The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-11-24

er died from delriun tremens, and am
sure that his SON inherts his falling"
Leonora wss but seventeen; yet although
81 young she loved with oil a womans
strength, aud she would not hear her absent
lover conde,aned.
at is despicable," she exclaimed, "to
traduce one who is not present to defend
hinselll But 1t is base to mallgn the
dead!"
Excuse me-" was Mnnes farewell
speech, "but think it only friendly to warn
you before it is too late. Do not risk be
coming drunkord's wife"
Leonora shuddcred as she listened for sbe
loved with such deyotion that she was re-
solved to marry John Harper.
Agentle zap on the door interrupted her |
revcrie AID Mrs. Harper stood by her side.
81 haye sad duty to Perform" she ex-
claimed. you can imagine how humili- !
ating il is for me to condemn my own child; |
but cannot allow you to marry my son
without informing you"
"Speak no mere!" exclaimed Leonora.
II know alll The censorious world would |
not allow me TO remain in ignorance Of the |
fault Of the man Lowell But yet will be-
come his vile! / will reclaim him AID save |
him from his fathers fate
As Leonora erased speaking John entered |
The room; he had heard her last words.
81 knew" he exclaimed, "that my dur.
ling would trust me; and she shall never
have cause to regret her devotion"
A few years passed. Leonora married
John Harper, and as yet had no cause to
regret her choice.
One fair evening she awaited her hus-
bnnd's arrival home. beautiful child sat
by her side; her long golden curls reached
to her waist, and her dark brown eyes
Leamed with intelligence.
"Mamma," she exclaimed, "wil papa
soon come home? Oh, there he isl" she
cried, as she heard footstcp.
In moment she was at the door, and
soon returned with her father.
Leonora glanced Mt her husband, but he
could not meet the calm, truthful eyes of
his wife.
The mother silently led her little child
from the room. She SOM returned; but
the happy light had faded from her face.
"JUhn," she said, "your mother called
rne your guardian angle, fer she said had
saved you from sin. She died happy: her
10 81 xv,rIe Al
by is not drunkardp We have been
married for five years, and to day, for the
inst time in my ife,I blush 10 acknowlcds,
YOU as my husband. Your eyes shine with
an unnatural lustre, and your cheek is
flushed from the effects OF drink"
"! nore, f rEivc m ! 1'rou le has eau |
me to forget my promise. am ruined
man. When settle with my creditors,
will be penni!ess."
Do not give way To despair" was tn /,
response. 81 ain rich ia my own right.
was an only child, and my father left me
all his wealth. Everything that poss, IS
is yours"
"oh. mol" was the hasty reply. :" VII
never touch penny Of your fortune; for |
know woman's nature, AMI am sure
that you would lose all respect for me if |
were to become II dependent upon yo,r
bounty. | must grouse myself, and begi
the world sgain."
"But is ii manly" she asked, "to seek
consolation from the wine cup? Do not
f,,so
require clear mind, so that you can have
strength to uert your troubles aud over
come them. You tell me-" she continued,
"that you would feel humiiated it you
wsre to accept pecuniary aid from you wife;
but are you not more degraded when you
compel me to teach our child to shun her
ldtheH This evening Blanche aid, What
is the matter with papa?' | told her that
you were ILL., she asked 10 come to you, but
had to refuse her request. My darling is
too pure aud innocent to be contaminated
10y drunken fathers caress. Oh, John"
ex 'laimed Leonora. "for the sake OF our
child be true to your promise and resist
temptahon!"
"ln future" was The reply, "you will
have no occasion to teach our child to ayo
me. Tomorrow leave the city, businr
calls me away"
Weeks passed. Leonora had not heard
from her husbandj she knew that his a1ec.
tion Tor her was sincere, and he would not
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