The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-02-03

his wines, his horses, and mis- good temper;
the Older heads were ready to worship his
wealth, his birth and position; only here
and there a word was whispered Of late
reyels at Fairbanl, of an occasional lapse
into inebriety. or dropped hint that
''young Watson was living too fast"
There were many bright bellies who cher
ished a secret belief of Leonard's marked
preference, yet the gay heart was untoucl-
ed, the travelled taste unsatisfed and he
was free man, in word or thought, as he
sauntered up the fair at Claireyille with
Amy's letter upon his breast.
II was night and he was alone in the IL
brary of bis spacious house before he
recollectcd the missiye; then, with an in
dolent curiosity, he drew it forth. "Some
fiat schoolgirl verses, = be mnttered. 'or.
worse, a dose Of flattery yelled by an in
cognita
At first he read with lazy expression
Of knocking upon his lips; but, as the lines
were traced with earnest care, so, as lie
read the mans soul was reused to thought
and interest. Hot, angry hushes chased
each other over his brow, yet he did not
finch; every word Of the appeal, though it
stung him with its scorching truth and
searching questions, was pernsed faith
fully, till, at the end, the dainty signature,
'your sincere friend, found him serious
and sad.
at is all true" he said, in a low tone,
rising and pacing the floor with quick get
even steps. 81 am wasting all Gods bless
ings-s4uandering my wealth foolishiy;
undermining my health wickedly; flinging
my best years away in folly, if not in
vice. How earnestly she writes! aud her
dear brother seems from her very heart
Who wrote it? Hal the same hand ON the
envelope as inside, and it was directed by
Amy Greyson Amy Greysonl always
thought her merry, lght-hearted child;
but this-this is the letter of a noble, earn
est Christian woman"
GLOW beautifully she writesl Yet-yet
how she despises mel How she lashes my
follies and vices! With what bitter sar-
casm she questions my counsel yet how
earnestly she inlplores me to pause while
there is yet time, and think of where the
path tread will lead mel Think All
she has raised train of thought now that
will not die-that can never quiet again!
Conscience is alive now, and there is no
more careless folly for me- .
Up and down, pacing sometimes with the
slow tread of earnest thought again rapid
ly crossing and recrossing the room, his
feet falling with passionate emphasis, he
spent the hours till long after midnight;
and when, at last, he sought his own room,
Leonard Watson, for the first time in long
years, knelt and implored Gods blessing
ON his resolutions for the future.
Clairevile wondered what had "come
over" The young millionaire. Old tenants,
who had been wont to look upon their
young landlord as an easy-going scamp,
began to open their eyes over sanitary i'm
proyements in their lowly homes; charity
appeals began to find a ready response at
long given his Office name, now began to
fulfill their mission, as the young lawyer
loaded his brains for ice; old friends
wondered how Leonard could preserve his
genial brightness. his generosity, wit and
grace, yet hold the reins on his follies with
such strong, firm hand; new acquain-
tances spoke warmly of the conscientious,
able young advocate, who was steadily
working his way to future eninence.
But in one house there were tears of
thanksgiving, prayers of humble praise, as
Amy Greyson heard from every tongue of
the reform in that noble young life; and
when, after a years probation, words of
love and petition greeted her as the young
lawyer implored her to be his wife-to aid
him by her love and presence in maintain
ing the new life he owed to her sugges-
tons, she humbIy thanked Heaven for the
impulse that had prompted her TO write
the letter Leonard Watson found in the
post office at the Clairesille fair.