The Washington critic., 1886-01-27
TIMELY WARNING.

DiONy anu Viz ohNNt bluN bNNo htei a.
panied look in the sunny depths as they
rested on group of young men that
had gathered around sideboard at the
outer end of the room, and whose gay
sallies and merry laughter seemed to
jar harshly on her ear,
zone glass more" cried Henry Joy
to Philip Russell, fine.looliing man,
whose stately head and broad shoulders
brought him very conspicuously into
view.
Philip smilingly allowed his glass to
be filled, though his flushed face and
sparkling eyes showed that he had al
ready taken more than was good for
him
But, just rs he was raising II to his
lips, he felt n soft, tremulous touch
upon his arm and voice whispered,
too low to be audible to any car but
his:
Beware ! there's poison in the cup"
Philip turned his head, but only to
see the retreating form Of Estelle Con-
way as she glided out Of the room.
The glass fell fl ON his hand, shivcr-
ing into fragments at his feet.
"Why, man alive ~ laughed Henry
JOY, "what are you about? What did
Miss Conway say to turn your face to
such color as that p
"Oh, nothing, nothing" said Philip,
forcing laugh. "The glass was slip
perry, l think"
Let me get you another"
mo, thank you; | will not take any
thing more tonight
When alone, Philip reflected on the
strange warning he had received.
Gould it be possible that she-that
any onc-considered him in danger?"
His check burned at the very thought.
And yet, with the half-rcsentful feel
ing it aroused, was mingled dim con-
sciousness that his feet were standing
on slippery places.
When Philip and Estellc met again
there was q visible constraint in the
manner of the former, though it wore
away under the gentle cordiulity Of her
look and tone.
He had hitherto regarded her as a
pretty and amiable woman, but with
nothing to distinguish her from the
usual order of such.
Now he looked at her more atten-
lively, and was struck by the goodness
so clearly visible in all her works and
ways.
Many times the impulse came over
him to allude to the warning she had
given him and to inquire what she
meant by it, At last business suddenly
summoned him to a Western State.
The evening before leaving he called
to bid her good by.
They were quite by themselves, and,
after conversing few minutes on diff
ferent subjects, Philip said:
miss Conway, ! have long wished
TO ask you question. Do you re,
member the words you whispered into
my car few weeks ago?"
Estelle's face flushed deeply.
II remember them," was the low
and mfaltering reply. ...
"Why did you give me that warn
ing?"
"Yes."
"And you will not be offended"
"No."
Because thought you needed it. ,
81 see that you are offended" added
Estelle, breaking the silence that fol
lowed.
mo no / could not be offended
with you But / never thought i
wrong before to take social glass
There were others with me- why die
you give the warning to me onlyY
because take a deep and painful,
interest in you"
Philips heart beat fast at this ac
acknowledgement.
| |Estelle continued
"There was one very dear to mt
whom you strongly resemble. He wa
kind-hearted, noble and generous; but
alas like you, he thought there was
no harm in the social glass. had {
brother once; have no brother now
lie fills drunkard's grave p
Here tears and sobs choked tht
utterance of the speaker.
"My dear Miss Conway / am 81
sorry to revive such sorrowful rcmem
brances !"
81 shall be more than repaid for it /
you will only take warning by hi
fate"
"From this hour not a drop of spirit
uous liquor shall pass my lips !"
"God give you strength to keep thi
resolve ~
Our next scene opens two years later
and in q Western city, whittier Estell
had gone on a visit to an uncle.
"There is going to be lecture a
the City Hall ON Temperance thi
evening" said Mr.. Conway, as Ii
entered the room where his wife an
niece were sitting. "lt is by Phil
Russell, very eloquent speaker, an
who has quite taken the hearts O
people by storm of late, especially o
that subject. You must both 60"
"Russell" exclaimed Estelle, wit
Frightening eyes, 81 used to know
man by that name; but, of course,
can't be he"
Nevertheless, her heart beat fast a
she took seat in the crowded hall,
One glance at the platform, in tn
back part of which iine-looking ma
was sitting, showed that her hall
formed suspicion was correct,
AS the speaker stepped forward thei
eyes met.
Estelle knew that he saw and recol
nized her. A warm glow suifused hC
check and filed her heart, and durin
the hour that followed she sat ei
tranced by the eloquent words that fe
so musically from his tongue.
With the many who pressed aroun
him at the close of the lecture Phil
had no chance to give Estclle MOI
than smile and warm pressure {
the hand, But in the morning he calle
on her.
81 have kept my promise, Estellel
brought rich reward in itself; an
still | am not satisfied. ! want or
still more precious; will you give it
meI"
Eetnlln,s only rnsnnnsn Nyns In lay