South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-08-11
lcoscLUpEp vRon rIxsr PAGES

eiaity, ssIgIlag him ont. and making
him the focus o. her attentioas and at
fractions. She was an overalressea, red
tipped brunette. quite ha ndsome, tboog h
ood IN hes style; and she Was not
without her eject ap0n the susceptible
nature of the yOatk- Among other
things. wine circulated freely. II Was
pressed upon Marx. He refused it.
But. Mr. Ashton, ron must really
take glass With me- said Lola Gaines,
flashing glance into his eyes tbs,
made him waver in his resolution.
am nos 10 the habit Vi taking wi No,
and do not in the isost enre Tor It,
oh. DonseDsel IL I were . man, I'D
always have jolly time. I'd smoke
| cigars. drive fast horses. and certainly
would not confine myself TO milk and
water sops,' she laughed gayly, but not
unmusically. b .tf7f5 s-F'fs - ~
She offered BIN o subtle elixir of Eat
terry, in speaking Of him as man, that
he snaclSed with the relish OF q boy but
nevertheless. he colorcd deeply at her
words.
Perhaps your brain is too weak 10
stand anything SO strong she contin-
ued, with O mocking smile. that brought
something louder from HE obseryant
companions aso w -.l-
Il am not afraid OF it. rh cH
You sre not2 Then take il in hon
! or OF my birth. / am seventeen tod y >
And she held a glass toward him, filled
with the ruby liquid. and slipped from
its fellow herself. ttI
Two or three were watching him
IZyIca tIu mil e.. A.
to burst Tito OUTLAWS Of laughter. lie
LOOK II from her hand, and tossed it off,
like an old drinker.
Bravo! cried Lola, There is some.
thing OF you after all.
Soon the wine sent his brain reeling,
and he found il impossible to maintain
an upright posture. Amid much Joking
over this breaking in OF the youngster,
Mark was carried off to bed, too much
intoxicated to realize his condition or
feel any modification thereat.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Ashton and her
daug hters returned home, fatigued with
their nights gayety. They gathered
about late breakfast table, the follow.
ing morning but Mark failed TO put in
an appearance.
Mark sleeps late, I wish you would
go and sec what is The matter with him,
Bertha said Mr.. Ashton.
She went and came, alarm depicted
on her countenanco.
lie is not in his room, nor has his
bed heon occupied
Where can he be?' -
Poor Mrs. Ashton tremb!ed with fear
and excitement; for, in spite Of her, weak
pride in her daughters, her son had
very warm place in her heart. Before
further search for him was begun. the
truans entered and took his accustom-
ed seat.
why, ny boy, you gave us thor
ough scare. Where have you been?
Il wasn't very well, so | remained o.
YER night with a friend who invited me
to spend the evening with him.
Ills accents were low, and his glance
faltering. His face was pale also.
Are you better this mornins?'
ON, certainly, am quito WELL
hope you managed TO enjoy your
self last night continued Mrs. Ashton
Tho thought OF you dwell upon my mind
unaccountably, L was not able 10 rid i,
Of YOU
How stransen said Mark. There
was the least bit OF sarcasm in the
words. but it passed UNDECIDED.
Il am sorry | was such hobgoblin
to you, mother
Mrs. Ashton smiled.
Not so bad as that, only a weight
Mark having taken one step down the
ladder, it was easier to take another.
Night after night found him at Bob
Gaines's. The girl Lola became his in.
fatuation. Some form of alcoholic
temptation was always on hand there,
and Mark grew more ready 10 yield to
it. Vino tailed TO satisfy his incrcas
ing appetite for stimulants. Intoxica.
ton became quite common occurrence.
IL was grief and modification o his
family, when they came to know where
his evenings were spent. There were
Years, remonstrances and recriminations
In abundance; but recriminalions never
yet helped any body heavenwarl.
Mark went on from bad TO worse.
Some times, it is true, he made al effort
TO reform but his home friends failed
TO comprehend their duties TO him. or to
understand what power lies in the small
amenities OF life. They failed to devote
tue time and sympathizing attentions
chat so win upon the soul One in
stance, counterpart of many Others,
will suffice TO show what we mean, Up
on one occasion after milking q COOL
resolution. he brought ont his checker
board, and with smile asked Bertha if
sue wouldn't have game.
Il am so busy, Mark ask Corn, She
has plenty Of time lie appealed to Co.
ra, but Cora was moro ungracious still
in her refusal
NO. will not. am just Flushing
delightful story and think YOU arc
downright selfish 10 want me to spend
my evening. yawning over that Gotesta-
bic old checkerbonrd. Bertha il no
more busy than am, and hor head
bent again over the fascinating pages