o her alluring
chatter--that he did not at first notice what was being offered him.

"Will you have a drink of champagne wine, General?" said Mrs. van der
Griff who stood near.

The general raised his head and frowned as if he did not understand.

"Come, mon General," cried Geraldine gayly, "We shall drink a votre
succes dans la guerre," and the flighty girl raised a glass of wine on
high. Several of the guests crowded around and all were about to drink
to the general's health.

"Stop," cried General Grant suddenly realizing what was being done, and
something in the tone of his voice made everyone pause.

"Madam," said he, turning to Mrs. van der Griff, "Am I to understand
that there is liquor in those glasses?"

"Why yes, General," said the hostess smiling uneasily. "It is just a
little champagne wine."

"Madam," said the general, "It may be 'just champagne wine' to you,
but 'just champagne wine' has ruined many a poor fellow and to me all
alcoholic beverages are an abomination. I cannot consent, madam, to
remain under your roof if they are to be served. I have never taken
a drop--I have tried to stamp it out of the army, and I owe it to my
soldiers to decline to be a guest at a house where wine and liquor are
served."

An excited buzz of comment arose as the general delivered this
ultimatum. A few there were who secretly approved his sentiments, but
they were far too few in numbers and constant indulgence in alcohol had
weakened their wills so that they dared not stand forth. An angry flush
appeared on the face of the hostess, for in society, "good form" is more
important than courage and ideals, and by his frank statement General
Grant had violently violated the canons of correct social etiquette.

"Very well, Mr. Grant," she said, stressing the "Mr."--"if that's the
way you feel about it----"

"Stop," cried an unexpected voice, and to the amazement of all Ella
Flowers stepped forward, her teeth clenched, her eyes blazing.

"Stop," she repeated, "He is right--the liquor evil is one of the worst
curses of modern civilization, and if General Grant leaves, so do I."

Mrs. van der Griff hesitated for an instant, and then suddenly forced a
smile.

"Why Ella dear, of course General Grant is right," said she, for it was
well known in financial circles that her husband, Mr. van der Griff, had
recently borrowed heavily from Ella's uncle. "There will not be a drop
of wine served to-night, and now General, shall