "Happy Ne
: Year, Miss Clifton" caused the brigf
| light to return to her eye, the beautifu
flush to her face. as she rose 10 receiy