The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1880-12-23

three months; since then he has been
perfectly correct in his habits until
within three weeks Mother was with
me at the time, and it made my lot
doubly bitter to have her witness the
misery she predicted would be mine, if
l married Oscar Munroe Since then
I have written her such happy letters of
my domestic life, and impressing upon
her my confidence in Oscar. Now she
writes me that she is coming to visit
me again. Oscar has been drinking for
three weeks, and I knew if left to him.
self, as he would be during mothers
visit that he would abandon himself ut
terly to his old thirst. [ was in utter
despair when, like an inspiration, L
thought Of you.
II knew Oscar was very sensitive
about the opinion Of strangers. He Is
very strict, too, in his idea Of the cOur
tesy and attention due a guest. Know
ing this, and remembering your strong
character, and your will power, and
your magnetic force, thought if there
vas any such thing as saving him from
another terrible siege of debauchery,
that your presence would doit. To no
one else on earth Helen, could | dis
close this skeleton in my closet; to no
one else could I speak of what is so bit
ter to me in my domestic life. But l
have exposed all, 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. I cannot have her accusing
eyes say again to me, I told you so; as
We SOW We shall reap.'
Helen Tyler gathered her friend to
her heart, and, as her tears fell she
said, fervently:
4 will do all l 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. \ glad
light came into Agnes eyes
o'clock. Thank God for one more night
Of peace"
1t was bat the second night Of many
to follow. Oscar Monroe met his wife s
mother with courteous cOrdlality so
natural to him when himself; and, by
his correct hours, clear eyes and steady
hand, verified the reports of his con-
tirmed reformation which the doubling
| mother received from the trusting wife.
Helen Tyler held him from his cups
and boon companions az by a spell.
Several times during the first days OF
her stay he felt the old craving thirst,
but the thought OF this fair womans'
surprise and scorn held him back.
She is my guest" he said mentally;
she respects and Agnes says. admires
me. | will not loose her esteem for
one accused hour of physical satisfac-
ton"
When Il week had passed the old
thirst had become subdued again, and
once more under his control; and in
the rare fascination of Helen Tyler
companionship he forgot that such a
foe to mans happiness and prosperity
as spirituous liquor existed.
Scarcely a day passed that he did not
take Helen for drive, or to some en-
tertainment. often with Agnes and her
mother to accompany them; but he
was always by Miss Tyler's side, as
Agnes desired he should be.
Il like your friend so much" he said
to Agnes, as the days wore on. Inever
met more thoroughly delightful wo-
man in my life lam glad she came. =
Glad? Agnes thanked God in silent
rapture every hour.
| Helen likes you equally WELL" she
said, and says you are as near model
man and husband as she can conceive
of"
After her mothers return home,
Agnes found a thousand and one neg
lected duties that needed her attention
for she had discovered that ere anoth-
er year had flown. the home-circle
would be widened, and all alone to he1
own heart she Rugged the sweet secret
and thanked God newly for her hus-
bands reformation
So, happily and busily the hour:
sped for her, and more and more she
found to employ her hands and time
and hinder her from joining in the
drives and pleasures of her guest and
husband
And day by day and hour by houl
they were unconsciously nearing ar
abyss as deep and dark as the one
Oscas Monroe had been saved from.
They knew it when the hour fol
parting came Helen had been he1
friends guest two months when a tele
grom called her home.
They were all together when the
message came
Il am sorry-oh, so sorry you must
go" said Agnes. Il feel unwilling tc
give you up. But this is imperative
land | know | must not complain.
can never thank you enough for com
ing"
| Then a servant called her out int
the domestic regions, and the two were
left together alone.
Their as silence for a moment, anC
then they looked at each other. Bott
!. faces were pale as are the dead-botf
hands shook like leaves in the wind.
'Hill you miss me?' said Helen. anC
lshe tried to smile.
Miss you? Oh, my God,''
1t was the cry of a man stricken b,
a thunderbolt.
| Like lightning the truth had come
llOIllt W Dolll IedltS, Vi just Nllll III:
two months daily associates hat
brought to them-the sweetest hours
the most perfect JOY, the greatest salts
faction, the most complete happines:
of two lives.
And now it must end, and for ever
| All light, all hope, all JOY, seemed tc
go out Of the world at the thought.
Il want to say just one word to you p
said Helen, and her voice shook anC
trembled. II want to bid you to bt
strong, to be brave to resist temptation
to be true, brave man in the future
though We never meet again. | shall
like to think of you always as l knew
YOU
She rose up to go out of the room
He rose, too.
For Gods sake,' he cried-''fo
Gods sake, do not let us part like this
| must speak, Helen-I must tell yor
what you have done for me. Before
you came I was miserably weak, ant
completely under the control Of m,