Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-06-03
SAVED FROM TEMPTATIONS.

A beautiful gar,len full Of rare flowers,
aud a gill as bcautifrl as they.
But today Eunice Rays lovely face
wears cloud and the calm depths of her
blue eyes are troubled; for she IS walt
mg for her lover, and she knows that
the coming hour must decide for veal
or voc her whole future life.
Three years before, hy her dying mo
ther's side (then only girl OF hfteeh},
she had promised solemnly never TO wed
ono who was addicted to'intcmperate
habits.
When six months ago she had met
Claude Erie he had seemed everything
that was noble. The more she had seen
os hlm the more her heart had instinct
ivcly gone out 70 him, and5 ut leh8th
when he had asked for the precious boon
of her nand IN marriage. she had gwen
him, without hesitation, the answer he
eravcd.
For while the course OF their wo"lhg
had run in tue smoothest, most bllssful
ehannels, but lately shadow had come
over the brillinncy of Eunlces happy
loye-drcam. For sometime reports had
been brought to her ears of her lover
gradually growing dissipation. At hrSt
with an indignant scorn she had refused
to believe; but tto soon she had oech
forced to the conviction that what she
h6d heard had some foundation IL truth.
A step came up tho path to the VINE
wrca.hed nook where Eunlcc sat.
"Ah. here she IS My little queen III
tho midst of her subjects.
Claude dropped as he spoke, hand
ful of fragrant blossoms in her Tsp, and
then seated himself hy her side.
Then COR the first time, lie noticed the
troubled expression her face wore, ana
attrlbuting 1t to some trivial cause which
his presence would soon comfort, began
lightly to question her.
For n few moments the glrl hesltated.
AS she gazed up into his handsome,
laughing eyes, she shrank from speak
ing words which might drive hlm IN an
ger from her side. and separate her for
all time from hlnI She loved with an
intensity such nature rs hers could
feel but once. But at length she began
in n low voice, which gathered tlrmnt IS
as she went on. First she told him Of
her solemnlv uttered vow to her dying
pnrcnt. and tLen Of what she hat heard
concerning ms intemperate habits.
If YOU tel me it Is not true, Claude,
she concluded. Il Will believe You be-
yond all others. But II you cannot, |
must ask Of ygn u choose now between
your love OF VINE and your affect for
PIE for. Claude, though it ruin my life ;
happiness, | must keep N ' vow.
dark flush Of aaSul sprans TO
Claude's iace as he rose 10 his feet, ex-
cjaining:
i,"l will not say that VIVA, YOU have
heard is fal,e-I Will not tell an untruth
but what matters II i'm the soFiety OF
!o,iM friends | have once II 4 while
ovcrstepped the bounds OF sobriet.? 1t
is only what thousands do, ard think
nothing Of doing. Eunlce, l thought
Mat you loved me, but see l was mis-
t,ken.''
She laid her Land upon his arm p, nj
ingly
Il tc,.rel YOU would he angry but l
was forced T. speak as l did Oh, Claude. "
she went on, only promise me that
from this day Your }ivs will never again
touch the inehrlating cup, and we we'll
yet be SO happy.
''Sucn lukewarm love as vour every
words show will not suffice for me-" he
exclaimed. II you desire our engage
ment 10 be at an end, be 1t. will
not demtan myself TO be Lanp cred by
conditions.
Without further words he strobe
away.
The following day, without telling