r mind, only may the God in whom you trust
bless you forever." And this warm-hearted, whole-souled, hot-brained,
sorely-tempted young man wrung his friend's hand with an almost
convulsive grasp, and was gone.

Theodore looked after him wistfully. Winny came to the window while he
still stood looking out; he turned to her suddenly.

"Winny, enter the lists with me, and help me fight rum and his allies,
and save the young man."

"How?" said Winny, earnestly.

"Every way. Help me to meet him at every time, to save him from himself,
and, worst and hardest of all, to save him from his family. I would like
to ask you to pray for him."

"Very well," answered Winny, gravely, returning his searching look with
one as calm. "Why don't you then?"

"Because I have reason to fear that you do not pray for yourself."

This time she colored violently, but still spoke steadily:

"Suppose I do not. Can't I possibly pray for any one else?"

"You _can_, certainly, if you will; but the question is, will you?" And
receiving no sort of reply to this question, Theodore turned away and
prepared to go down town.

The Hastings' family had filed out to the dining-room after the orthodox
fashion--Mr. Hastings leading out the fashionable Boston stranger, Mrs.
De Witt, and Pliny following with her elegant daughter. All traces of
last night's dissipation had been carefully petted and smoothed away
from the young man's face and dress, and he looked the very
impersonation of refined manhood. As for Dora no amount of care and
anxiety on her mother's part could transform her into a fashionable
young lady--no amount of persuasion could induce her to follow fashion's
freaks in the matter of dress, unless they chanced to accord with her
own grave, rather mature, taste. So on this November day, while Miss De
Witt was glowing and sparkling in garnet silk and rubies, Dora was pale
and fair in blue merino, and soft full laces; and in spite of plainness
and simplicity, or perhaps by the help of them, was queenly and
commanding still. The table was dazzling and gorgeous, with silver and
cut glass and flowers. Pliny established his lady and devoted himself to
her wishes, eating little himself, and declining utterly at least half
of the dishes that were offered. Brandy peaches, wine jellies, custards
flavored with wine, fruits with just a touch of brandy about them, how
they flitted and danced about him like so many imps, all allies of that
awful demon _r