Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-12-07

rum, ana has broken so many iona Wo
mems hearts. will throw it ou; of th'
window. and then we'll eat as many
philopenas as you please. I've a pocke
full Of almonds, and you'll find then
much nicer than this. Major Dukeheart
may | take the glass p
The major let her take it. 1t seemed
TO him that he could not have refused hel
if his life depended on it.
She turned to the open window anc
tossed out the sparkling wine.
There, now" she said. "oh, how
wish could empty the whole world o'
the curse. as have emptied this glass
Now. Major" linking one white hand il
his arm. and putting the other in hel
pocket. IL am ready for the philopena.
See what large almonds; every shell con-
tains double nut"
The major ate the philopena and lost
his heart irretrievably at one and the
same time. She was so fair, so sweet,
50 womanly and winning, he had nc
power, and indeed, no inclination to re-
sist her. And that pretty blue ribbon
on the shoulder of her white dress was SC
becoming.
Major Lukeheart forgot his boon CON-
panions, forgot his wager, forgot every.
thing but the lovely eyes and smiling,
girlish face beside him, and before the
evening was over he had popped the
question.
Miriam. sitting under the trailing
vines, with the moonlight on her fair,
young face, listened to his ardent words
with downcast eyes and blushing cheeks.
"Yes, love you" she answered, frank
", when he had finished. al am sure
that shall never love any one else halt
so wcll--"
The major leapcd to his feet, with a
CRY of rapture, and would have caught her
to his breast but she drew back.
mo. no." she said; 'you must hear
me out. love you as have said, but
| cannot consent TO become your wife un-
less you join my order" and she touched
the blue knot upon her shoulder. 81 be-
lieve in the temperance reform, and IN
tend to labor to promote it as long as |
live. A husband and wife, to be truly
happy, must be Of one heart and mind.
cannot come over 10 your way, Major,
so, if you really are in earnest, you must
come over to mine.
The Young man was little startled at
this firm stand on the part of such a
yielding, tender, womanly little creature.
He stood irresolu,c. IA hot flush rising to
his checks.
~ am not drunkard," he began,
s,ammering and embarrassed; there is
no need of all this"
perhaps not" said Miriam, her hand
claspng his arm, "but we want you over
on our side We want your influence,
Your help, the power Of your name.
When your friends hear that Major Duke
heart has Joined the good cause of tenn
pcrance and humanity. they will be in
tlucnced to do likewise
They will laugh at me for fool"
thought Dukeheart, and the girls bright
ewes read the thought in his irresolute
face. She came closer to him, so close
that her hair rippled across his shoulder,
"You are soldier and brave man,
she said, her eyes flashing. Do not fear
the ridicule OF those whom you should
labor to save. 1t is little thing | ask
you to give up for my sake; would
sacrifice much more to please you. Do
you really love me: Are we to walk
side by side and hand in hand all the
rest of our lives: Then YOU must decide
now and for all coming time. Which
will you give up, the wine or the hand of
the woman who loves you =
"I'll give up the whole world for you
he said, hoarsely, and caught her to his
heart.
She let him hold her thus minute and
then drew back, and disengaged the blue
knot from her shoulder.
May fssten it on your breast:" she
asked, looking up at him with quivering
lips and tear filed eyes.
He stopped down and kissed her.
"You have conquered me-" he said,
"Yes, fasten it on
And with shining eyes she fastened it
on his breast.
Boys, look at Dukeheart, will you:
He wears the blue badge Of the order!!"
Every man in the club-room leaped to
his feet as the major entered with the
blue ribbon in his butt on-hole.
"Dukeheart, old fellow, what does this
mean: Didn't tell you how it would
turn out: | said Miss Tolbert would re-
form. you. You've lost your wager:"
The young man smiled in his old good.
humored fashion, as these exclamations,
mingled with uproarious laughter, as
sailed him.
"Yes, boys, I've lost my wager" he
said. "Eastham's words have come true.
The woman l love has reformed me.
She would not come over to me, and |
had to 60 over to her. And now, COM
rades," he added, his fine eyes growing
misty, with tender feeling, ''how is it to
be with us: We've spent many pleas
ant hour together, but we've come to a
park in the road of life just here. Will
YOU come along with me, or must we
shake hands and part:"
They laughed at him, and he shook
hands and went his way.