The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-05-24

shocked face, then, when it was done
she said, smoothing the curls from the
flushed brow, "Well, dear, this is SAD
blow, but you must try your best t.
save him."
"What can do, auntie?" cried the
girl, impatiently.
"You alone can do nothing, Marion
but God with you, you can" replied
Mrs. Linton sOlemnly.
"But would you have me marry q
drunkard, auntieY" and the girl shud-
dered.
"Heaven forbid, my child but Marion
dear, we must be charitable and not
judge too harshly. Perhaps, for all we
know, it Is his first Otfense."
"But what shall | say to him when
he comes Tomorrow"
Then Miss Linton talked to the eX-
cited girl It'll she was calm again and
left her to "Iired Natures Sweet Re-
stOrer."
The next evening Mr.. Prescott was
announced aud Marion went down to
meet him with a firm resolve in her
heart.
He advanced to meet her with out
stretched arms.
"And how did my little witch get
along without me ?" he cried, pressing
Il kiss on the white cheek.
Better than Felix Darcy got along
with YOU" she returned scOrnfully.
"MariOn what do you mean?" he
cried hoarsely.
"Only that ] had the pleasure of see
ing you and Mr.. Darcy enter your
boarding house last night" She was
watching him intently and thought she
saw the hot blood surge up all over his
handsome face. "And Mr.. Prescott,
wish our engagement to discontinue" 5"
and she took off the sparkling solitaire
and held it towards him. But Aleck
only looked at her with a daZed eX-
preston.
marion, Marion, do you mean what
you say? believe me, my darling, this
is the first time | drank to excess, and
did not know | was doing so then.
After finishing my business last night
| was hurrying to meet you at Mrs.
Greyson's, for | was through sooner
than | expected, when | met Felix
Darcy, who invited me to come in and
see how handsomely their club was
fitted up, for he was just on his
way to it. Little dreaming of any
harm, | consented and followed him
into the brilliantly lighted apartment.
Before | went Felix had wine brought
in and drank glass, but at the time
thought it smelt more like whiskey.
A | Il l-npuF
nothing more until | found myself in
bed this morning. Marion will you
cast me off after this?" lie came and
looked down into the lovely face with
yearning eyes.
MariOn's firm resolve faltered a mo-
ment. Could she have him leave her?
Oh how dearly she loved him. But
it was only for a moment, then she
looked up and said, "Aleck Prescott,
when you come to me at the end of two
years, and tell me that no liquor has
passed your lips all that time, then and
then only can be your wife" She
went hurriedly out then, afraid to trust
herself any longer.
Aleck gazed after the retreating
figure, and looking towards Heaven, he
said, "Marion, may God abandon me if
ever | break the promise ! now make"
Two years quickly passed, but they
seemed eternity to poor Marion. How
she accused herself night and day for
her folly. Miss Linton had not the
heart to scold the girl for her ridiculous
firmness after his explanation. And
Marion, not knowing whether he was
angry with her or not, looked for him
time and again in vain. She had never
seen him since that evening, though
it was nine days wonder with the
gOssips as to where Aleck had gone and
why Marion did not know. But the
nine days were soon over, and the viii
lage people soon found a new theme to
discuss.
But at last it was the second anniver-
sary of the day AleCk left her, and
Marion dressed herself with beating
heart, Blue was his favorite color. SO
she dressed herself in delicate blue
crepe Just showing the white neck and
rounded arms. She then went into the
conservatory and gathered some tiny
pure lilies of the valley, looping her
dress here and there with them. There
was a flush in her cheeks that had not
been there for many day, and Miss
Linton said gaily, "Whois expected to-
night, that my little girl looks so
happy?" Marion only smiled, and
seating herself at the piano, she played
a soft, sweet melody that had once been
Alexis favorite.
She was in fever of expectation.
The dainty little clock on the mantle
struck ten. Marion's eyes were losing
their brightness and her cheeks their
bloom. just then the bell rang. With
out Il word Miss Linton rose and left
the room; another moment and Marion
Altemus heard step that she knew so
well and then Aleck Prescott came into
the room.
"My darling, are you mine still"
he whispered.
Forever, Aleck, until death do Us
part, T." was the solemn answer.
An hour later Miss Linton entered
and saw them perfectly happy. 81 will
not disturb them" she thought, and
going out she left them to themselves.
uu---ua--uu---E-u.s---
SeIrDIscipline.
Costly anDaratus and sDlenhid cabinets