OR, CLARENCE MORTEMER. 109

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lieve that those boys realized what a dread-
ful wrong they were doing to Clare and his
mother by planning this thing; still, they
knew it was wrong,.and they were wholly
without excuse. "They only wanted to do
it, because Mrs. Mortimer’s | principles re-
buked them, and so they wanted to grieve
and mortify her. How must such thoughts
and such conduct as theirs appear in the
sight of a pure and holy God! There was
every probability that this plan would have
succeeded, however, and Clare had just
"raised his glass to his lips after having filled —
it the third time, when a most unexpected
) interruption occurred. The glass was sud-
‘denly dashed from Clare’s hand, and a voice —
said, close in his ear — | "

6 Clare! | Clare ! What are you about? |
Remember your promise 1?

ae