Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-10-07
Judge Not.
BY Clio Stanley.

l have chosen this title for the
sketch I am about to write, because l
believe we should be better Christians
ourselves if we remembered at all
times that there is spark of divinity
in every human being, however low
he may have fallen, and that word
of real kindness may effect what looks
of scorn can never do.
1t was delightful day in June-a
day when life budded and blossomed
in the meadow grasses, burst into
song in the threats of the robins and
yellow birds, and throbbed with pleas
ant vigor In the veins of humanity!
A day made for enjoyment; and no.
where was it's sweet gayety more fully
felt than in Dinorah Estlin's little
parlor, where she sat like queen,
surrounded by her loyal subjects.
There was an indefnable charm in
her presence, setting her apart from
that group Of fair girls who had been
her playmates from childhood; she
was self reliant. yet tender; proud,
yet with all the grace of humility
underlying her pride; sort of prin-
cess to those whom she esteemed.
To-day she was radiant; her dark
blue eyes were sparkling with glad,
good, humor; her ripping, gold-brown
haiT tied back with a gay velvet rib
ron, and falling, mass of light and
shadow, over her peach-bloom cheeks;
her everyday rare loneliness blossom
ing in holiday splendors!
Next to her, and resting her hand
lightly on her knee, was Viola Wether-
bee, a gay little coquette, whose vary
ing moods were her chief charm.
Agnes Horton, with her gray eyes,
full of dreams, bent lovingly on the
face Of her friend; and Josie Lansden,
who was making preparations to be
married, and was in consequence,
more thoughtful than usual, COM
p1eted the group.
"Well?" said Dinorah, her face
growing a shade paler as she waited
for the rest of the story Viola had
been telling.
HE was drunk" continued Viola,
with a hard look around the beautiful
mouth, "and found his way into our
house by mistake, inquiring for you,
Dinorah!"
For mel" she exclaimed, in utter
surprise. "But | do not know the
mani"
ct suppose you have forgotten that
he was introduced to you one even
ing last winter at Mrs Lambert's.
That was the night when you talked
with Doctor FRANKIE, and grew so elo-
quent on woman's mission to reclaim
the wandered. He heard you, doubt
less" said Viola, with an odd little
laugh, thought you kind-hearted, and
perhaps wanted to borrow"
Hush, Vio!" said Agnes, laying her
hand lightly above the red lips that
were so carelessly letting slip words
for which she might some day be
sorry. Gerald Norman is, believe,
the victim of circumstances. I know
that he used to indulge in wines and
other stimulants, but he has been
trying to get rid of the dreadful habit
For more than year I have not seen
him intoxicated"
"But you don't see him always" re-
turned Viola, who was always little
shy of Agnes Horizons goodness.
"Of course not" said Agnes, meet
fng Viola's eyes with a bright, brave
look. But you forget he is book
keeper in the house in which my
father is senior partner, and l am
quite sure father thinks he is in earn
est. He prophesfes that with little
kind encouragement he will make a
good man. Ana why should not Swe
be among the first to give ft?"
your goodness is above reproach,
Agnes; but it would never do for me
to be friendly with him when the
whole town is ringing with the story
of mis- folly If you put out your
white hand, people will only say: 'Ah,
charity covers a multitude of sins,
but if I only look at him, smilingly,
Mrs Grundy will lift her hands, and
say so pathetically, Didn't l tell you
so! Birds Of a feather flock together"
It was Josie Lansden who spoke
next, when the merry laugh, which
Viola had raised at her own expense,
subsidized.
Girls" she said, whirling the dia-
mond engagement rig on her dainty
forefnger, "and dear little Queenie, y
turning to Dinorah with a nod of her
head. 81 think if we were married, we
should none Of us like our husbands
to fraternize with Gerald Norman,
lest they, too, might be tempted into
a drunken frolic; ard so / say we
ought to discourage his advances.
What do you say, Queenie?"
There is a fable about maiden
who wore a white dress and handled
Goals" said Dinorah Estlfn, and
while we are none Of us above re-
proach, let us keep ourselves free
from suspicion. Let Gerald Norman
prove himself a gentlemaE before he