The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-03-06

Dnt now swcct rest is Ietter-best Of Ill: t''
HETTIEs FIRST VALENTINE.
Tt swas azalovarb II mseiipg, aSlovers'
parting, when Robert Grey, walking
across the fields in the summer twilight,
found Hettie Holmes mt the stile wait.
ing fofshima There was nolight'inl: her
eyes when they caught sight of his tall,
strong figure coming toward her, no
smile.o on her lips when he stood near
her waiting fer her to speak. Hunbly,
yet scercely with the humility Of a
lover, he looked into Tie face before
him, 80 very young and fair, so stern
and pale. She looked at his handsome
face, his tall FORM md lahudder shook
her from head to foot. Very small,
very slight, there was yet q dignity in
her voice. and look as she said in q low
tone: 9gs 4 p,tI4s ss-s .yr ,.ys <s.f fi.,ts
IT came to meet you once more, as
you requested, Robert, but you must
ton ~ + 's'';'s.e .'777'
You cast me of, then, he said,
sadly and very. very bitterly.
ts It is your own aetl Il. et.s /
But, Hettie, I am hot the only man
who sometimes takes glass more than
is. good for him. he pleaded.
80 - Yon are the only man that could
work misery 20 me bydrnnkenness. = she
17saifil asIil erol u gss 7 fisiann
t;ss,s,s,y -rSosd /. Robert bnt it is a true ono.
You were taken home from the ball on
Thursday evening helpless from intoxi-
cation.
But, Hettie, it wns a festive time.
: All the young men were more or less
sdes The influence of liquor.
g I. 10. al, Robert. Thank Heayen,
& some of The mothers and wives Wc1Es
spared that angniah.n ~ 4
- Il ssssttio, de::h; tao hard
9,.:: = II 1l,es Ent Lci;- ta,,s.n-
ssIt has happened foncei Too often,
Robert, for tyou and for me. 1, fold
you l would never marry men who
used liquor, and will Keep my word.
How often have you deceived me I will
not ask. Thursday evening I saw
you"
g 1t shall not happen again, Hottie ;
upon my honor, it shall not !"
"Will you sign tile pledge?" she
asked, hope for the first time lighting
her soft brown eyes.
must trpst me, Hettie. Think u man.
signs hinaself a.coward when he puts
his name TO such 8 paper, ais If he was
afraid of his own resolution"
a.;.t Z vice you have trusted to your res
olntion, and ] have trusted you. Twice
you have failed to keep J'onr promise.
4 The young voice waa har and stern
again. But moment later Hettfe
spoke In. q gentler voice.
Robert, she said, s you have
knoan me only as q nursery goyerness
to Mrs. Reid's children, IN orphan and
alone in the world. Your love was a
generous one, forly you are above me in
position, have wealth, and might marry
n far handaomer and richer girl than I
am"
t'tII love you, was the simple reply
Z and there wero tears in Hettie's eyes. ms
she heard il. ,- ~ 5, 81
Because I believe you love me;
Robert, II will tell you what hoped
mightnevor have been known here. My
i. home is SO far away, ail I loved there
have been dead for three weary years, !,
and i hoped the. same might be buried
forever. But, Robert, listen, my father
died u drnnkard's death after living q.
! d,iIakard'sYlife for fourteen years. = /
can rene mber, though dimly, q hand
i Home house, my mother handsome and
happy, we'll dressed, with every com
fort Ssithin hor reach } I can well re-
member the gradual downfall from one
home to another, each poorer than the
sess, the warm, .comfortable clothing
growing shahbiorx aDd shabbier, the
bountisul table growing more and more.
z 4seanty. Worst of all, Robert, child as
h 4 was, could see the change from a
noble, upright manhood to the brutality