Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-12-17

that evening, and did not 60 out again
| Agnes slept her peaceful sleep for
many weeks that night.
The next day she received Helen's
! telegram.
Helen starts to night she said, to
her husband rs he took his hat to 60
out. "She will arrive here tomorrow
noon. BE sure you are NJ the depot to
meet her, Oscar"
Oscar was at home and asleep ut ten
o'clock that night. And he met Miss
Tyler the next noon with clear head
and breath free from the fumes OF
liquor.
~ have seen few finer looking men
ia all my travels than my friends hus-
band" thought Miss Tyler, as he gave
her greeting.
"What Il sunerb woman!" was Oscar
Monroe's mental comment, rs he look
cd on his wife's friend.
The two women met with kisses and
fond embraces. Agnc. was flushed
and radiant withioy and excitement,
and seemed to Helen the same fair,
Joyous girl she had parted with. But
after dinner that night, when Oscar had
gone out, and the two women set alone,
Helen saw the trouble in her friends
face, and the worn look creep about
the mouth and eyes.
"What il il all about dear2' she
asked, tendorly.
"OscarW answered Agnes with sob
"He is drinking again, Helen, for the
second time since our marriage. Two
/ I ,Nauun1 th.Y,t,,b har..I1 L.,
three months; since then he has been
perfectly correct in his habits until
within three weeks. Mother was with
me ut the time, and il made my lot
doubly bitter to have her witness the
misery she predicted would be mine, if
! married Oscar Munroe Since then
! have written her such happy letters Of
my domestic life, and imprcssing upon
her my confidence in Oscar. Now she
writes me TINT she IL coming to visit
me again. Oscar has been drinking for
three weeks, and | knew if left to him
self, NJ he would be during mothers
visit, that he would abandon himself ut
tcrly to his old thirst. was in utter
despair when, like an inspiration, !
thought of you.
81 knew Oscar was very sensitive
about tho opinion of strangers. lie is
very strict, too, in his idea of the colir-
tesy md attention due guest. Know
ing this, and remembering your strong
character and your will power, and
your magnetic force, thought if there
was any such thing rs saving him from
another terrible siege Of dobauchery,
that your presence would dol To no
one else on earth Helen could dis
close this skeleton in my closet; to no
one else could speak Of what is so bit
ter to me IN my domestic life. But
have exposed MI, told all to you freely,
and rely upon you to help me to save
my husband. Keep him Interested, de-
mand his attention, watch him, Helen,
and if he does fall, help me to hide the
bitter truth from my mother during
her stay. cannot have her accusing
eyes shy again to me-, i told you 50; MS
yo SOW We shall reap.
Helen Tyler gathered her friend to
her heart, and. rs her tears fell She
said, fcrvently,
81 will do all can for you and for
him, God helping me.
Scarcely WAS the compact sealed be
fore the closing Of the street door an
nounced the return of Oscar. 4 glad
light came into Agnes eyes.
so soonP" she said, 1T is not ten
o'clock Thank God for one more night
of poacep'
II was bat the second night Of mnny
to follow. Oscnr Monroe met his wirr's
mother with courteous cordiaity 20
natural to him when himself; and, by
his correct hours, clear eyes and stendy
hand, verified the reports Of his CON
llrmed reformation which the doubling
mother received from the trusting wife.
Helen Tyler held him from his snps
and boon companions nj by spell.
Several times during the first DAYS ot
her stay he felt tho old craving thirst,
but the thought of this fair womans'
surprise and scom hold him back.
"Sho il my guest, hc said mentally:
'shc respects aud Agnes says, admires
me. will not loose her esteem for
one accursed hour of physical salislac-
ton.
When II week had passed. the old
thirst had become subdurd again, and
once more under his control; and in
the rare fascination Of Helon Tylcrs
companionship he forgot that such =
foe to mans happiness and prosperity
Ms spirituous liquor existed.
Scarcely u day passed that no did not
take Helen for driye, or to some en-
tcrtainment, often with Agnes and her
mother TO accompany them; hut he
was always by Miss Tyler's side. ~
: Agnes desired he should he.
I'll like your friend so much! he said
to Agnes, ny the days were ON. Ineycr
met \ moro thoroughly delightful wo-
man IN my lifo. lam glad shc came.
Glad2 Agnes thanked God in silent
rapture every hour.
Helen likes you equally well. she
said, and says You are MS near mode,
man and husband ms she can conceive
of.
After her mothers return home
Agnes found il thousand and one neg
t leetcd duties that needed her attention,
for she had discovered thnt ere anoth.
cr year had flown. the homc-eirclc