The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-06-08


her fair face rising from among them like
a rose, stepped mt. She entered the res
%taurant, and the driver slowly drove the
carriage down the street.
a long hour did Esrlston spend in his
miserable watching and waiting. At the
end of that time the carriage returned, and
Maud stepped out of the restaurant.
Stepped out! Good Heavens! Was this
Maud T~hornton-his love, his wife? This
woman, with flushed face, stupid, wander
ing gaze, unsteady step? As she reached
the curbstone, a sudden swaying OF her
body told Earlston she was not safe. He
sprang across the street like a mad man,
forgctfnl of everything but the shame of
public exposure, just as the driver, descend
ing from his perch, was about to help his
mistress in.
"Let go!" cried Earlston, hardly know
ing what he said. He hurled the man
from him, and taking Maud by the arm,
led her into the carriage. She only looked
at him with a stupid smile as he placed
her on her seat.
"Maud, Maud" was all poor Earlston
could utter, with a deep groan. She only
answered, whats wrong, Jamie? p still
gazing at him vacantly; and Earlston,
seeing nothing more could be got out of
her, left her, saying to the driver haught-
lily, as he got out, ''Miss Thornton is i'll;
drive home quickly"
The driver smiled sardonieally, and
Earlston saw with a sense of horrible
humiliation, he knew we'll enough the
cause of his mistress indisposit:on. He
went back to the warehouse, and went
through his work for the day mechanical
ly, and at night, instead of going home,
he went straight to Mr.. Thornton's villa,
and demanded to sec his betrothed. The
interview was a painful one. Maud was
bitterly chagrined that her lover should
have seen her in such a condition. She
Inundated herself as few would have be-
licved naughty Miss Thornton could, be-
fore him, and begging him not to desert
her, promised solemnly to give mp the
evil habit that had so enslaved her, for
ever.
"You should not be too harsh on me,
jamie" she pleaded, laying her soft white
hand on his arm. "Ob, | have been so
much alone, and somehow didn't know
how-the habit, my mothers curse, got
hold Of me, and | had none to help me
fight it. But you will, Jamic-I know you
will"
All, love is a wonderful blunder of the
sight Earlston was not long in finding
excuses for his betrothed; and before he
left her that night the day for their mar
riage, which Maud had always persisted
in ~postponing, was fixed.
Crawford Grant heard the news with an
astonishment that he could not conceal.
flames, have you and Miss Thornton
become pledged abstainers ?" he asked
gravely of his friend the first time they
met. Earlston hesitated. mo, Grant,
we intend to after we are married. In the
meantime, Maud is afraid of what might
| be said"
"For heavens sake, James" said his
friend, earnestly, ''don't let such a trifle
stand in your way, Do everything that
may keep this serpent from your heart
and home. Take Maud to Marion-she
and | are going to join the total abstainers
ourselves"
81 can't compel Maud to do it If she
does not wish to herself" said James, ir-
ritably, for he knew himself he was in the
wrong in meekly submitting to his fancee's
wishes. But James Earlston, like many
another man, imagined he could do as a
husband what he could not accomplish as
a lover.
A few months later there was a double
marriage. Crawford Grant and Marion
Earlston, and James Earlston and Maud
Thornton, took each other '.for better or
for worse, till death should them part
They did not think then there is a worse
than death which separates loving hearts.
y X n
Five years had passed since that happy
day. Crawford and Marion Grant had
bdStttl blc SNGtLiftSS VI huio iuAi Hht YUM
plete life which is only known whom mar
and woman are joined together in the per-
feet sympathy of mind that is so rare a
thing. Both were great total abstinence
advocates; no drink containing alcohol
was allowed within their house, and their
influence in the district in which they lived
was very great.
Mr.. and Mrs. Earlston lived in Haddley
House. for the elder Mrs. Earlston had
died some years ago. A friendly inter
course was kept up between the two fami-
lies, but mostly by writing, for the Grants
lived at a distance from the Scottish COM
mercial metropolis. But the Grants being
on their way to London, broke their jonr-
ney for a few days at Haddley House.
Marion almost cried out at the change
time had wrought upon her brother. Pale,
haggard, with hair thickly besprinkled
with grey, he looked the mere ghost of
handsome, genial James Earlston. Bust
ness prospered with him, and he was re-
cognized as one of the leading city mer-
chants. but his home told no tale of pros
perity. The air of comfort and luxury
that had penetrated it when it was Mar