The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-05-07
y woMAN's 1xFEuENcE.

y WOMAN'S INFLUENCE.
'IEeard the latest news, Norman :?
What, is it possible that you haven t heard
what is causing such excitement among the
fellows Of our set? Well, Dora Ellsworth
has joined the temperance move! No more
rare, old wine for us at the Ellsworth re-
ceptions! Cad, it's too bad! Such delicious
wine as they have there. wonder what
possesses all the women nowadays? 1t
looks as though they suspected we would
not be able to control our appetites and had
taken the reins in their own hands "
And the speaker, young man of twenty
four or five, threw the stump Of his cigar
from the open window, and settled himself
comfortably in the easy chair for a discus
sion with his lawyer friend. whose office he
had just entered.
Norman Fitz James started, and his face
flushed hotly at his friend S words, but he
answered calmly, SO calmly, indeed,
that Charlie Kelly with all Of his eager
curiosity as to how he would take the news,
did not detect the tremble in his voice, nor
know that the shadows had suddenly over
spread the bright springtmc Of his love,
rs the clouds sweep across an April sky.
Dora Ellsworth was his promised bride,
and in this new move he read anxiety for
his wefare-and knew, with quick in
tuition, that his liking for an occasional
social glass was a secret from her no
longer Not that he was drnkard, oh,
no, pride still held the viii in obeisance,
and the appetite was not yet strong enough
to overcome self respect. He never went
rcelng through the streets, singing bac-
chanal songs, but more than once he had
gone into her presence with flushed face
and wine-brghtened eyes, and love. ever
watchful, had read the shameful secret and
planned for his reform He realized it all
Us lie listened in shamed silence TO his
friends versatile account ofthe temperance
move, which occupied AZ minds.
'And She has a reception tonight A
gay snare to entrap us poor fellows there
to sign the pledge, suppose" Charlie
went on You will 60, of course, Nor
man.
Certainly" answered Ftz james alb
scnny, wondering what his reception
would be.
''Shal call at your house! It's on my
way. you know, said Charlie as he arose
to go.
If you please" tie lawyer answered.
and his friend went out, convinced that
there was something, some mystery, in
Fitz James camness that he could not
fathom.
Il thought he would b. terribly cut up
about it, . he mullcred, as he sauntcrcd
down town to hear the latest news. II
f;lncied he had better chance to win the
fair Dora love than the rest of us. But
one thing is certain, il it is so he will have
TO give mp his Wine | know Dora Ellis
worth enough to know that. IIeigho,
time Will telln'
Left alone in his office, Norman Fitz
James locked the door and walked the
floor with quick, excited steps and down
east gloomy eyes. Memory, ever iuthlti,
held before his nrnd scenes Of the past and
sternly asked if there was not reason to
fear the power OF the wlhe-enp, even Tor
Norman Fitz lanes. Love and anger
waged the war and anger conquered.
IF she cannot trust me now She never
will, he muttercd, and II size thinks t"
drive me TO reform she will find out her
mistake
Then, as sudden wave of tenderness
and love swept away his angry doubts, he
sank upon chair buried his face in his
hands, and cried aioad;-
But loved her 50! Oh, Dora, my dar-
ling como back to me.
Thus with human inconsistency and ieai-