Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-14
Continued from First Page. J

Of the onlookers. A deep groan went up
from the people, only to be suddenly
stilled as through the smoke and dust Will
was seen with the man in his hands, clam
bering over the recesses of hot brick.
1t seemed like a miracle but was in re-
slity very simple. When he saw that
there was no time to get out Of reach OF
the wall. he had drawn the injured man
to spot opposite great window. and as
the wall fell in one piece the brick went
each side and left him unscathed.
Relieved by ready hands of his burden
and looking neither to the right hand nor
the left, he went straight to Violet All
the women looked at her with a half-envi-
Gus sympathy to see how she would re-
ceive him. But Mary would not look for
it seemed to her that Violet's face at that
moment was something sacred. VIII
daaw her arm through his, and led her
away down one of the crimson-lghted
streets into the deserted village.
For the next week Will could not show
himself on the street without having to
shake hands with half dozen people anx-
ious to congratulate him on his pluck.
The contrast with the week before, during
which he had been ashamed to stir out OF
doors till after nightfall. was decided tes-
timony to the virtues of herosm as a salve
for human frailties Indeed. if the men
and the opportunities could only be brought
together, there are always individuals
enough who would be glad to mend their
regulations by risking their lives, to per-
form all the heroic deeds that humanity in
its daily experience stands in need OF.
Perhaps when society is more perfectly
organized this mutual adaptation will be
secured.
What part particularly pleased Will was
that he had been re-instated in Violet's ia
vOr without any temperance lectures. Tor
his principles as to drinking had been no
more affected by that croquet party episode,
than mans taste for driving by single
runaway accident. 1t was not drinking
but careless drinking that had done it.
Doubtless he would have chuckled with
still more amused self-congratulation, had
he known of the plot to take benevolent
advantage of his disgrace by forcing him
to take the pledge, which Mary and Violet
had laid, and which the affair at the fire
had SO completely Aanked. For, thanks to
that, he had returned to Violet not as
conscience-stricken suppliant, on whom
rigid conditions of pardon might be i'm
posed but as hero trailing clouds Of
glory and laying at his mistress feet as
public amends for his slip the civic crown
of oak leaves, that by Roman custom was
the need of him who saved citizens life
But could he have fully appreciated all
that was touching in her awe and worship
full admiration Of him since he had saved
. mans life, he would have had compunc-
tons in taking advantage of it. Who was
she, she asked herself. to reprove one who
for . mere strangers sake had dared to
throw the dice with death, as lightly as if
he had been playing forfeits with girl !
For the week or two after the fire Will
drank good deal more than usual, as a
result of the excitement and exhilaration
of his popularity. He took good care in
deed not to attend any more social re-
unions in an intoxicated condition. OF
that particular form of dissipation he was
pretty we'll cured. But he called on Vio-
let several times when she could not help
seeing that he had been indulging rather
freely. II began to be said about the vii
lage that Will Ronalds was going it pref
ty hard again. and the ladies began to talk
him up at the sewing circles and wonder if
AOtCb AA1kCn AucW 6DOut IL. MIS-. IIbLtu
liked Will well enough but naturally
thought her daughter ought to know about
these reports, and got herself into hot wa
ter several times by attempts to commune
cate them to her
One day, Violet did finally muster up
courage to speak to Will about his drink
ing. 1t was at the end Of a call, after he
had risen to go.
What . Puritanical little thing it is ?"
he had jestingly replied.
but you can't think it is good to be
to be-intemperate, dear" she said
earnestly, yet fearful lest she should hurt
his feelings.
'Of course moi" he replied, but don't
call moderate drinking intemperance
''But doesn't it lead to it Will? How
many people there are who begin with a
little and end with too much! If YOU
would only make up your mind to stop,
Fou could do it easily, you are SO strong.
md would try to make it up to you by
icing nicer than you can think. ! would
lot let you be sorry"
Is ever modest woman more piquant
O her lover than when she shyly vet frank
y owns confidence in her power to make
i'm happy? But she would not let him
interrupt her.
II know" she went on with the eager
less OF long repressed utterance. i've
'een sad-faced and dull lately, but it was
III because Of you. Whenever I've seen
Tou, I've seemed to see horrid deaths
read over your shoulder
mo wonder you haven't enjoyed my
alls, said Will. with rather wry face.
"Oh, don't be vexed at that Won't you
promise not to drink any more Win'
Won't you please, for my sske?'
He drew her close to his side and ca
'essed her soothingly for few moments
before he replied, and then he said tender
y but decidedly.
IL will take the pledge on our wedding
lay to make you happy. know can
Keep that if only by rejecting the happi-
ness you will give me. And let that be |
enough dear. Please don't fret your
sweet self any more over this teetotal non
sense.
But naturally she did fret herself, and
often enough her pillow was wet with
tears. Forebodings were saddening the
betrothal period. that maiden honeymoon
which should be sweet, and her anticipa-
tons of the future were clouded with
that was sad shadow on the