South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-09-26
BY Midnight Express.

P''o Ane, Noyail IieaSe
promise
Grace Arden looked up into her lovers
face with wistful eye, and cheeks stain.
ed with faint crimson, while the sunny
tendrils OF her dark brown hair were
brushed back from blue-veined temples
"A fair ahd winning little pleader as
ever uttered Tbs words Of entreaty.
Royal Merriam looked ct her with a
laugh OF conscious supetiarity.
What nonsense, Grace At II there
were any danger
There is always danger, Royal, In
your business. and with-with that ha-
Bit
Habit, Grace? Now you are going a
little too far. don't drink more than
other men. 1t is not confirmed habit,
and never will be-
There Royal aud she drew closer to
him ard laid one appealing hand on his
arm. you surely won't refuse to promise
me that you'll never touch another glass
OF liquor2'
Nonsense. Grace You talk as il I
was confirmed drunkard. Let me go
now, I've only got just time enough to
get to the Sheperds Arms to meet Lee
and Delmar.'
The tears sparkled in Gracie's eyes.
Then / have no influence over you
whatever, Royal?
Lots Of it, little woman Now don't
look so sober. Only YOU know, it's fol.
ly to ask such an Unreasonable pledge.
Goodbye
Goodbye, Royal
ed?'
Only sorry. Royal. Because know
that papa neve: will lot me marry man
who drinks
Royal Merriam turned on his heels
while dark frown contracted his black
brow. and strobe away muttering some.
thing about narrow minded old fools who
expected every man TO be cut after their
own pattern
But lie had walked only little dis,
lance when the cloud cleared away from
his face, and the old careless, good ma.
tured smile once more came back.
Dear little Grace he said TO himself.
Perhaps she is right. after all. / Ue-
lieve | am getting TO be more fond OF
stray glass than 1 ought to be; but Of
course there's no danger. a man can
always control himself. Still I'll go back
and make peace with the little biue-eyed
kitten. aud II she wants ne to promise,
why. I'll PROMISE
The Sheperd's Arms was an uppre.
tending little village hostelry. through
whose drawn red curtains the evening
light shone cheerfully, and Royal Meri.
ANS boon companions welcomed him
uproariously.
You're coming to the end OF your
rope, old fellow said one. The Super.
intendent is going TO strike everybody
that drinks social glass, Off from the
list. Says it amt business -like-can't
afford TO run any risks
4 don't know what the worlds coming
to. for my part said another, looking
into the bowl OF Of his short pipe. a
man might as well be slave and he
done with it,
I've heard something o: it before,
said Merriam, carelessly. Il don't know
but what it is wise enough regulation
on The whole. But there's ono thing
certain; Ill drink the Superintendent
health tonight, if l never do again
A general laugh echoed this assertion
of Royal Merriam and the hour or two
that followed poor Grace Arden's pite-
Gus request, Grace Arden's tear brim-
med blue eyes we're entirely FORGOTTEN.
Drunk drunk! Never was more
sober in my life. Yea, yes, know that
it's time 70 start, and here am flesh as
a cricket
Royal Merriam swung himself to his
place on the glit.ering fire-throated loco
motive with the careless ease and Light
ness OF a mountaineer.
60 ahead he called out.
The depot-master looked curiously at
him.
You may not DO drunk said he. but
you've been drinking, my fine fellow.
and you'll be reported at Headquarters
before the world is twenty -four hours
older
So saying ne drex little leather
book out Of his vest pocket
and wrote down the words, Merriam.
engineer, Flying Dart with the slow.
mechanical accuracy OF one who consid.
cr5 in his own mind.
Merriam fully believed his own assor-
ton that he was not drunk. lie had
Been drinking great deal. but then he
knew his head could stand more than
Vie average OF brains. lie felt sort OF
lighLnessj jocular content. as he sat
there Mt his post. The lights along the
road sParEled more prominently than
usual The stars seemed To- shine will
brightness and once or twice
ue caught himself huskily answering
some one who had not spoken.
What's that you're saying, Mr.. Meri-
am said tho fireman o. last.
Saying: Royal laughed aloud, didn't
speak. 1 was only coughing,
All OF sudden he grew sleepy bis
brain seemed TO become confused.
All right, said he--'all right I'll