The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-04-27
SAVED FROM TEMPTATION.

wears a cloud, and the calm depths OF
her blue eyes are troubled; for she is
waiting for her lover snd she knows
that the coming hour must decide for
veal or woe her whole future life.
Three years before, by her dying
mothers side 0hen only girl of tif-
teen), she had promised solemnly never
to wed one who was addicted to intem-
perate habits.
When six months ago she had met
| Claude 4te- had soomed everything
that was noble. The more she had seen
of him the more her heart had instinct
lively gone out to him, and at length
when he had asked for the precious boon
of her hand in marriage, she had given
| him, without hesitation, the answer he
craved.
For a while the course of their wooing
had run in the smoothest, most blissful
of channels; but lately shadow had
come over the brilliancy of Eunice's
happy love-dream. For some time re-
ports had been brought to her ears of
her lovers gradually growing dissipa-
ton. At first with an indignant scorn
she had refused to believe; but too soon
she had been forced to the conviction
that what she had heard had some foun-
dation in truth
A step came up the path to the vine
wreathed nook where Eunice sat.
''Ah, here she is! My little queen in
the midst of her subjects
Claude dropped, as he spoke, a hand
full of fragrant blossoms in her lap, and
then seated himself by her side.
Then for the first time, he noticed the
troubled expression her face wore, and
attributiHg it to some trivial cause which
his presence would soon comfort, began
lightly to question her.
For a few moments the girl hesitated.
AS she gazed up into his handsome,
laughing eyes, she shrank from speak
ing words which might drive him in
for all time from him. She loved with
an intensity such d nature like hers
could feel but once. But at length she
began in low voice, which gathered
firmness as she went on. First she told
him of her solemnly uttered VOW to her
dying parent, and then of what she had
heard concerning his Incorporate habits.
''if you tell me it is not true, Claude"
she concluded, i will believe you be-
yond all others. But if you cannot, l
must ask of you to choose now between
four love of wine and your affection for
me; for, Claude, though it ruin my life's
happiness, must keep my VOW"
A dark flush of anger sprang to
Claudes face as he rose to his feet, ex-
claiming:
II will not say that what you have
heard is false--I will not tell an untruth
but what matters it if in the society OF
iovial friends have once in o while
overstepped the bounds of sObriety? 1t
is only what thousands do, and think
nothing of doing. Eunice, l thought
that you loved me, but l sec was mis-
taken"
She laid her hand upon his arm plead
ingly.
II feared you would be angry, but 1
was forced to speak as l did. Oh,
Claude" she went on, ''only promise
me that from this day your lips will
| never again touch the inebriating cup,
and we will yet be so happy.
He flung off her hand with scornful
laugh.
'Such lukewarm love as your every
word shows will not suffice for mew he
exclaimed. "lf you desire our engage
ment to be at an end, SO be it. l will
not demean myself to be .hampered by
conditions"
Without further words he strobe
away.
The following day, without telling
anyone of his plans, Claude Erie left the
village.
Three years rolled away, years which
had sadly changed the tenor of Eunice
| e. o..
suddenly down in the prime of his life,
had died. leaving his young, daughter
alone in the wide world, and not only
alone, but poor.
| After a time she succeeded in obtain
ing employment through turning to use
her facility in the dainty art of design
ing.
Her lovely refined face and lady-like
unassuming ways soon attracted the in
terested notice of her employer; and
what he learned upon enquiry concern
ing her only increased that interest.
Mr.. Grey and his worthy wife lived
all alone in a stately, childless home.
They were noted for their benevolent &C.
centricities, and as such their ster
was set down to be by their friends,
when they asked Eunice to make hel
home with them.
AS may be surmised, the lonely girl
accepted the cordial invitation extended
to her with a breast swelling with graft
tude.
She had been with her kind friends
about a year when one evening, Mr.
Grey said, as he rose from the dinner.
table:
"Wife, would like you and Miss Ray
to be. ready in couple of hours to &C
company me to lecture. lam acquaint
ed with the lecturer, and in him the de-
mon of intemperance has one Of hi
strongest adversaries. took tickets,
knowing your sympathy with the cause
and that you could not fail to be inter
ested."
They went. The room was thronged
At the time appointed the lecturer
made his appearance.
Eunice had expected to see a gentle
man somewhat advanced in years; bu
instead tall, slight, youthful figure
stood upon the platform. With an un
controllable start the girl recognised il
the lecturer, whose rich eloquent tones
were already enchanting the attention O
that large cultivated audience, the love-
who had gone from her in anger foul
years ago.
| flv,o aap,n E,aEovr hon r1xos, orl u.