The Monitor., 1886-12-03

much trouble. just wanted the fan Of
seeing Donald's boasts about his wife
come to nothing"
Donalds eyes flashed fire at this speech.
He half-rose from his chair, but sat down
again, evidently putting strong restraint
upon himself
Mary looked at Lawrie in surprise as he
spoke, and smiled family, apparently
thinking reply unnecessary. But Don
aid spoke up suddenly:
Speak out, Molly, and satisfy the fell
low. What does make you so willing to
do anything that your wild Donald asks of
you %
Mary flushed painfully at his words.
She had been brought up in a simple faith,
wherein all evasion is considered lie A
question put directly to her she felt COM
PEELED to answer truly, whether it should
occasion pleasure or anger.
1t was the first time Donald had asked
her such question, and he watched her
face cxpectantly, thinking to hear an an-
swer pleasing to his self-love.
Mary's reply came upon him like thun-
derbolt i'll a cloudless sky.
In her embarrassment at having to give
utterance to the painful truth, she uncon-
sciously assumed the quaint Quaker dia-
lect.
because | love thee. Donald, and it is
my wish that thou should st have much
comfort i'll this world; for surely thou
wilt have sorrow and tribuIatiou in the
world to come; for it is written that no
drunkard shall see Heaven
Her words struck upon Donald like a
conviction.
1t seemed as though subtle influence
vibratc,i through the truth which he had
evoked from the lips of his quiet uucom-
planning wife.
Night after night rose aceusingly in his
memory. with visions Of the gaming table,
and Of the fiery sout-destroying draughts
which had stimulated him from enc mad
excess to another. He had surely bartered
his hopes of salvation for ':mess Of pot
tage.'
An interval Of some moments elapsed.
1t seemed an eternity to Mary.
Love and obedience to her husband hat!
been her ruling passion and she feared the
effect of her words upon him.
At last Donald rose to his feet, and
moved towards lis wife.
What tl,nir prisa n Dnna III
put his arm about Mary's waist. and draw
her to him.
SIS it SO Molly? Then by Him who
made me, you shall have no mere fears for
my SOUL
His solemn manner gave his words the
effect of Il more formal attestation, and
his really fine face lit up with glow of en-
thusiasm as he looked from one to the
other
"What do you say, boys? Shall we
give happy heart to this kind little wo-
man, and sign the pledge9 Why not be
friends in amendment as we have been in
our wild frolics?i
No second appeal was necessary. The
more enthusiastic Lawrie drew James for
ward.
SECT the papers, Mrs. lie Brun. III
sign, and so will James, here. too. I'll
speak for him.
1t was enough Mary lie Brun felt a
lightness of heart to which she had long
been stranger, as she went to the old
fashioned desk where Donald kept his ac-
counts, and brought from it writing ma
terials.
Donald signed his name in bold char
acters, then James, and lastly Lawrie.
NOW, Molly, pray for us, that we may
not fall into temptation and break our
promise. y
81 will, Donald will, Not day
shall pass that do not thank God for this
great happiness, and ask Him to help you
keep in the path of right
1t proved to be, indeed, turning point
in Donald's life. He had been the leading
spirit in drawing his friends into following
after the devices of The great enemy OF
with the blessing of God, for their CONVEX
sion.
They are now steady, well-to-do men;
with young families growing up like olive
branches around them.
Their place at church is never vacant,
and no unanswered call is made upon theil
plethoric purses.
Charity and religion 60 with them hand
in-hand, and are the leading principles ol
their lives.
As to Mary lie Brun, husband and child
rrn rise up and call her blessed, and he
earthly life is foretaste, in its calm hap
piness, of the joys which are in store TO
those accounted worthy of Heaven.
wOMAN,s ADVANCE In ENGLAND.
| Gratifying evidence of the advancement
of woman in England appears in the state