The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-05-09

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hour later my door opened softly and
Ada came in and threw herself down
on the side of the bed, murmuring
sadly:
"Oh, Aunt Sophie, it is just as I
feared; Charley has been drinking.
He led him into temptation, and will
never be satisfied until he leads him
on to ruin. He came to the door
with Charley. l saw him waiting
outside, thinking, perhaps, to hear
my reproaches and my grief. Like
the Indian at the stake, however, l
suppressed all"
"You have acted wisely, dear
Ada !" l replied soothingIy; "but
don't despair yet. He has only Just
entered upon the downward path.
and you can save hlm, if any earthly
power can"
VI wish | could think So" she re.
turned. "But if you had only known
my anguish when he entered the
room an hour ago. He has never
tampered with intoxicating liquors.
and a little has sutliced to overthrow
him completely"
For long time she mournpd thus:
then she recOllected her determine
tion of the day aud arose in firm hope.
Poor Ada! l could appreciate her
agony.
Not one word Of reproach to her
husband came from Ada's lips the
next day, With smiling face and
cheerful words she greeted him on
every occasion, and would have seem.
ed the most Suuny-hearted or aturp
in the world to a casual observer. 1t
was not a business day with him,
therefore he had no occasion to leave
home. | rose from the tea table first,
and, as | passed up the stairs, glanced
into Ada's sitting room. Everything
was arranged as only Ada's hand
could have arranged it neatly and
gracefully. l understood the tender
care she had employed, and hoped
that the loving wife would receive
her reward.
They came up together a few mo-
ments later, and since my door was
ajar l could hear every word. Ada
opened her elegant melodeOn and
proposed music. Charley hesitated,
and at length told her that he had
promised him-the man of whom I
have spoken-tO meet him down
There was a short pause, "CharIey,"
Ada's voice was ng-''I know
well what he wants. Twice now has
he led you into temptation. viii you
bIindly follow him again ?"
"You are unjust to him." said
Charley loflily.
mo, Charley, 1 am not unjust. But
would my love for you be love, in
deed, if | were silent when you are
on the road to ruin ?"
1t was a hard struggle. Ada plead
ed with all the earnestness Of true
woman'5 love, and prevailed al
length, for l heard him say:
"Ada, my noble wife, with heav-
ems help and yours, l will never 90
astray again."
There were sleeplesS eyes and hap
py hearts in Ada's home that night.
Months passed away, and Charley,
awakened to full sense Of his dan
ger, succeeded in withdrawing him
self wholly from the subtle web that
the tempter was weaving around
him. One evening in Decem Der we
three were gathered in the sitting
room. | sat in the lamp light sewing,
Charley in his luxurious armchair
reading the daiies, and Ada stood
by the window, absentIy gazing down
into the street. Suddenly an eXCla'
nation of surprise and astUniShmen'
burst from her lips, and both of Us
arose and joined her. Passing, OF
rather staggering along the streets
under the full blaze of the gaslight
was Charles Melb0urne's tempter
deeply intoxicated, looking the Wrecl
of what he might once have been,
Charley looked down at him will
pale face until he had passed from
view, then placed his hand on Ada
head, and exclaimed with emotion
Ada, my noble wife, | owe IN.
recovery from that threatened ruin t.
you"
"And that man, Aunt Sophie,
asked Georgia, with interest, "Wh
was he, and is he still living ?"
"TlIat man, my dear niece, is LOui
HOwew
"Oh, Aunt Sophie !" The blue eye
had look of sudden fright then he
face flushed haughtily. ut is enoug
l know what answer to give hir
now"
The npyt mOrninO whom Mr. How