we have before stated, had been for some 
time an ardent admirer of hers, and was 
this evening her most devoted cavalier. 
As he draws near, looking winningly upon 
her, she raises her deep blue eyes to his 
with an expression of subdued pleasure, as 
he remarks: “You look tired, Annie. Have 
you not enjoyed yourself ?” • 
Very mildly she replies, “No, I am not 
tired, Fred, and I have in a measure en¬ 
joyed m i self, but do you know I have felt 
a presentiment all the evening that some 
evil will be the result of this visit. There 
are many here this evening who have never 
entered here before, nor would they have 
done so under any other circumstances; 
but from a recollection of the pleasant as¬ 
sociations here this evening, may be led to 
come again, and in place of the Christian 
people who are now here, they will find 
an entirely different class.” 
“True, Annie,” answered Fred, “such 
may be the result, yet I can see no ground 
for your fears, as there is no liquor being 
sold here this evening, there can be no 
danger of any acquiring an appetite for 
strong drink by being here.” 
“I know it is said there is no liquor to be 
sold, but you know the enemy with whom 
we have to contend.” 
Just at this moment the door was pushed 
rudely open, and two young men entered 
the room, shouting, swearing and stagger¬ 
ing along, very evidently in a state of in¬ 
toxication. The landlord, appearing very 
much excited, was in hot pursuit, using 
his utmost endeavors to silence them and 
persuade them out of the room. Of course 
a panic ensued. Some rushed from the 
room; all looked horrified and confounded; 
but the scene was soon ended, as the land 
lord by some means shortly succeeded in 
escorting the rioters out of the house 
Aunt Eunice, indignant beyond all ex 
pression merely remarked i “I guess if the 
bar is locked, the sullar aint. Deacon 
Brown, I’m goin’ hum.” Upon which the 
deacon quite violently ahem’d and put on 
his hat. 
Annie and Fred still remained where 
they were seated when the interruption 
took place, hardly knowing what next to 
say or do, when three or four gay and lively 
young couples sauntered in from the din¬ 
ing room, and approaching them, a beauti¬ 
ful girl, none other than Kate Miller the 
landlord’s daughter, said: “I hope we are 
not intruding, but we are planning a sleigh- 
ride and very much desire your company.” 
“With all my heart,” quickly answered 
Fred; “what say you, Annie?” She re¬ 
plied, “Very willingly, the air seems so 
stifling here.” And Fred could not but 
observe how pale and agitated she was, 
and he well knew the cause. Of course he 
was grateful that anything so opportune 
as this sleigh-ride could be so quickly ar- 
ranged to divert her attention. They were 
soon off, their merry tongues keeping time 
to the music of the bells, their young hearts 
keeping time to the sweeter music of loved 
voices as they rung out on the clear night 
ah*, in merry laughter or in clear ringing 
song. 
An hour, perhaps, had passed, the dona¬ 
tion party had broken up and the house of 
Mr. Miller was quiet, when our merry party 
returned from their ride, and entering a 
side door were escorted by Miss Kate to a 
room belonging expressly to her. It was 
elegantly furnished, and a bright fire was 
glowing; lights shone brilliantly and the 
room looked very cheerful and inviting. 
Kate hastily threw aside her wrappings and 
wheeling the large easy chairs before the 
grate, invited her friends to be seated, 
saying with a graceful bow and bright 
smile: “Now we’ll have such a charming 
time; this is my own little realm here and 
none dare intrude.” 
Frank Jones, a lively, handsome young 
man, son of one of the deacons mentioned 
in the first of our story, and one of Kate 
Miller s many admirers, answered with a 
bow as graceful as her own had been: “And 
A\e, your most loyal subjects, fair queen, 
what is your will ?” 
‘That you should all be merry and gay;” 
replied the fair Kate, and she looked smil¬ 
ingly around upon her guests. 
Beside those already named, there were 
Charlie Wells, a fine appearing, intelligent 
j oung fellow, whose father was a wealthy 
merchant, and Belle, a beautiful girl with 
bright sparkling black eyes and glossy 
raven tresses, a sister of Frank Jones, who 
