The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-10-06
A BITTER TEST.


eloaming on that March evening, hold
ing letter in her hand; letter from
Lee Annes. which told her of his love
and asked her for her own; which told
her, too, that for month sbe would not
see him; but, when April showers had
ceased to fall. he would be, able 10 come
to her and get her answer. Meanwhile
he asked no word, no sign, only kindly
remembrance, snd close reading Of her
own heart, that would leave no doubt
there when she gave him reply.
Perhaps IL was trifie- coB6dent and
mastertul in tone, but Jesse Dale did no,
notice that. 1t bad made her very hap
lpV.
A step broke her reverie, and thrust.
ing The letter in her bosom she looked
lup. 1t was Charley. her impusive, hot.
headed brother, who was one Of hel
idols.
"Jesse!"
"Here, Charley do you want me"
IL want you; yes"
Her brothers voice had something in
it which msde her heart chill an instan,
as she left her seat and went 10 him.
Charley" laying very tender hand
on his shoulder, "you have broken youl
promise you have been drinking"
"Only glass or two with Vennor -
Pshaw! I'm no baby, Jessie, and had
to drink 1t or I'd never have had the
courage 10 come to you on such an er'
rand as do"
ALI tender light CT happiness dice
from the girls sweet face.
"Some,hing has happened ?" she ask
ed. "Tell me at once, dear. It can no
be very terrible, for you are we'll, an(
mamma and papa"
He did not know how her thoughti
flew to another, who was more than XIII
to her; but, taking her hand in his, tb'
boy be was barely twenty-led her t.
the seat she had left and placed her in it
You know how many times yol
warned me against associating with Bol
Vennor, JESSIE" he began, his voic
slightly tremulous.
81 know, dear. am sure he will leat
YOU into wrong. He is nota gopd man
Cbarlsy. and you we're better before yol
met him"
The poor fellow burst into suddel
wild sobs. 50 wild as to frighten her.
"Don't, my darling; Cuarley, don't!'
she cried, finging her arms about BIZ
neck and holding his head to her bosom
l"Ob, what is it2 never saw you lool
like this, Charley tell me all about j
and may be able to help your"
"I-I'd rather die T. he burst out, "an(
I would die II that would set thing!
straight. He would have no mercy OF
= on them. They have borne with sv
erything from mel know now what
curse have been to you all, but m,
heart broke when l knew what sorrnv
and even shame was to come to then
yet through their only son! Oh, J.s
sic, il l had died in nv cradle the,
might have been spared all this!'
"Charley, what are you sayingf Thi
is terrible! / do not understand, but i
Is something Terrible.
at is just this, Jessie. One night
few weeks ago-you remember how il
| was af,erward-I was With Vennor sn'
some Of his friends. They were yer.
gay, and we had champasne-plenty o
it. don't remember anything after th
first few hours, and walked up in th
morning in Vennor's rooms with blind
ing headache. promised you afie
that that l would not drink, and | di
not-till tonight. Tonight Venno
sent for me, and I went to see what
wanted. Oh. Jessie! I'd rather di
than tell you :"
Tell me, Charley"
"He showed me q check-a forge
check, sister for $4,000. which he tol
me had given him that night in pay
|, ment OF gambling debt. remembe
seeing cards and dice, but do not recol
lect touching them. He says playe
and lost. He tells me his friends wi
swear l gave the check, ani l canno
swear did not. The name Is that {
the head of our firm, Jacob Stone.
am a felon, Jessie ! am doomed; "
are all doomed unless you will save us
"Ip she shrank, trembling violently
81 have moi the money; AN but girl
How very gladly l would help you, yo
must know. my darling. Oh, what hav
you done, Charley ?"
"What cannot undo," he cried; the
desperately, "Jessie, he says be love
you. He will spare US If you will bt
come his wife,"
. "Oh, my Godw 1t was the cry Q
one stricken to death. His wife! Bo
Vennor's wife! She had shrunk frou
touching bis hand. She feared and hs
ted him. and over her young heart la
the letter Of one she loved.
"Jessie, I have not asked it Of you,
the boy exclaimed. ~ do not ask it
but it is the only way"
oh, had be asked my life-ever
, drop of blood in my veins-I could mor
readily have granted it," went shudder
ingly through her mind; her arms fe
from her brothers neck; her face wa
white as it would be in its coffin; bu
thoughts thronged to her thick and fas
while Charley bowed his head and shoe
with his sobs.
;. She knew what she could avert; kne'
that such blow would.u,terly crush he
father and smite her gentle mother 1
death then Charley-how could she sa
her young brother take his place anon
felons2
1t was a terrible struggle If q sboI
one.
SIT is my own life am sacrificing,
she thought. 81 will pray to die whe
| l have saved them, and God will hes
my prayer.s
She lifted her boys head and laid be
cold lips on his burning forehead.
"Cbsrley," she said, family, IL thin
you would do it for me. l will save YOU
my darling. When will he"
The boy sprang up with a cry OF BIZ
teruess.
II will not stand it! / will kill hir
first !" he cried. But she drew him bac
and Gained him.
"He will come to night" Charley tol
her presently, through meeting teeth.-
J ale gave me little time, sister,"
i IL will see him when he comes," wa
ail she said, and then she bade her broth