Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-12-07

FOR LOVE AND DUTY.

There was no happier girl in all the
world than Eunice Ray when Claude
Erie told her of his love. She was only
fifteen at the time aud had come to re-
gard him in her romantic way as some
thing nobler than the average man.
But shadow came to dim the glory
of her love dream as tho months rolled
by. 1t was rumor about town that
Claude had become dissi patcd and when
she questioned him about the matter he
tried to laugh it off, and acknowledged
that there were frequent times when he
drank more than was good for him.
Eunice Ind promised her dying mother
three years before that she would never
marry an Incorporate man. and as Claude
refused to give up drinking there was
nothing left for the lovers to do but
part.
1t was a terrible blow to Eunice, but
she felt that she had done her duty.
Several years passed, her father died
and she was compelled to work for her
own living Fortune favored her, how
ever, and she soon found employment
as designer, living at the same time with
her employer,
Mr.. Grey and his wife were childoss
and they treated the orphan girl as kind
ly as daughter.
She had been with her kind friends
about year when one evening Mr..
Grey said as he rose from tho dinner
table:
"Wife, would like you and Miss
Ray to be ready in n couple hours to
accompany me to lecture. am ac-
quainted with the lecturer, and in him
the demon Of intemperance has one of
his strongest adversaries. | took tickets,
knowing your sympathy with the cause,
and that you could not fail to be in
terested.'
They went. The house was thronged.
At the time appointed the lecturer
made his appearance.
Eunice had expected to see gentle
man somewhat advanced in years but
instead tall, slight, youthful figure
stood upon the platform. With an I'M
comfortable start the girl recognized in
the lecturer, whose rich, eloquent tones
were already enchanting the attention
of that large, cultivated audience the
lover who had gone from her in anger
four years ago.
A film came before her eyes, and she
trembled in. every limb, then shilling,
with great effort, the tumultuous throb-
bling OF her heart, she sat quietly until
the lecture was over, and she mingled
with the outgoing throng, But their
seats had been far in the front, and
some time elapsed before the door of
exit was reached.
Then Eunice found that though she
had not met his glance Claude had seen
and recognized her.
After cordial Handwriting from Mr.
Grey and his wife Claude turned to their
young companion. exclaiming:
This is truly most delightful sur
prise | did not expect to meet an old
friend here tonight Miss Ray if you
will permit me. | would like 10 accom-
pany you home There is no enjoyment
so great as talking over by-gone days"
That evening Mr.. Grey's parlor wit
messed scene of happy reunion as, un-
rebuked, Claude clasped his recovered
treasure TO bis heart.
"Eunice," he said, after awhile, "the
anger with which left your presence
was sbort-livcd When [ Gained
thought over your words, and though
they wounded my pride could not
help but see that they wore only just
and right. determined then 10 do US
you asked me, to pledge myself in my own
heart to abstain from any further indul.
gencc 10 the wine cup; but that until
time had proved the reality Of my refor.
nation would not return to you. The
year that followed, in distant city
devoted my time and means to seeking
out and striving to redeem cases Of in-
Temperance. As the days went on NY
love for self-imposcd work grew upon
me, and with it a feeling Of adherence
for that which hitherto | had looked
leniently upon. When | returned tc
your home to plead for my old position
in your love and esteem | found yol
gone-where could not learn. But
my darling. we will think Of the past n
longer but Of the bright future in which
thanks to the kind Providence whicI
has reunited US, We may live and wor
together
lie paused
J Runice did not reply in words, b.