The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-02
CHE 8utlanA Daily 6lohe
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER ., 1876.
a Temperance Sketch.
BY HORACE WALKER.

n
The grave calm stealing DER That face,
Which now despite It's youth and blcom
soon must slumber In the tomb.--FUra.
She was an orphan. She was an hciress,
was this heroine of Ours, Miss Mabel Rivers,
and pretty, too, was she. 1t was not that
light, flimsy beauty characteristic OF some,
but rather that solid, wholesome Kind that
gives the true lover of icmioine attractive
ness so much of real, uusOphlsticated en-
joyment.
Eighteen years had swept over her head,
silently, heedlessly, ii would seem, and
now, for the first time in her life, che was
to go to ball. grand dance.
How her freeh young heart throbbed as
she stood before her reflection in the seclu-
sion of bet boudoir, just one short half hour
before the ball! But the Joy was spcntan-
eous. since, as already told, il was TO be
her first ball. Not that she had not danced.
for she had, but never at a ball, grand
public ball. Hers had all been private,
home, or neighborly affairs.
She was to be accompanied by Madam
Singleton, her guardians stiff, aristocratic
lady for by the simple yet dear word Of
wife she would not consent to be called.
But Mabel had 70 compunctions for this.
She was going to the ball, which was quite
enough for her to know. So with Lady
Singleton as her chaperon, she shortly found
herself in the glitter and blaze Of the brill
liantly illumed ball room.
1t quite took poor Msbels breath away.
| What splendid affair it was How il sent
the hot blood coursing through her veins
| Oh, if 1t could always be thus! How inf
nitely happy she would be.
"Mabel," came in the short, crisp tones
of Mrs. Singleton, "are you beside your
self, or are you gone msd with the intoxi-
eating sceney"
"Wbat? Yes. What did you ray ?" hest
tated enraptured Mabel, forcing her gaze
from the merry throng Of dancers. ayes,
alb, yes. 1t was whether l had gone crazy
over the dance. Oh, no, not quite, but al
most Isn't it grand?" and her sparkling
eyes ayain rested on the brilliant scene.
In all that vast crowd, Mabel scarcely
knew single soul, and she was fastening
| her eyes on certain sang; trOi6 young man,
of unusual good looks, aud wondering who
he was, when her intimate friend, Egbert
Lansing, tauntefed up TO her.
"Not dancing Mabel How is this? ~
and bis rich laugh rang above the music.
:'No, have Just arrived, and | am so
delighted. How far in advance of our So
cial dances"
SIN brilliancy, that's all. But come, you
must waltz with me. Shall she not, Mrs.
Singleton"
Certainly. Mabel, Egbort desires to en-
brace you,-for that is an explanation OF
the word waltz
"Tut, tut, my dear Mrs. Singleton. 1t
is no such thing. Your explanation is en-
tirely erroneous. The waltz is one of the
most fashionable dances oxtant. Come,
now. you just try it with me-"
ssDphny npnlIn't roach half rlllnl
me. Mabel don't keep him waiting. The
music has already struck up"
And az Mabel Rivers whirled amid the
May dance, and felt the strong arms OF
Egbcrt, she knew that 1t was indeed de-
liphtful to waltz
Two or three figures through with, and
she found herself asking Lansing about the
sang, tfOid young stranger she had curiously
eazcd upon.
THAT. IIa, that is my friend, or chum
rather It-well, l declare, and you don't
know Rob Bernard p
GLOW should p
'lf did not think you would fall des-
peraiely in love with him, | should &c
srsightway and fetch him to your pres
ence.
Nonsense" put in Mrs. Singleton, with
q doprecating shrug of the shoulders. "She
| Will ItNGi ilitNt iitl l4NNtA W ~ bANt1
q mortal as this companion of yours.
'All joke. Simply play at words
OF course she will do nothing of the kind
for although Rob is my chum, do not un.
dertake to say that he is worthy of your
neice. Far from it. Not that he is not {
good, whole-souled fellow, but privately
he + trifle addicted to his cups, just {
trific, however; but you cannot tell to wha
it might tend"
"Evening to you, Egbert,' and almost
unexpectedly Robert Bernard came upor
them.
"The same, Rob"
GLOW goes the dance, Egbert ?"
Fright merrily. Don't you want a part
ner p
''Yes, am in sore need"
And agiecably to Mabel's earnest de
sires, she was presented to Mr.. Robert
Bernard. How her soul went out to this
man. How free and unrestrained she wal
in his proaence. Was it love at first sight
Yes and all through that evening and fal
into the ''wee sma' hours she was seen il
close proximity to him. Could it be 1t
cared for her ? she was continually asking
herself. Ii seemed so at least, and thu
seeming was to find expression in words
since at this very instant he was urging he
to repair TO the conservatory.
She wondered what Mrs. Singleton wOulC
think-say, If she were aware that she stool
almost alone in the but poorly illuminated
room with the stout arm of Bernard encir
cling her waist. But why need she care
She was her own mistress now. If she ha(
never thought aud acted for herself wh,
was this not good time to commence
"How strange it is that we should be 81
drawn to each other" she murmured.
at is love at first sight" said Bernard
unreservedly.
A little half gasp, and few tell-tal
bushes, was all he question occasioned
1t was sufficient Robert Bernard knew
now that he had but to woo and win
this pure, artless girl. But though he wa
comparatively poor and she an heiress
there was nothing mcrcenary in his motive
II was unsulled love. He could not hell
ibid not desire to.
The hours sped on golden capped MN
utes, and they parted. Not forever. No
many meetings occurred after the one il
the ball room-happy, enjoyable meetings
As her guardian, Mr.. Singleton, coul'
but see the necessity on his part for imme
date action; he pondered the matter seri
ously. Something must be done, since Rol
Bernard was as unworthy of Mabel's hol,
affection as could well be imagined; for 1t
was not only addicted to the use of wine
but his habits of life were far from deslr
: able
After long consideration of the pecrlia
case Singleton came to the conclusion tina
he would speak with Mabel about it &C
cordingly, he dispatched servant for her
'Do you love Rob Bernard ?" was tn
abrupt question with which she was greete'
as he entered the library
"Love Rob Bernard p Yes, uncle, bette
J, than my own life"
"'Tis unfortunate. His habits are ia
from exemplary"
"But with my love he lcU reform"
"Fifty years experience with life doe
not confirm me in your assertion"
81 have confidence"