Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-02-06

Wns HI shfv NM that Marcia
uell, the acknowledged belle 81
MI md VA, III atteritions Of
css5s Mazcia was asensibls,
|h1n 1oen4, ccnscientiou I'LL. She
M nsysr been known 70 do !
mean thing il her liz. Al . little
,3irl ~ - tho prime favorite with
18TH teschers and scholars; ! bright
ssady pupil, J just arbitress il all
childish disputes, generous and a.
ectionate, che was loved BY all her
mats withoutA pang Of jealousy;
and y the years threw the mantle Of
grace over her young form, the love
remained undiminished. 6elfcon-
seriousness md vanity were utterly
foreign % Marcia's nature. Reso
lutsly on the side Of right, hers would
b ! leading mind TO I'll stations Of
life; and when ] add that Marcia's
fsther w. one Of the potentates Of
our village, you may we'll think we
regarded her ~ . fit mate for any
man, however proud and naughty,
and saturated with aristocratic ideas.
Roger Earle met her . year or two
previous 70 the Temperance excite
ment. Judge Earle, ! cultivated
and stately gentleman Of the old
school, Chesterfieldian style, had
EsSftrsd from business cares, and Tor
4y sssfasdf III Uua prusty
town. Part of this time Roger had
spent pursuing his studies at q dis
tant college; one year abroad sue
ceeded this; and then our curiosity
was gratified BY . sight Of the long
expected heir Of "Montrose Hall" as
Judge Earle's residence was called.
"Courtly and distinguished" was
the universal verdict: aud when the
Judge threw open his hospitable
doors, and invited his friends and
neighbour to rejoice with him that
his only son had returned, - for
brothers and sisters there were none
in this elegant home, and the dear
wife had long ago been lain away
under the brown earth,-then there
was . delightful ripple in our village
life, till the anticipated evening
at last arrived.
II was within the luxurious walls
Of his own home that Roger first met
Marcia We saw his dark eyes fol-
low her perfect figure in admiration
Of il perfect beauty; we saw. after
the formula Of an introduction, the
fascination that charmed him, and
per force compelled him to linger at
her side; We saw his arm offered as
the signal for refreshments was Civ
en-, and ! who sat near at the glitter
ing silver-loaded table, noted the
look Of pain that fitted across her
beautiful lace as her youthful host
slipped from q delicate glass the fame
of q rare Italian wine.
NO." she replied, when he pressed
her to partake Of the bright, costly
liquid,..I have yet 70 taste the first
drop OF aught that conduces to mans
misery and frequent ruin"
Rogers face flushed deeply, but
Daught else betrayed the emotion
her reply had stirred. And from
that hour he had persistently sought
her, while we humber and palmer
girls had no idea Of disputing her
chief right TO his admiration. and
were neither surprised nor envious
when we found his attentions solely
hers.
MarciA's cheeks would flush and
her lustrious eyes shine with
added brilliancy at his approach,
and yet she evidently avoided him
Just . little. Why, we did not know,
for We never bantered her or TESTED
upon the subject-our esteem fol
her was too thorough for that.
Alone suspected-it was only . sus.
picion-that the memory Of thai
wine-cup with ito sparkling, ruddy
vintage, filled her with q nameless
dread Of the man she loved. / had
guessed that, too-her changing col
or had revealed much to me.
How all this would eliminate
often wondered, but in the midst 81
our quiet calm, murmurs Of the adv
ancing temperance tidal wave Of the
"Murphey Movement" reached us
and in . few days thereafter oul
town was electrified by the advent
Of eloquent pleader in the temperance
cause.
Evening after evening the spacious
town hall was crowded 70 it, utmost
capacity. People laughed and weni
= the aron Of honor" heightened
Yet there we're many who, proud