Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-09-13
"We are liauor-dealers."

The little old woman staggered slight
ly, almost ss if the winey fumes began TO
affect her. Then she turned, with GER
tain timid ierceness, to George Locke,
standing in the doorway, pale and dis
concerted.
"Why did that man send Inc to
find news of my daughter here-at
saloon?"
Young Daniels face flushed. He
could hardly have gotten a keener stab
than this, that struck home to his own
deep sense of shame in his business
There was something very noble and
brave in the young mans nature, subject
as he had been to lifelong evils of cir
cumstance-surrounding and training.
George Locke hardly knew which ofthe
two he most pitied, as he interposed:
"Oh,. that's simple enough. You see,
all tho nowS hOrn outoido comes here to
Daniels first. Jack"-with a look of
meaning and caution-"have you heard
how Carrie is getting along with her new
school, over at Flintville? This lady is
her mother. She don't know just where
Carrie is now."
His peculiar emphasis put ON guard
the young man, ready-witted and clever.
and educated to quick expedients by the
practical exigencies of the section.
"No," replied young Daniel, pleasant
/ L.. g. ,,o;l hoo on,,,a IN, Vo,, Unorp
she only went over to Flintville last
Monday. Well hear from her to-mor-
row or next day."
"We might 60 around to the hotel, and
make sure" said George Locke. "Mrs.
Piatt, will you await me here-oh l as
sure you there is no impropriety. The
most irreproachable ladies of the camp
make no scruple of ceming in here to see
the collection of minerals and ores.
These things are different on the from
tier, you know. Here, Henry, will you
show Mrs. Piatt your cabinet?"
|
"Your plan seems to me far-fetched
and melodramatic," said young Daniel,
gloomily.
George Locke had unfolded his plan
of action, based on information his prot
egee had given in their slow walk from
the postofice to Daniels"
But all the Southerner's magnetic elo-
quence could not convince the younger
man.
at is a bit theatrical" Mr.. Locke con-
ceded; "but practicable, l think. At all
events it's our only salvation"
what is the use to discuss the mat
ter" said Jack Daniel, bitterly. "Mrs.
French would no more let the Aylmer
come into her house, for any purpose
whatever, than she would 60 down to
the Continual ann accompany the Ayl-
mer in one Of her songs p
Mistake, Jack. You don't know
Mary French's true heart and sweet
womanly charity as l DO. Jack, it's a
great pity you two could not have met
On equal ground. Or failing that, it's a
, pity you ever met at all. Confound
this free and easy frontier life A! In any
place where social regulations exist
,, Mary French would never have come in
contact with a man in your position, and
you'd have been spared deal of suffer.
ing" .
what's the matter with you tonight"
For, indeed, this turning the knife in
|, another's wound was most uncharitable
of George Locke, the tactful. He put his
: hand on the young mans shoulder
"Jack," he said-and the tenderness o1
. his tone was like the tenderness of a fa
ther-"Jack, don't you know / saw how
deep q wound you got tonight from
: Carries mother? You're fighting against
/ your own soul, Jack. as well as against
, your love. Give it up and go away from
this. Begin all over in new country
! and with Mary French-I believe you
could do it. You ought. Nature made
|: you for each other"
"See here" said Daniel, doggedly, ri
!. you want to risk your own fate, don't lei
any scruple about interfering with roe
J. deter you. I've had my little lesson;
: shall never aspire to Mrs. French's hanf
!, again. Meanwhile, that poor old soul il
: left, forlorn and weary, in place thai
; seems to her pollutiug, no doubt. Lei
# us get back to her."
"Jack," said Locke, 81 will tell you 9
bit of a secret. 1 am not a marryins
man. was married at twenty anC
within q year my wife became insane
Hereditary-but it had been kept from
:. her, poor grill She has been in an asy
;, lum these twelve years. Now, as you
Il say, let us return to Mrs. Piatt. Make
some excuse for my leaving her, anC
o daily about for while, before you brins
: her up to Mrs. French's. must have
!. time to explain to Mary"
"An right; but you understand hav'
l. nothing to do with to morrow's business
q Barney Heiman will help you. He'i
n Just the man-horest, and hearty, anC
true; not 90 overburdened with style a
some of the fellows who rank him."
e you'll come with Carrie, yourself,
t. said George Locke, bluntly.
q mot 1! Good Godl don't yeu see tn,
: difficulty of the situation?-the delicacy
How can l meet Mary French in com
g panv with the Aylmer"
% "None tie less you will do it. Precise
Ia ly for the reason of your complicated re
lations, we don't want Barney Heiman
% or any other, involved. Come, Jack
brace up, and have some style abou
I you" said Locke, Disgusting his symps
| thv in slam "YOu must meet the oh