On The Brink

I have known Arthur Gravoly weiland intimately. A part of his story carne to my knowledge through my own observations, and a part he told me hiniself. Arihur caine of an old, well-defined and respectablo stook, with just enough tf aristocratie pride inherited f rom his progenitors to give hiin refinement and selt reliance. At an early age he was left an orphan, and receivod most of his education under the care of an uucle. When he was one-and-twenty he was admitted to the employ of abanker named Vanderlain, and very soon took a position of trust and responsibility in the house. A year later he took for his wife Fanny Summerton - one of the f ai rest and sweetest of earthly treasurers. He had loved her long and truly, and her love in return had been single and devoted. This was lite opening tor Artlmr Gravely with bright and happy proniises. He had triends whieh ever way he turned ; his business prospecta were of the very best ; and his home was nn earthly paradise. Üne enomy, and one enemy alone, at this time 8too3 in Arthur's path. His wife did not see it then. She loved hiin fondly and so trustingly that she could not see a fault. . A few of Arthur's friends feared danger, and one of thein, more bold than the rest, spoke to hiin warningly, but kindly ; but hc turned away trom the warning with a sneer of derision. Tho inonths and the years went on - froni twenty-two to twenty-eight. Six years of married life - six years of blessing so far as the outer things oí' life can give blessing. In bank Arthur had assumed a place very near to tho head, and his salary was munificent. From early youth Arthor Gravely had found the wine cup among the symbols of life's social phase. He had kept wine in his own house ; he had used it upon his sideboard and upon his table ; and he had partaken freely abroad. In the earlier years it was wine, and only wine of the best and purest. Later, strong liquors wero required to keep up the tone. At the age of eight-and-twenty there had come an undue flush upon Arthur's cheeks, and there were blotches there which ought not to have been there. He now took brandy before breakfast, and through the day he was forced to supply fuel to feed a fire which else uiight have consumed all bodily comfort. As yet he had never been helplessly intoxicated. He was confident in his own strength. Alas ! for tho man thus failing. He knows that his powers for understanding I are dying out as the body fades and then perishes. At length Mr. Vanderlaincalled Arthur into his private closet, and told him he was going to suspend business. ' I have inoney enough,' eaid Mr. Vanderlain, ' and I know that my close application to business is wearing upon me. I am growing in years, and need rest. I think of going to Europe.' ' And of closing ux your business ?' ' Yes,1 ' But, sir, there is no need of that. If you will trust your business under the guidance of some capable and responsible agent, with your name at its head, it might go prosperously on, and you could go away upon your trip at will.' A cloud came over the banker's face, and he shook his head, ' It is too late,' he said. ' At some time I may teil you more.' Shortly af ter this, in process of olosing up his business, Mr. Vanderlain sent Arthur to a distant city to make some important settlements. Arrived at his destination, the young man called upon the correspondents of the bank, and having made preliminary arrangements, he found himself with a few days upon his hands which he might enjoy in pleasure. On the very evening ot' his arrival, he had fallen in with John Hatton and William Roberts, two friends and classmates of earlier years. He was startled when he saw them. They were evidently going down hill - were to excess. Yet thoy were gentlemen, and Arthur joined them. He spent a first and a second night in their company. On this second night, for the first time in his life, Arthur Gravely drank to a state of helpless stupefaction. He awoke on the next day feeling sad and humiliated. When he met his companions in a private parlor connected with their sleeping apartments, he found them with a bowl of hot brandy between them. A spirit of true friendliness came upon him when he saw the marks of the destróyer so deeply fixed upon the companions of his boyhood. 'Boys,' said he, 'this won't do. You are going down.' They regarded him curiously, and asked him what he ineant. He told them what he meant. They were in a dangerous way. ' You forget old boy,' said Hatton, 'that you are in the same boat. If we took passage before you, it is no loss sure that our route now is the same. Don'tpreach, Arthur. Try a bit of hot brandy. There are moments in a life time - great crises- when the events of the past flash beforo the iiiind as upon a magic mirror - when a man, in a brief instant, recalls every salient point of his earthly career. Such a moment was the present to Arthur Gfavely. ' Let it alone,' he said soleranly. ' I teil you, Jack, and you, Will, that you aregoing down. You can't last ruuch longer at this rato.' ' Well,'rotortedKoberts,withan attempt to laugh, ' it appears to me that what is sauco for the goose is sauce for the gander. Hadn't you better try to let it alono yourself P' 'If I will try, will you try it?' said Arthur. . 'Will you try it,' domanded Hatton. ' I will if you will join me.' 'Done.' And they did it. They joined hands and promised one another that they 'Would be true and steadfast. A new surprise was in store for Arthur Grayely. He found upon cutting off his spirituous liquors that his body weakened and that his hands shook as though with palsy. He applied to a physician for help. Fortunately he applied to a man of sense and understanding. ' Can you give mo somothiug to steady my nerves and restore my appctite 'i' Arthur asked after he had frankly stated his case. ' This shows you, my dear sir,' said the physician, into what a dangerous state you had fallen. I can givo you something to steady your nerves, but it would not help you in the end. If you will be bravo and true you will come out allright in a very few days. Arthur said he should not go back. He wanted no stimulant - no more of that. Tho trial was a severe one, and it may havo been a blessed thing for Arthur Gravely that it was so. He feit more