The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-04-12
WI y SHE NEVER DRANK WINE.

SnOS0-idCSu "oHldI, Win large, loving
eyes, ''you must wear that rose-colored
brocade 1t is just the rage now, and
your hair will trim beautifully. | am so
glad " are to have plenty of howers.r
Hele n Brevton was just from school,
where she had been since she was ten
years old Of course she knew little Of
life, but her father was wealthy man,
and her dream of everything splendid y
was abput to be realized. Aunt Agatha
was her mothers sister, scholarly wo-
man OF whom she knew little, save that
she was little eccentric, giving away
nearly hll her income and never so much
as touching wine.
Mrs. Breyton leaned back in her luxu-
rious chair, and rested her eyes with a
mother delight on Helen's face
''lfw E have wine, Aunt agatha cannot
come, va, said slowly
"Ca1 1not. why so?" With Ahrug of
her pretty shoulders "$he will not be
obliged to taste it,
Mrs. Brevton beat her satin-slippered
foot against the Persian carpet 1t was
question she could not decide. Mr.
Brevton had given her carte Wanche He
had not time to attend to it. he said In
calling in Agatha she had not thought of
wine. With exquisite taste and wonder
full tact in arrangement,her services would
be lnva liable. All the morning she had
been trying to persuade the really ele-
CANT woman to consider this as an excep-
tional chse Not that she herself cared
for it, neither did Mr. Breyton But
what would people say? Mrs. Breyton
was not one with the moral courage to
oppose Mrs. Grundy. She could not en-
dure tc be called shabby, especially when
the money in hand would enable her to
be profuse.
All t be while Helen stood at the back
Of Aunt Agathas chair talking OF the
pink and silver brocade. IN obpdv will
know il was ever worn. | am sure it will
never show q seam
A servant entered, liearins silver
waiter, and on it d small carl. Helen
coIored, and Mrs. BreytJn excused her
self, ark went down TO the paror
'Do you say YOU Will not mind this
time, Auntie:H plead Helen.
And thus break my promise y
Did you promise. Anntie, never 50
much al to drink drop?'
Il promised never 50 much as to drink
drop neither woulil Stand by and see
another drink
"Th4t is going alittle too far think,
Auntiel If another drinks It will not hurt
US"
Il am not sure. returned AuntgAgatha
Who's card was that Dick brought
in"
Henry Fargo's, T answered Helen, with
Il henry Fargo should drink wine to
exceS would it not hurt you =
80. Auntie. he never could,' with a
face fro IN which all color had fled
III | have been rightly informed, one
Of his brothers died a drunkard," per-
sisted Agatha Fleming.
That was Viii he was always a little
wild Went to San Francisco, spent a
good deal, and drank to drown his
trouble,' was Helen's answer
The Fargos lived in the same square
In the Vacations Helen had seen good
deal of Henry, and learned through him
ofWiiFs wanderings, Bat she did not
connect it with wine; the latter was a
mere q tcident He drank to drown his
troubIe>
Inc expression OF Agatha r iemlng ;
face grew tender, tears filled her eyes.
1t was favorable moment to say to
Helen bill there was in her heart to say
why she should not touch wine
eYoa have heard YOUR mother speak of
Herbert Wyeburn = turning her gaze
full upon the young girl
"Yotr friend or flame, l don't know
which, returned Helen. with all her
usual vivacity. Yes"
"My friend, as Henry Fargo is yours.
We liz ed in the same square, and we
/ loved each other with love that grew
! stronger as we grew older. Herbert
went to college. He was grandly gifted.
] But he learned TO take wine: it made him
brilliant. The head ofhis class, he was,
! likewise, the master Of oratory But he
could not speak without his glass; then
it required mere-one, two, three at a
time His manner was no longer the
same at one time wild and capricious,
at another tim gloomy and morose.
expost nlated He was angry and up
braided me- The next hour he was ready
to beg my pardon, aud | forgave him.
OF course he would never again give way.
Thus it went on until he was ready to
establish himself 10 business, and / was
;; looking forward 70 becoming happy
bride. One night there vas quarrel, in
which Herbert struck brother lawyer,
and himself received a fatal stab in re-
turn They had been drinking to excess,
but when | reached Herbert he was
rational. Never shall forget his face
as he said: ''The doctor says must die
If had never tasted wine, Agatha, this
would not have been
9Th ey had not told me that the wound
was ia tai Iburiel rly face in the pillow
and sobbed outright. In that moment
/ would gladly have given my own life
could ! By that means save Herbert
My agony made him worse. They took
| me from him, and only permitted me tc
return when / promised to command
myself When entered the room, Her
bert " as lying with his eyes shut. As
approached, | saw that his lips moved.
Was be praying :? tried to think so, fol
had been brought mp to think it was Z
dreadful thing to die without an interest
in Christ. As kneeled by his bedside
he put out his hand.
81 have asked God to make it easy
for you, Agatha. You warned me againsl
drink bnt did not see the danger
Now must die But You will think o.
me sometimes, and thinking Of me, you
will not fail to warn Others against wine.
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