to get food until
but little remains, and the daughter, brought face to face with want,
now steps forward to take the position of bread-winner."

"Has Mrs. Sandford engaged her?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Ethel is scarcely more than a child. Deeply as Mrs. Sandford feels for
her, she cannot give her a place of so much responsibility. And
besides, she does not think it right to let her remain where she is.
The influence upon her life and character cannot be good, to say
nothing of the tax and burden far beyond her strength that she will
have to bear."

"Does she propose anything?"

"Yes. To save the children and let the father go to destruction."

"She would take them away from him?"

"Yes, thus cutting the last strand of the cord that held him away from
utter ruin."

A groan that could not be repressed broke from Mr. Elliott's lips.

"This must not be--at least not now," added Mrs. Birtwell, in a firm
voice. "It may be possible to save him through his home and children.
But if separated from them and cast wholly adrift, what hope is left?"

"None, I fear," replied Mr. Elliott.

"Then on this last hope will I build my faith and work for his rescue,"
said Mrs. Birtwell, with a solemn determination; "and may I count on
your help?"

"To the uttermost in my power." There was nothing half-hearted in Mr.
Elliott's reply. He meant to do all that his answer involved.

"Ah!" remarked Mrs. Birtwell as they talked still farther about the
unhappy case, "how much easier is prevention than cure! How much easier
to keep a stumbling-block out of another's way than to set him on his
feet after he has fallen! Oh, this curse of drink!"

"A fearful one indeed," said Mr. Elliott, "and one that is desolating
thousands of homes all over the land."

"And yet," replied Mrs. Birtwell, with a bitterness of tone she could
not repress, "you and I and some of our best citizens and church
people, instead of trying to free the land from this dreadful curse,
strike hands with those who are engaged in spreading broadcast through
society its baleful infection."

Mr. Elliott dropped his eyes to the floor like one who felt the truth
of a stinging accusation, and remained silent. His mind was in great
confusion. Never before had his own responsibility for this great evil
looked him in the face with such a stern aspect and with such rebuking
eyes.

"By example and invitation--nay, by almost irresistible enticements,"
continued Mrs. Birtwe