Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-06-06
SAVED FROM HIMSELF.

| ing hour must decide tor wesl or woe her
whole future life.
Three years before, by her dying moth
er's side C.hen only girl of fifteen), she
had promised solemnly never TO wed one
who was addicted to Incorporate habits.
When six months ago she bad met Claud
Erie he had seemed everything that was
noble. The more she had seen of him the
more her heart had irstinctively gone out
to him, and at length when he had asked
| for the precious boon of her hand IN mar.
rage she had given him without hesitation
| the answer he craved.
For while the course of their wooipg
had run in the smoothest, most blissful OF
channels, but lately shadow had come
over the brilliancy of Euniee's happy love.
dream. For some time reports had been
| brought to her ears of her lovers gradually
growing dissipation. At first with an in
dignant scorn she had refused to believe
but too soon she had been forced to the
conviction that what she had heard had
some foundation in truth.
A step came up the path to where Eu'
nice sat.
"Ah, here she isl My little queen in
the mids. of her subjects. !"
Claude dropped, - he spoke, handful
of fragrant blossoms in her lap, and then
seated himself by her side.
| Then, for the first time, ne noticed the
troubled expression her face wore, and at
tributing it to some trivial cause, which his
presence would soon comfort, began lightly
to question her.
For few moments the girl hesitated.
As she gazed up into his handsome,
| laughing eyes, she shrank from speaking
words which might drive him in anger
from her side, and separate her for all time
from him. She loved with an intensity
such as nature like hers could feel but
once. But at length she began in low
voice, which gathered frmness 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 in
temperate habits.
A dark flush of anger sprang to Claude's
face as he rose to his feet, exclaiming, g.
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 jovial friends
| have once in while oyerstepped the
bounds of sobriety? Eunice, thought
that you loved me, but see l was mis-
taken"
Eunice's face grew very pale as she
listened to the torrent of passionate words
bis wounded pride had dictated.
She laid her soft hand upon his arm
plsadingly.
~ feared you would be angry, but was
forced to speak as l did. On, Claude, "
she went on, "only promise me that
He flung off her hand with a scornful
laugh.
"Such lukewarm love as yours will moi
suffice for u" he exclaimed.
Without further words ne strode away,
Hidden as she was by the screening TO
| liage, Eunice had no need to fear pryine
eyes. With pathetic cry she covered hel
face with her slender fingers and sank upoI
the ground.
sob, mother" she murmured, {" have
obeyed your wishes, but have broken my
own hearth
The following day Claude Erie left the
village.
Three years rolled away, years which
had sadly changed the tenor of Eunic'
Rays life. Her loving father, stricken
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.
Too proud to be dependent upon oil
pitied by her friends, Eunice had left the
home where she had been horn and which
she had loved so we'll
After time she succeeded in obtaining
employment through turning to use bel
facility in the dainty art of designing.
Her lovely, refined face and lady-like
unassuming ways soon attracted the inter
ested notice OF her employer; and what ht
learned upon inquiry concerning her only
increased that interest.
Mr.. Gray and his worthy wife lived al
alone in a stately home. They were noted
for their benevolent eccentricities, and a.
such their step was set down to be by
their friends when they asked Eunice tt
make her home with them.
She had been with her kind friends
about year, when, one evening, MIR
Gray said, as he rose from the dinner
table, aWife, would like you and Mis-
Ray to be ready in couple of hours &
accompany me to lecture. l am &C
quainted with the lecturer, and in him in
temperance has strong adversary"
Eunice had expected to see gentleman
somewhat advanced in years but instead
tall, slight. youthful figure stood upol
platform. With an uncomfortable star
the girl recognized in the lecturer, who's
rich, eloquent tones were already enchain
ing the attention of that large, cultivated
audience, the lover who had gone from he
in anger four years ago.
When it was over, Eunice found tina
though she had not met his glance, Claud
had seen and recognized her.
| cordial hand oh from Mr.
Grey and his wife, Claude turned TO thei
young companion, exclaiming, "This
truly most delightful surprise ! did no
expect to meet an old friend here tonight
Miss Ray, if you will permit me, [ woul
like to accompany you home. There is n
enjoyment SO great as talking over bygon
: days."
That evening Mr.. Grey's drawing rooI
witnessed scene of happy reunion as, ur
rebuked, Claude clasped his recovere
treasure to his heart.
"Euuice, he said, after while, /" th
anger with which l left your presence wa
. short. lived. When it claimed / though
, over your words; and though they wounde
my pride, 1 could not help but see tbs
they were only just and right. dete
: mined then to do as you had asked me bJ
until time had proved the reality of m
reformation, would net return to yoI
When returned to your home to plead fc
my old position in your love and esteem,
found you gone-where l could not lear
J But, my darling. we will think of the pa
no longer, but of the bright future in whic
we may live together
Eunice did not reply in words. but b.
little hand sought and found its refuge
his clasp.
!. The largest block Of stone ever tran
0 ported. not excepting those in the Chimes