Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1881-09-22
MARCIA ARNOLD.

The town of r., in the state Of
O.. Is distant twenty-five miles from
the well known city Of c., and being
n beautiful village, Is much patronized
Wy tho wealthy residents OF the neigh
boring city as summer home. IL is
not merely q place of pleasant but
transient resort. but many metro
politan families have permanently
located there. having erected ele-
giant mansions and established
themselves IA residents. the hus-
bands. fathers. brothers and sons
Going daily 90 and fro in the i'm
tcrcsts OF business. OF course more or
less intercourse with the villagers
would ensue, and as church and social
relations were developed by time,
friendly ties were woven and many
friendships cemented between the
lOwns-peOplc and their city acquaint-
ances. II was In this way that Marcia
Arnold. the acknowledged belle of r.,
met and won the attention of Roger
Earle Marcia was sensible, hand
some, conscientious girl. Shehad new
er been knOwl 10 do n mean thing i'm
herlife. AS little girl, she was the
prime fayOrite with both teachers and
scholars. bright. ready pupil, just
arbitress i'm all childish disputes. gen.
cr0us and affectionate. she was loved
by all her mates without a pang Of
jealousy; and as the years threw the
mantle Of grace over the young form,
tho love remained undiminished. Self.
consciousness snd vanity were utterly
foreign To- Marcias nature. ResOlutely
on the side OF right, hers would be n
leading mno In all stations Of life;
and when / add that Marcia's father
was one Of the pote ltates of our viii
llge. you may well think that we re-
garded her as u nc mate for any man,
however proud and naughty and satu-
rated with aristOcratic ideas.
Roger Earle met her q year or two
previous 90 the temperance excitement.
Judge Earle. n cultivated and stately
gentleman Cf the old school. Chester
dcldian style hal retired from business
cares. and for five years had resided I'm
our pretty town. Part Of this time
Roger had spent pursuing his studies
a, a distant college; one year abroad
succeeded this. and then our curiosity
expected heir of "MOntrOse Hail." as
ludgc Enrles' residence was termed.
'COurlly and distinguished was the
universal verdict. and when the Judge
brew wide his hospitable doors and
invited his friends and neighbors 10 re.
iOice with him that his only son had
returned-foi brothers and sisters
thorC were none in this elegant home
md the dear wife had long ago been
aid away under the brown earth-then
there was delightful ripple in our
village life till the anticipated evening
no last arrived. It was within the
luxurious walls of his own home that
Roger first met Marcia We saw his
lark eyes following her perfect figure
in admiration of its beauty; we saw,
after the formula Of an introduction,
lhe fascination that charmed him and
pcrforce compelled him to linger by
her side we saw his arm offered when
The signal for refreshments was given
and I. who sat near at the glittering.
silver.lOadcd table. noted the look OF
pain that lifted over her beautiful
face as her youthful host slipped from
delightful glass the ruddy flame Of O
rare Italian wine. "No," she replied
when nc pressed her TO partake of the
bright AMI costly liquid; IL have YET
90 taste the Grst drop Of aught that
Conduces 90 mans misery and frequent
ruin" Rogers face flushed deeply
hut naught else betrayed the emotion
her reply had stirred. And from tha
hour he had persistently sought her
while we humber and palmer girli
had no idea Of disputing her chic
right 90 his admiration, and were Meth
or surprised nor enviOus when w
found his attentions solely hers
Marcia's cheeks would flush and he
lustious eyes shine with added brillianc
10 his approach, and yet she evidentl,
avoided him just a little. Why. W
did not know. for we never bantere,
her or tested upon the subject, our es
teom for her was too thorough TO
that. | alone suspected-it was only
suspicion-that the memory Of tina
wine cup. with its sparkling, rudd
vintagel filed her with a nameles
dread Of the man she loved. ha
guessed that, tOO-her changing colo
had revealed much to me.
How all this would culminate Oft
en- wondered. but in the midst OF on
quiet calm. murmurs of the advancin
temperance tidal wave, of the "Mur
ply Movement" reached us, and i'm
few days thereafter the town was cleo
trined 10y the advent of an eloquen
pleader In the temperance cause
Evening after evening TIE spaciou
town hall was crowded TO its utmOs
capacity People laughed and wen
Us the "roll Of honor" heightened. Ye
there were many who. proud and sci
sufficient. held back, among these wa
Roger.
Timidity had prevented rsany of IN
younger ladies' from going forward
and still others waited Marcia's Lead
among the number, for when discus,
ing The question in our little circle. sh
had said. I'VE will all 90 together. girl
before Tho meetings are over" so "
were rs YET bat quiet gazers.
Roger, strengthened by Marcia's a,
parent Indifference. also sundrv 9th,
youns gentlemen who had been a
tracied by the humber merits of so,r
memOcrs Of our little colerie resisss
au pleas. and frequently indulged
lsh' remarks concerning the Meth
distic fervor OF 0ur Murphy friend.
AZ last, ono unexpected day. min
teen white Bullets were privatelv eI
culatcd, and each receiving Young In,
read the following: MARCIA Arno
desires tho pleasure Of your compal