Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1895-08-30
Ner Promise 0nd Nis 0om.
BY LILLIAN LESTRANGE.

~
her aunt's lap, she told her the
whole disgraceful story.
Miss Linton listened with a
white, shocked face, then, when
it was done, she said, smoothing
the curls from the flushed brow,
We'll, dear. this is sad blow,
but you must try your best to
save him.
"What can | do, auntie?" cried
the girl, impatiently.
"You alone can do nothing,
Marion, but God with you, you
can" replied Mrs. Linton SOL
EMMY.
"But would you have me mar
ry a drunkard, auntie?o" and the
girl shuddered.
Heaven forbid, my child; but
Marion dear, we must be chart
table and not Judge too harshly.
Perhaps, for all we know, it is
his first offense."
"But what shall l say to him
when he comes tomorrow"
Then Miss Linton talked to
the excited girl til she was calm
again and left her to "Tired Ma
lures Sweet Restorer.
The next evening Mr., Prescott
was announced and Marion went
down to meet him with a firm
resolve in her heart.
He advanced to meet her with
outstretched arms.
"And how did my little witch
get along without me?" he cried,
pressing a kiss on the white
cheek.
"Better than Felix Darcy got
along with you she returned
scornfully.
marion, what do you mean?'
he cried hoarsely.
"Only that had the pleasure
Of seeing you and Felix Darcy
enter your boarding house last
night" She was watching
him intently and thought she
saw the hot blood surge up all
over his handsome face. "And
Mr.. Prescott, wish Our engage
1nent to discontinued and she
took off the sparkling solitaire
and held it towards him. But
Aleck only looked at her with a
dazed expression.
"Marion, Marion, do you mean
what you say? believe me, my
darling, this is the first time I
drank to excess, and did not know
l was doing so then. After finish
ing my business last night | was
hurrying to meet you at Mrs.
Greyson's, for l was through
sooner than l expected, when l
met Felix Darcy, who invited
me to come i'll and see how hand
somely their club was fitted up,
for he was just on his way to it.
Little dreaming of any harm, I
consented and followed him into
the brilliantly lighted apartment.
Before l went Felix had wine
brought i'll and l drank glass,
but at the time thought it snelt
more like whiskey. After that
I grew drowsy and knew nothing
more until I found lnyselfin bed
this morning. Marion will you
cast me off after thiso" He came
and looked down into the lovely
face with yearning eyes.
Marion's firm resolve faltered
a moment. Could she have him
leave her? Oh. how dearly she
loved him. But it was only for
a moment, then she looked up
and said, "Aleck Prescott, when
you come to me at the end of
two years, and tell me that no
liquor has passed your lips all
that time, then, and then only
can I be your wife" She went
hurriedly out then, afraid to trust
herself any longer.
Aleck gazed after the retreats
ing figure, and looking towards
Heaven, he said, Marion, NAV
God abandon me if ever l break
the promise l now make"
Two years quickly passed, but
they seemed eternity to poor
Marion. How she accused her
self night and day for her folly.
Miss Linton had not the heart to
scold the girl for her ridiculous
hrnness after his explanation.
And Marion, mot knowing wheth-
er he was angry with her Or not,
looked for him time and again in
vain. She had never seen him
since that evening, though it was
nine days wonder with the
gossips as to where Aleck had
gone and why Marion did not
know. But the nine DAYS were
soon over, and the village people
soon found a new theme to dis
cusS.
But at last it was the second
anniversary of the day A!eck left
her, and Marion dressed herself