St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-05-28
Saved From Himself.

they.
But today Eunice Rays lovely face
wears cloud, and the calm depths
of her blue eyes are troubled; for she
is waiting for her lover, and she
knows that the coming hour must
decide for veal or woe her whole
future life.
Three years before, by her dying
mothers side (then only a girl OF
6fteen) she had promised solemnly
never to wed one who was addicted
to Incorporate habits.
When six months ago she had met
Claude Erie he had seemed every
thing that was noble. The more she
had seen of him the more her heart
had instinctively gone out to him,
and at length when he had asked for
the precious boon of her hand in
marriage she had given him with
out hesitation the answer he craved.
For while the course of their
wooing had run in the smoothest,
most blisslul of channels; but lately
a shadow had come over the bril-
liancy of Eunice's happy love-dream.
For some time reports had been
brought to her ears Of her lovers
gradually growing dissipation. At
first with an indignant scorn she
had refused to believe; but too soon
she had been forced to the convic-
ton that what she had heard had
some foundation in truth.
A step came up the path to the
vine. wreathed nook where Eunice
sat.
"Ah, here she is! My little queen in
the midst of her subjects"
Claude dropped, as he spoke,
handful OF fragrant blossoms in her
lap, and then seated himself by her
side.
Then, for the first time, he noticed
the troubled expression her face
wore, and attributing it to some
trivial cause which his presence
would soon comfort, began lightly
to question her.
For few moments the girl hest
tated.
AS she gazed up into his handsome
laughing eyes, she shrank from
speaking words which might drive
him in anger from her side, and
separate her for all time from him.
She loved with an intensity such as
a nature like hers could feel but once.
But at length she began in a low
voice, which gathered 6rmness as
she went on. First she told him of
her solemnly uttered VOW to her
dying parent, and then of what she
had heard concerning his intemper.
ate habits.
"If you tell me it is untrue,
Claude" she concluded, II will be-
lieve you beyond all Others. But if
you cannot, | must ask of you to
choose now between your love Of
wine and your affection for me; for,
Claude. though it ruins my liie's
happiness, l must keep my VOW"
A dark flush of anger sprang to
Claude's face as he rose to his feet,
exclaiming:
II will not say that what you
have heard is false-I will not tell an
untruth-but what matters it il in
the society of jovial friends I have
once in while overstepped the
bounds of sobriety? 1t is only what
thousands do, and think nothing of
doing. Eunice, thought that you
loved me, but l see was mistaken.
No woman who truly loved man
would impose conditions upon him"
Eunice's face grew very pale as she
listened to the torrent Of passionate
words his wounded pride had die
tated.
II feared you would be angry, but
| was forced to speak as did. Oh,
CLAUDE" she went on, "only promise
me that from this day your lips will
never again touch the inebriating
cup and we will yet be so happy"
He flung off her hand with a scorn-
full laugh.
"Such lukewarm love as your every
word shows will not suffice for me"
he exclaimed. IF you desire our
engagement to be at an end, so be il,
Twill not so demean myself as to be
hampered by such conditions"
Without further words he strobe
away.
Hidden as she was by the screening
foliage, Eunice had no need to fear
prying eyes. With pathetic cry she