ter social sentiment and
a better custom."

"All very nicely said," replied Mr. Birtwell, "but I'd like to see the
man brave enough to give a large fashionable party and exclude wine."

"So would I. Though every lip but mine kept silence, there would be one
to do him honor."

"You would be alone, I fear," said the husband.

"When a man does a right and brave thing, all true men honor him in
their hearts. All may not be brave enough to stand by his side, but a
noble few will imitate the good example. Give the leader in any cause,
right or wrong, and you will always find adherents of the cause. No, my
husband, I would not be alone in doing that man honor. His praise would
be on many lips and many hearts would bless him. I only wish you were
that man! Spencer, if you will consent to take this lead, I will walk
among our guests the queenliest woman, in heart at least, to be found
in any drawing-room this season. I shall not be without my
maids-of-honor, you may be sure, and they will come from the best
families known in our city. Come! say yes, and I will be prouder of my
husband than if he were the victorious general of a great army."

"No, thank you, my dear," replied Mr. Birtwell, not in the least moved
by his wife's enthusiasm. "I am not a social reformer, nor in the least
inclined that way. As I find things I take them. It is no fault of mine
that some people have no control of their appetites and passions. Men
will abuse almost anything to their own hurt. I saw as many of our
guests over-eat last night as over-drink, and there will be quite as
many headaches to-day from excess of terrapin and oysters as from
excess of wine. It's no use, Margaret. Intemperance is not to be cured
in this way. Men who have a taste for wine will get it, if not in one
place then in another; if not in a gentleman's dining-room, then in a
drinking-saloon, or somewhere else."

The glow faded from Mrs. Birtwell's face and the light went out of her
eyes. Her voice was husky and choking as she replied:

"One fact does not invalidate another. Because men who have acquired a
taste for wine will have it whether we provide it for them or not, it
is no reason why we should set it before the young whose appetites are
yet unvitiated and lure them to excesses. It does not make a free
indulgence in wine and brandy any the more excusable because men
overeat themselves."

"But," broke in Mr. Birtwell, with the manner of one who gave an
unanswerab