Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-08-22
For the MONITOR.
Henry AshtOn's Vows.

moonlight, which rested upon the lawn
the dew-decked flowers, and gilded the
fountain with sparkling silver. In an
open window of pleasant residence
lovely girl stood gazing upon the scene,
without apparently comprehending its
beauty. She was absorbed in thoughts
relating to her present happiness and flu
ture veal or woe. After time a look
of great decision stole upon her face,
and it seemed that she had found an an
swer in her own mind to the perplexing
question that had absorbed her thoughts.
Just then a young man entered the
room with an air of perfect freedom, as
one familiar with the place and expect
ing hearty welcome. He was of noble
mien and intellectual features, but there
was the unmistakable evidence of dissl-
patton on his face. Henry Ashton was
naturally gifted, with great possibilities
before him. People said of him, "He
will make his mark; to be sure, little
reckless now, but his wild oats must be
sown, when he will come out into the
ground of noble manhood"
Henry exchanged cordial greeting
with Marion Grey, the young lady before
mentioned, and invited her to come
without, to spend few moments on the
lawn in front of the residence. They
sat down in a favorite seat beside the
fountain, when after few words of COM
monplace remark, Henry said:
"Miss Marion, have come for my
answer; have waited some days for my
answer. What is it, yes,or no?"
Before answer your question, Hen
ry, l wish to speak to you plainly, and
hope you will not be offended at my
remarks. Will you promise this ?'
81 promise; speak freely and frankly"
"Well then, l have"-she hesitated
while her cheeks crimsoned and her
voice faltered-"I hardly know how to
begin. | have heard that you are some
what dissipated, that you have been in
toxicated, and l cannot place my life
and destiny in the keeping of one who
is liable to become drunkard. Pardon
my plain speaking, but marriage is
solemn thing, and much as l respect.
yes, love you, l cannot consent to give
you my hand until l am convinced that
you have entirely reformed
"Fear nothing, Marion replied Hen
ry. "I have not tasted liquor for the
last month, and if l am able to refrain
for month, hope to forever. Until
of late, you will remember, I have not
had the influence of your noble spirit to
hold me in the path of rectitude and to
lift me above the temptations of life.
You shall be my guardian angel. |
promise you most sacredly, that from
this time henceforth l will never touch
nor taste liquor"
"Will you VOW before God that you
will not % asked Marion.
81 solemnly VOW before Heaven that.
God helping me, l will keep this pledge
sacred"
A look of nnutterable joy spread over
Marion's countenance at the fervency
with which her lover had made his SOL
emn promises.
Just then dark cloud obscured the
moon, and out upon the quiet hush of
the evening came the low, plaintive
strains of harp, sad as the wall of
lost spirit. Marion shivered. and drew
her shawl closer about her; something
in the strains of music seemed to awaken
dark foreboding in her heart. Was it
an omen of coming evil? Such a
thought passed through her mind, but
as she looked up into the dark, earnest
eyes beaming so lovingly down upon
her, every doubt vanished. The intox-
icating dream of love held her in its be-
wildering grasp, and she murmured to
herself, II can trust him."
If Marion could only have pushed
aside the vail that hides the future, her
peace of mind, her earnest trust, would
have fed forever. Perhaps it was as
we'll. Perhaps she needed to be tried
in the furnace of af1iction that she mi ght
be purified.
Music rose and fell upon the air, fra
grant with myriads of flowers; bright
eyes shone brighter than the gems that
adorned the beautiful women who graced
the festive scene; all was mirth, Joy
and laughter. 1t was the wedding of
Henry Ashton and Marion Grey. He
moved among the guests triumphant.
She, in her cleaning robes. looked rare,
pure and fair; the light of great hap
piness was in her eyes. But, alas for
human happiness! THE trail of the
serpent was over all" even then his
deadly fangs were emitting their poison
GUS venom. Marion had petitioned her
father to abolish wine from the table for
that night, at least, but he had answer
ed her rather testify;