The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-02-27
field is out by the WELT She is cola


Mrs. Oxgate's face hardened into
lines of stone Miss Comfort Peabody
drew her skirts close around her with
an Involuntary r,otenent and Mrs.
Peabody looked hard into the bowl of
her teacup. -.
"Then let her stay cold and hungs
for al of me! Joanna Elield is no
associate for either yon or me, Dora j
She has run away from home, and acted
with common. strolling play actors
she has sung at. low colcertp instead of
keeping that fine voice. OF hers for the
temple of the Lord-she has, of her own
tree will, given up all that is decent
and reputable, and people do say that
she has taken to drinking And you
expect me to opcn my door to such as
her :"
Mrs. Peabody uttered sympathetic
groap.,. =.
"Bet mamma" taltered Dora, halt
frightened at her own bpldness. ''doh't
you remember that He came to call, not
the righteous. but sinners 10 repent
ance ?"
"silence, girl! How dare yon quote
The Scriptures to me ?'' cried Mrs. Jx-
gate, her stern brows clouding over
darkly. Bring in that pail of water at
once, and let us haye no further dis
CUSTOM"
Thus rebuffed, Theodore Oxgate
crept back into the chill, frosty twilight
detected and empty handed.
"Ah," said Joanna Elfield, shortly.
81 thought how it would be. Well,
it's nothing new. Eye'ybody's doors
are closed sg sinst me-"
SIS it true, Joanna 20 whispered
Dora, coming close to her.
SIS what true ?'
"'rhat you drink i
sOf course it's true. 1oa would
drink if you were driven as am. Driv-
Ell and hunted There are times when
you wonil sell your whole soul for q
chance to be found in-drink
"Oh, Joanna, l am sorry for yon.''
''Sorry say that again, lass people
have mostly lett off being sorry for me-"
sail Jcanna with hard laugh.
"Bnt listen, Joanna. Do be serious.
Won't you do differently 2"
81 am not so bal as the folks think
me, Dora Oxgate, except the horrid
craving for drink. ! have been nothing
worse than wild and wi.Ifl:l Believe
me, child, for it is Gods truth. Only,
wien girl gets on the down hill
every Christian man or woman thinks
it is their duty to give her yet another
pt'sl."
"Then you will try to retrieve your
own seTt?"
GLOW canI? What is there left for
me 2"
:.'Youf superb soice, Joanna"
"Yon would have me sing myself in
to Fespectability, eh? And IN The mean
time should starve"
''You need not starve, J Joanna. Here"
Quick as lightning, size drew small
gold chain. with locket si,sped like
heait dangling at its end, from her
NECK.
"Dear Joanna, take this. 1t is WORTH
money, I know, and it is all have in
the world To give. Sell 1t aud use the
money for yonr own nce,ls.''
Joanna Elfleld started vaguely at the
gleaning trinket.
"Ate. you in Earnest, Dora ?''
''Of course am. Hush: Mother is
calling me. I must CO."
God bless you for this" said joan
ma huskiiy. "43ud, Dora -one word
more /; Pm lonely. Joanna Elfield, but
1t you will, let me kiss you just once"
:. by the way Of answer, Theodore Ok
gate threw her arms around the tall
girls neck, and pressed her soft, cold
lips close TO tie others cold mouth.
And as she did so. something plashed
on her tteck-a hot, round tear.
The next minute Joanna Eltield dis /
appeared into the world Of shadoWsI
that was lowering over all the antuhln
landscape. And as sfe went sl,e mdFrs-
n1ared, unconscious that She was speak
ing, aloud
''some one beIieves ID me Jet IN
me It's . strange sensation. and yet
~ gives. one something to live. for,
after ali p
!. Dora. Theodora! Why don'.
you answer But 10 ons thinks ii
werth while to listen tome lowadaYs!,'
II Vas Mrs. Oxgate's shrill, piping