The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-10-01


Loolie replied: Il have told you
that would never marry a man who
gets intoxicated and any one looking
into your face, Mr.. Norton, must see
that you drink hard"
He turned away with sudden anger.
You are as frank as ever" he said.
" Nobody can complain of you that you
don't speak your mind plainly,
Isn't that the most honest courseP"
she asked.
He was silent an instant, and then re-
piled " Yes, Loolie, you are in the
right. But / love you so much / am
sure could conquer any habit you did
not like"
you may feel sure, but>I do not, q
she rejoined. ehf't
"What can I do to convince you Pn he
inquired, anxiously. "If do not taste
a single drop of any intoxicating liquor
for year will you consent to marry
mep"
"If you do not taste drop for two
years, / may perhaps consent, provided
you agree to certain conditions | shall
propose" she replied.
"They must be hard conditions if / do
not agree to them" he exclaimed, exult-
ingly: He attempted to draw her toward
l.
He took her hand and looked steadily
into her eyes, as he said: II solemnly
promise you, Loolie, that for two years /
will not taste drop of any Intoxicating
liquor. 1t is long time to wait; but /
am willing to serve as long as Jacob did,
If can only win my Rachel at last"
After that, a large portion of his even
ings were spent at Mrs Draper's, and
the places that had known him knew
him no more. For a while his former
comrades wondered what had bect me of
him, but they soon fathomed the mys-
terry, and laughed as they said: "He's
got in love with that handsome girl from
the East, and he is too much taken up
with her singing to his flute to care for
our company"
"Our turn will come again when she
gets to be an old story" said another.
But Loolie's expressive face and lively
dramatic ways had the charm OF per-
petual novelty. He craved no other ex-
citcment than her company, and he
sometimes urged his indifference to more
dangerous conviviality as reason why
his term of probation should be short
ened. But Loolie had always been noted
for being firmly persuaded in her own
mind, and when she formed resolution
oiiO W 90 ltOb CetollJ bClnPbCQ W 6WCINO
from it. 1t was a happy period to both
of them; especially to Loolie, who, in
addition to the common bliss of I" loves
young dream" had pleasant conscious
ness of leading her companion away
from paths the end of which was inevi-
table ruin.
The morning after the two years had
passed he came bounding into the gar
den where she was training some vines,
placed his hand on her shoulder and
exclaimed, eagerly, "The time is up, and
| have kept my promise. You believe
me, don't you, LooieP"
Eyes, l believe you, Robert, for l
know you never deceive. And your face
tells plainly enough how much you have
improved in these two years"
land you always keep your promises ;
so tell me, dear, when shall the wedding
beP"
She gave him one of her mischiev-
Gus glances, as she replied, "You know
promised provided you would agree to
certain conditionsP" tf
"Oh, yes, the conditions-I accept
them. "What are theyp" he hastily re-
Joined.
EVERY time you get intoxicated, ]
also will get intoxicated. If you agree
to that bargain beforehand, l will marry
YOU"
"What funny grill" he exclaimed.
"Of course you may get intoxicated
whenever do"
lam not in fun" she replied; "I
seriously mean what | say; and l want
you also seriously to agree to it; other
wise / will not promise to marry you"
81 agree to your conditions" he said !;
though they do seem to me to be a pre-
cious piece of absurdity."
He was tempted to laugh, but looking
At herserious face, his own became sober,
and he folded her to his heart, as he said,
very solemnly, Loohe, dear, you shall
never have cause to repent that you
trusted me-"
They were married not long after
ward, and I1oolie became mistress of q
splendid home. There was little too
much of California lavishneSs in their
arrangements; but they did not shoe
their horses with gold, or stud the dogs
collar vita diamonds; a moderation
which ought to be set down to their
credit, considering the intoxicating eff
fects of sudden wealth.
A beautiful little boy came TO them
about year after their marriage; and
as Loolie was naturally very affectionate
her babe proved a more satisfactory OBJ
iect of interest than bracelets and ear
rings. Robert was very proud of his
handsome lively wife, and the babe was
her only rival in his affections. Every
body remarked what a wonderfully do
mestic man he had become. Thus three
years glided happily away, and no
shadow of the old fear crossed his wife's
imagination. But one day he went TO a
public dinner, where there was riotous
eating and drinking. Amid the con-
tagious merriment he forgot his promise
to Loolie. After hours of senseless revel,
he was brought home in state of stupoi
and deposited in bed. There he slept a
long leaden sleep, and awoke at noon
with throbbing headache. At first, he
was bewildered; but finding that he had
not been undressed, the remembrance o.
the dinner party returned to him, anG
he felt heartily ashamed. He had such
a dread of Loolie's reproaches that his
first impulse was to escape. Ht
rose to his feet, but staggered
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