The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-09-06
a WONDERFUL MESSAGE.
Tho Fruitfuiness of Warning Word
Against the Deadly Cup.

They had been introduces, of course,
but he spoke to her first dinner.
May | pour you little vince he
asked.
Thank you" she said simply, "a
little. l drink only claret."
You don't care for sweet wines?"
81 don't think really care for any
wine. but this is what we drink at
home. You did not pour any for your
self" she added a moment after.
He smiled.
1t would be for the first time in my
life if had"
How strange" She looked at him
point blank with pair of clear and
very kind blue eyes. Have you scru-
pies? Do you think it wrong?"
"Well"-he drew a long breath
hardly. Yet, for me it would be
wrong"
The color deepened on her Check a
little. He saw her check back word
from her lips, and the shadow .hat
swept over her face was sweeter than
any brightness. But he could not ap-
propriate her unmerited sympathy.
'No-no,' he declared, laughing
slightly. 1T is not at all temptation
to me. l have never known the taste
of any sort of liquor. | think have a
great advantage against fate in this,
and | mean TO keep it."
Then you are afraid after all"
Sometimes we recognize danger,
though we may not fear it
eff II no 6aunar Won faay, IL
You do. or you would not take precau-
tons"
He looked down and met her earnest
glance. She was forgetting her dinner.
If you were not afraid she went
on impulsively, wine would seem to
you as harmless as water. 1t is because
You have d fear that you will not touch
it."
He was at loss just here. 1t was
difficult to match her candor without a
touch of seeming discourtesy.
Suppose drink to your better cour-
age, she said. A roguish dimple showed
itself The deadly cup has no terror
for me"
He raised his crystal goblet and
drank to her in sparkling water, saying
gently:
But of my cup no one need be
afraid"
There was a pause. She had not lift
ed the wine to her lips. A servant came
to remove the course and someone
spoke to her across the table. When he
could claim her attention again he was
ready with bright remark about the
beauty of some roses in vase near
them.
'Ies-so pretty-pretty, she said,
vaguely, and then with purpose in her
tone: I'VE had not exhausted our topic.
l think. May | asks it your convic.
ton that liquor should not be used in
any form?"
You are unmerciful," he deprecated.
Think how ungrateful it would seem
to object to anything among such sur.
rOundings."
Never mind about being compli-
mentary," she replied, gravely. II am
trying to rehect-to decide. I have
never before given one serious thought
to this question of temperance. The
people l live among-and they are all
upright, intelligent and refned-re-
gard a moderate use of liquor as al
most Indispensable. Surely you must
admit that there are thousands and
thousands who are not in any way in
| jured by its use?"
Il know" he said quickly, but there
are millions and millions-the jails will
/ tell you-the hospitals"
He stopped abruptly.
Yes" she said thoughtfully, yes.
But why not take the good and avoid
the evil? We need not become drunk
ards because we use liquor?"
He met the appeal of her earnest
/ eyes with a look as earnest.
''Since you desire it," he answered
steadily. let me say one word, and
then. | think, | will say no more. If
you never touch liquor, You not only
need not, you can not become a drunk
ard. But, if once it cross your lips, the
first step is made
There was long silence between
them. The rest of the guests went on
talking gayly, Presently she spoke, but
so low that he had to bend his ear to
listen.
"You have given me a wonderful
message" she said. She set aside he,
glass OF wine, and in the simple act he
knew there was consecration.-N. Y,
Advertiser.