the sad event of her death, and remained 
in the only home Annie had ever known. 
Time rolled on, and she became cheerful, 
and almost happy agrin, in the love ana 
-care of her devoted husband. 
He was now having a large practice in 
his profession as a lawyer, and to a casual 
observer there seemed naught to prevent his 
becoming one of the leading citizens of his 
native town. He was talented, enterprising, 
and of a genial disposition which won for 
. him many friends, and always insured him 
a warm welcome in society. Alas, that 
this should prove so disastrous. 
So Fred was prosperous, and Annie, in 
his prosperity and love was happy, for a 
time. But of late there had been a shadow 
on her brow, oftentimes an anxious look in 
her deep blue eyes. Shall we look in upon 
her, as she sits in her neat little sitting-room, 
to-night? The time is midnight, she is alone, 
looking very sad and thoughtful. Ah, she 
is a watcher, nervous and anxious. How 
.many many times she has opened the door 
and peered out into the darkness, and then 
sat down again in her lonely room to listen 
and wait. With each passing moment her 
anxiety increases, until she exclaims aloud: 
*‘Oh, Fred, my husband. Where can he 
stay? Why does he leave me night after 
night to wait, watch and weep alone? 
But one year has passed since he, with this 
hand of mine in his, promised to love, cher¬ 
ish, and protect me. But oh, how changed. 
Instead of returning to me at twilight, as 
he was wont to do, it is now often after the 
midnight hour, and then, oh, Heavens! can 
it be? But what else can mean the fumes 
of liquor which he so vainly tries to hide.” 
At this point the door opens, and Fred 
enters. His face is flushed and his man¬ 
ner somewhat brusque and excited, yet he 
tries to appear calm and natural, and as his 
wife arises to meet him, he smiles, and 
kisses her, as he remarks, “Up still, my 
dear, when I have assured you so many 
times I would not take it unkindly if you 
did not wait for me.” 
Annie silently drew his arm within her 
own and led him to an easy chair, and 
seating herself beside him, looked into his 
bright, unusually bright, dark eyes, sadly 
and earnestly. At length she said, “Fred I 
could not sleep, I am feeling so sad. To¬ 
night you know is the anniversary of our 
wedding, and I have been thinking of the 
changes since then.” 
“Why,” answered Fred carelessly, “I 
know of nothing that my dear little wife 
need to grieve herself to death about.” 
“Oh, Fred,” she said, “the sad change 
which grieves me so much, is the one which 
has come over you, my husband. Why do 
you so often leave me alone? Have I lost all 
power to attract ? Has home no longer any 
charms for you? Oh, Fred, I fear some 
evil is drawing near. My mind goes back 
to that fatal night, when I saw you yield to 
the temptress and raise the wine-cup to 
your lips. Oh! my loved, my precious hus¬ 
band, pause, and consider whither your 
steps are tending. Oh, for the sake of your 
friends, for the sake of the wife you prom¬ 
ised to cherish, do not pursue the path of 
vice, and leave her heart to break; do not 
let poverty, destruction and woe be our 
portion.” 
“Hush, Annie, you’re imaginative. You 
have no reason to rear for me, 1 can control 
my appetite, I’m in no danger I assure you. 
But, by the way Annie, Kate Miller and 
Frank Jones are married. Frank was out 
to the club to-night, and nothing would do 
but I must go over to Miller's with him. 
I tell you, Annie, Frank is a lucky dog. 
Kate Miller is as sparkling a woman as 
there is in this town, and she will make a 
wife that a man should be proud of. Old 
Miller is going to move out, aud Frank and 
Kate are going to keep the house. By 
George! but she will make a splendid land¬ 
lady.” 
“Yes Fred,” earnestly replied Annie, her 
heart sinking at thought of the new tempta¬ 
tions that would probably ensnare her hus¬ 
band, “but how many homes will her 
brilliancy shroud in gloom, and eventually 
bring sorrow upon her own head. Oh! my 
husband, and bitter tears rolled down her 
lovely face. “I beg of you to hear to me, 
and shun those who seek your ruin.” 
Fred’s arms were about her slender form, 
and as he fondly kissed away her tears, 
and gently smoothed the soft braids of her 
glossy brown hair he tried to sooth her by 
saying, “There, there, pet, you’re nervous, 
