Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-10-27

house like one mad. BY the time he
was half way to the Reindeer, he was
perfectly sober.
Gould she have meant what she saidY'
he asked himself over and over again.
Presently carriage came down from
the lighted tavern ON the hill, and, as it
passed him, woman's voice rang out,
singing the chorus
We won't go home till morning!
1t was his wifes voice. He caught Mt
the horses head, frantic with rage.
Dolly's pretty curly head looked out AS
the vehicle stopped.
Frank, old fellow-hic-is that you?
Get in-hic-get in! Why didn't you
come up?-hlc, Oh we'd Jolly time
hic-we did! Don't blame you for going
out Frank. Didn't know it was so
pleasant-h -hic-I-I mean to go every
night"
you do?" he gasped, leaping into
the seat beside her. Grasping her arm,
he muttered, Ever dare to do such a
thing again, and yonll be no wife of
mine?"
Dolly laughed uproario usly.
Nonsense, Frank! Let me do as you
do; that's fair. Let go my arm! You
hurt me! Besides, you'll break my flask
of prime brandy! Frank, taste drop. "
He caught it from her hand and flung
it out of the window.
"Bah" said Dolly, her cheeks tlusheh,
her hair awry, Il wish I'd stayed at the
Reindeer etc. What makes you so
cross, Frank?"
'Hush! Say no more, Dolly" he an
swered, his teeth set hard. Il can't
bear it. II may do something I'll be
sorry for. Keep SILENT don't want
any more crooked words"
Rams horns, if 1 die for it,, cried
Dolly.
Then she clapped her hands and
laughed gleefully, breaking off into
moonlight night for ramble!
Frank let his head fall into his hands.
Good heavens~ he groaned; 81
would rather have died than have seen
this night"
He got her home and into her own
room at last, but she was very unman-
ageable, and persisted III cutting mp all
manner of capers-dancing and singing
her cheeks flushed and her hair
streaming, and asking if they would
not go again another night-it was such
fun.
His pretty, modest little Dolly! Long
after she had fallen into n sound sleep
her husband sat over the smouldering
fire with his face hidden in his hands.
dolly" he said, when she awoke late
on the following morning, what hap
pened last night must never happen
again.
She looked up with her old clear eyes.
Very well, Frank that is for You to
say. Just as you do, so will |"
He was silent moment.
81 would rather die than see what |
saw last night over again" he said.
Frank, she said, her lips quivering,
"Ive seen the same sight once or twice
every week since the day married you,
and God only knows what it has cost
me-"
He caught her close to his heaving
breast.
'Poor little wife!" he almost sobbed,
"you shall never see such a sight again.
l shall sign the pledge to-day"
Frank, said his pretty wife one day,
as they watched their children playing
ON the lawn, 'I fooled you handsomely
that night; it was all make-believe. |
didn't go to the Reindeer that night, and
not drop of the hateful stuff had
passed my lips. Didn't l fool you that
night, and cure you in the bargain?"
"You little wltch!" he cried, but the
instant after his eyes filled eyes,
Dolly" he said, drawing her close to
his side, "you cured me of a habit that
would have been my ruin. Heaven bless
Won for iti"