Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 1.djvu/307

Rh the store of Carr & Co., but her brother was not there, neither was Mr. Carr, and she turned away heart-sick and half in despair. As she stepped from the building she met Clara Corinth. She was dressed elegantly, and her fair, haughty face seemed more beautiful than Mary had ever before seen it. She regarded Mary with a cold, scornful look, no recognition whatever in the light-blue syes, as she swept past her and entered the store. Slowly Mary wended her way homeward. Just before she arrived at her own door she saw Mr. Carr crossing the street and coming towards her. She paused and awaited his coming.

" Good morning, Miss Ross. I was just about to call at your home. You must be very anxious to learn something concerning your brother."

Mary bowed assent; her lips trembled so that she dared not trust herself to speak.

" I wish I could soften the painful fact for you, Miss Ross," said the gentleman courteously. " Doubtless you knew that he was intoxicated last night. I had been out attending an evening party, and was on my way home when I met him in company with a policeman on his way — pardon me, but in order to save him you must know the truth— to the station-house. I interceded, and the police-man, being an old acquaintance of mine, delivered him into my hands at once. I took him to a lodging house kept by a kind old lady, and saw him to a comfortable room and to bed. I then left him and hastened homeward, calling upon you by the way. I have seen him this morning, and although he is suffering with a severe headache, he will be home soon, I think. Forgive me, if I have spoken too plainly."

" The truth is what I wished to know, sir, and I thank you for your kindness in behalf of my mother as well as myself." She turned away with a sad " good morning." Theodore Carr watched her until she had entered the house and was lost to view, then he turned and walked rapidly away, but all day long the sweet, sad face of Mary Ross haunted him, and he mentally resolved to do anything in his power to save the unfortunate Eugene.

Two months have rolled slowly away, and the month of March finds but little change in Eugene Ross. For a short time after the events recorded above, he had paused in his downward career, and his evenings, at his request, had been passed at the store. Theodore Carr had been his warm friend in the days of his prosperity, and he was one of those true and noble men who do not take themselves away at the first approach of misfortune. He had given him a place in his store and showered many favors upon him. paying him the same salary he paid those who worked evenings as well as through the day. After a few weeks, however, Eugene began to be later in at night, and as Mary never left her mother now, together the two anxious watchers would await him. They would plead with him, and he would promise faithfully to avoid his old companions, but they seemed ever on the lookout for him, and often he would return home under the influence of liquor.

With the approach of spring Mrs. Ross failed rapidly. Physicians could give no hope, and each day she seemed to grow weaker and weaker. Finding the care and work too much for Mary, who was not strong, they had sought for and secured the services of Mrs. Wiltnot, a widow lady who resided near by. The money which had been their sole dependance was rapidly diminishing, and Mary decided to sell her piano. Eugene seldom brought home any money, and Mary often felt her courage and strength nearly worn out. Yet she knew there were thousands in the city worse off than herself. Intoxicating drink is ruining hundreds of people every year all over our land. Will the day ever dawn that shall see the awful curse banished from our midst? I think the sun would shine brighter, the air seem sweeter and the earth itself would become almost a foretaste of Heaven, could this be so. God grant that the day may not be far distant.

One evening Mrs. Ross sent for Eugene to visit her in her room. When he