heroism in the conquest, and he also saw more clearly how dtep the evil habit had becomo fixed upon him. On the morning ot the fourth day of his trial he awoke with an appetite for food, and was ablo to eat a hearty breakfast. He was a new man from this time forth. The physician had given him certain hygienic directions which hefollowedimplicitly, and thus he held fast upon his health as it came back to him. And on this fourth day Arthur saw Hatton and Roberts. They had kept their faith, and had unexpectedly prospered. An excellent opening in business had been presented and accepted. On the fifth day the business which had brought Uravely from his home was concluded, and he set out on his return. And . tho last strugglo had passed. His nerves had beeorae steady ; his appetite had started up as if by magie ; his cheek had grown fair ; aud the whito of his eye was growing clear and pearly again. He reached his own city in the morning, and went first to the bank and gave in a return of his business. Mr. Vanderlain had glanced quickly and eagerly into his face when he first entered, and a wondrous charge came upon the bauker's manner as the business proceeded. Something outside the busiuess in hand was evidently on his mind. Arthur did not reach his home until time for dinner ; but he had sent a boy from the bank with the word that ho should be there. ' Fauny.' ' Darling ! O, I am so glad to see you back !' Something made the wife even happier than she had thought as she rested within her husband's embrace. But in the sudden joy she could not see it ; she could only feel the great warmth, like the flow of heaven, as Arthur's kiss came, sweet and pure to her lips. As they entered the dining room Arthur saw the decanter of wine near bis plate. ' Take it away, Fanny,' he said, smiling. 'If you want it hereafter, for a medicine, keep it, For myself I shall not want it.' ■ Not want it - Arthur?' ' I havo dono with it forever.' He spoke solemnly, with a manliness that was strong and reliant. And the wifo saw whence had come the great warmth to her heart- saw it in the pure cheek, and in the clear eye, as she had caught it the sweet breath. ' Arthur, ray husband,' she whispered, as though har'dly daring to trust her own senses, 'isit true ? Do you mean that forever 'r" ' While I live, dading, God giving rae strength andreason.' Fanny was upon the opposite sido of tha T;able. She tried to speak, but her voice failed her. She turned white - then s,he pressed her hand for an instant upon her hea'rt - and then, as the crimson blood once more bounded on its course, she coverod her face, and sank down weeping like a child. Arthur was by her side in a moment. ' Fanny !- my wifo- what is it ? She looked up and caught his atartled gaze through her tears. With a quick movement she threw her anus around his neck, and pillowed her head upon his bosom. ' Oh, Arthur ! - bless you ! bless you ! I could die for joy if I did not feel that I could find more happiness in living now for you !' Here was a new revolation. Arthur Gravely now learned how his sweet wife had suffered without daring to corcplain - how the worm had gnawed at her heart -saw it all the more clearly because he saw in this present time her surpassing joy and ecstacy. Not many words wero spoken. This was not the time for such a heart-moving theme. And now as they ato the meal, Arthur told of his trip to the distant city. After dinner Arthur went out to carry a budget to a neighbor, and wben left alone, Fanny sat down and cried again for joy. And so Mr. Vanderlain found her. He had stopped in passing to do an errand. ' Mrs. Gravely, what has happened ? What is wrong 'i ' Wrong ?' she repeated, looking up. 1 O, sir, it is for joy I am crying.' And then she told the source of the new happinoss that had been openod to her. Mr. Vanderlain listened, and after a deal of thought he slowly said, with his hand upou Fanny's fair head. ' Dear child, you may rejoice without fear. If Arthur has pledged his honor to this new life, be sure he will keep the faith !' Most of the afternoon Arthur spent at the bank and as he sat at the table in the private office waiting for the banker, a feeling of sadness and regret came upon him. It would be hard to leave the old place, and it niight be a long, long, time before he could find another so pleasant. It wastoward evening when Mr. Vanderlain came in, looking flushed and &elfsatisfied. 1 1 have kept you waiting, Arthur, but I have been busy. I have mado a most important change in my programme.' ' Ah ! And then you are not going away r" ' Yes- I shall go to Europe, butl shall not give up my banking business. I have found a new man - one safe, reliable and competent- who, I think, will take my business while I am absent.' ' Mr. Vanderlain,' said the young man frankly, ' I am glad of this, for I know I shall be able to persuado you to let me koap my place in your employ.' The banker shook his Lead. Arthur trembled, and started to speak. 'Tut, tut- not your present place, Arthur. Know that you are iny new mau. If you will tako charge of my business, 1 I shall not let it go from me ; and I shal leave it in your hands, knowingthat both it and you will prosper. What say you e ' Mr. Vanderlain Y ' Ah, my boy, I havo seen your wife. ] found her crying for joy. And when she told me whence her joy cauie, I knew there was joy also. To the new man J give my entire confidence, and in his hauds I fear not to trust my name anc my honor. It was Arthur Gravely's turn now to weep ; andhecould no more have helpedit than he could have prevented the great flood of peace and blessedness that flowed in upon his hoart. ' My doar boy,' said the bankor, afterwards, ' I did not speak to you in other times as perhaps I ought. I knew how you treated others who did speak, and I t'orebore. I had intended to speak, however, before I went away, and, if possible, to get you a good place. But it is all done now. God bless and keep you.' And now, looking back, Arthur Gravely soes how near upon the fearful brink he stood. From the position of wealth and honor and love, he can see the dark pit from which he escaped, and he sees hundreds upon hundreds sinking into it yearly. He helps the falling ones when he can, and íinds unfailing satisfaction in the work.