Three months from the day on which John Barclay had mentioned to his sister that he entertained a regard for Helen Weston, he made proposals of marriage to that young lady, which were accepted.
"But how in regard to his pledge?" I hear some one ask.
O, as to that, it was kept, rigidly. Nothing that could intoxicate was allowed to touch his lips. Of course, he was at first frequently asked to drink by his associates, but his reply to all importunities was—
"No—I have sworn off for six months."
"So you have said for the last six months," remarked young man, named Watson, one day, on his refusing for the twentieth time to drink with him.
"Not for six months, Watson. It is only three months this very day since I swore off."
"Well, it seems to me like six months, anyhow. But do you think that you feel any better for all this total-abstinence?"
"O as to that, I don't know that I feel such a wonderful difference in body; but in mind I certainly do feel a great deal better."
"How so?"
"While I drank, I was conscious that I was beginning to be too fond of drinking, and was too often painfully conscious that I had taken too much. Now, I am, of course, relieved from all such unpleasant feelings."