The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-12
WINES WORK.
q" Promise me, Charlie I"

WINES WORK.
Promise me, Charlie |"
She was leaning playfully over the
back of his chair, looking down into his
face. By "she" I mean Mrs. Cole. and
Charlie" was her husband. He had
just settled himself for quiet after-din-
ner cigar. But Mrs. Cole had mis-
chlevlously snatched it from his hand.
threatening to withhold it until he gave
her the desired promise. And now she
LAID one hand caressingly on his fore
mead, and stealing the other under his
chin she looked archly yet half earnestly
down into the dark deeps of his eyes, as
she repeated: "Promise me, Charlie.
Now do that's dearl"
Nonsense, Virginia p And he tried
to put away her hand.
Oh, Charlie |" reproachfully.
Pshaw, do let me go. You'll choke
me, he said, half impatiently.
And 80 L will, she cried, merrily.
If you don't promise me, this yery
minute, not to drink anything stronger
than pure cold water at Uncle Logan's
party tonight"
Yes, yes, yesl There, now, I hope
YOU"
ON your honor
Certainly. Yes, Of course |"
ION, sir, thought could bring you
to terms. Recollect, you have said on
yonr honor"
And then, while her face grew earnest
lnlts pleasing expression, she added: ooh.
Charlie, you do not know how anxious /
have felt about this party ever since we
decided to go: They always have such
a gay time at Uncle Logan's. And you
know, dear, though you would not do a
wrong thing yourself, how easy it is for
your, companions to make you go too
lar, because you are such a dear good
natured fellow. But now that you have
promised me, feel quite easy. And,
dear, don't forget when the young men
me and baby"
And he promised.
Going out to an evening party at
Uncle Logan's was no small affair. CON
sidering that it was q good fiye-rniIe
ride from Glendale, out into the country.
over rough roads, with Maple river.
swollen by recent rains-to be crossed.
For this was in remote and secluded
part OF England, distant from any rail
road, and with no town near where a
vehicle might be obtained. Besides,
virginia Gale was q frst-rate horse
woman. and feared nothing on her own
account. That she was thus rather rash
ana foolhardy, will appear from the fact
mat she had resolved to cucumber her
self with burden, though Of o very in
teresting kind.
Lights were glimmering from the win
dows as they rode up to Uncle Lopan's
gate; and the number of horses and
Vehcles already congregated around it
showed that the invited guests of the
Christmas eve party were already bepin-
ming to drop IN. Aunt Lizzie came out to
the door to meet them, and took the sleep
ing babe from Vrgie's poor, tired arms.
Remember, Charlie I" she said i'm.
ploringly, laying her head on his shoul.
der as they were on the point of separa-
hng-she, for Aunt Lizzie's comfortable
room above stairs-he, for the society of
his boon companions.
Never fear mel" And he went gayly
away.
Alas for the promise made to the
fond, credulous wife, sitting up stairs in
the quiet matroply circle, with her babe
on her knee. In less than half an hour
Charles Gale had forgotten his promise.
wife child, everything; and again and
again his glass was filled, and his voice
raised in riotous chorus with the
loudest.
:. The night waned and the guests began
to disperse. Virgie sat in the dressing
room all ready for the ride, holding in
ner lap what seemed to be q huge bun
die OF shawls, but which was in reality
little Charlie, who lay curled up in his
warm nest fast asleep, with one little
fat thumb in his mouth. -
wonder what makes Charles 30
Late. she said, at last, impatiently.
-" Aunt Lizzie, will you please send for
him, and say I'm waifingf"
he came at length. But the first
words he spoke told her all. She knew
ut once that he was intoxicated, thouoh
to others only very slight excitement
was all that appeared unusual about
him.
Oh the shamei She hardly dared
speak to him. All her thought was to
get him away before he BETRAYED bia
condition to other eyes.
"Give me the child" he said.