The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-03-20
,ent Nation Mavne recopnized Avis.

ment Melton Mayne recognized Avis.
'.Leb m be, | tell you!' exclaimed
the man, giving her furious push
which sent her reeling to one side of
the road.
The next moment the drunken mans
collar was in Melton's strong grasp.
What are you doing?' he cried,
giving his prisoner a not very gentle
shake. How dare you strike wom-
an?"
'-Ohr' cried Avis breathlessly.
''Oh, l beg of you, don't hurt him! He
is my father"
Melton looked at her, and released
his mold with an air of disgust and great
detection.
Il must get him home, said Avis,
who was trembling like leaf.
Can help you?'
mo, no--only please 90 away
She took her fathers arm, and with
a beseeching look of anxiety into the
sodden face, started again.
Melton looked after them. This,
then, was Avis's affiiction-the drunk
en- disgraceful father she could scarce
ly inf CT upon a husband--a burden she
must bear alone The tears filled his
| eyes as he watched her delicate frame
trying TO support her companions un-
steady steps.
1t was a trying sight for the young
man to behold. He shut his teeth and
muttered some threatening words; but
it was only too evident that, for some
reason, Avis dreaded his interference.
| Perhaps she knew her gentle patience
TO no aNaot,,a1 anntba,.'5 Is
| force would be.
The two stopped before one of the
smallest and neatest of the houses. but
at the gate Avis's father pushed her oft.
Get out!'
''Oh, father. dear father"
Get in, if you want to. I'm going
| back. | want something more to
drink. and I'm going to have it. Do
you think I'm a fool to be pulled
around by a girl? Leb m be, tell ye
againr'
Bat Avis clung to his arm.
Come in for moment. Supper is
| all ready. Oh father-'
Such a cruel blow on the pretty up
turned forehead.
A cry of agony, and the Girl fell.
Melton sprang forward now, but it
was through a strange cloud of dust,
the sound of cries, the whirling of
wheels, then all cleared.
He stood looking down upon the
dead man lying in the middle of the
road with his face upturned to the twi-
light sky-Avis's father
The hoofs OF the maddened runaway
horses had anticipated his vengeance
more than avenged the cruelty he had
been wild to resent, for the man would
never speak again.
But Avis was only stunned. She
moaned as he bent over her and then
he took her up in his arms.
A little maid came out from the tiny
cottage, and the neighborS gathered
aboat.
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but the
Lord is good" muttered one as they
examined old Mr.. Earle and found him
stone-dcad.
Hell never strike her again, poor
lamb. " exclaimed another
What she's borne with himi' cried
still another But you'll see she'll
mourn as if he had been the best father
in the world
1t was thought best to place the body
of the dead man in one OF the unoccu-
pied cottages, as Avis S condition might
prove dangerous, and it might be found
best to keep the news from her as long
as possible. And for two days she wan
dered in her mind and was quite delir-
ious.
The funeral had taken place and all
was over before the doctor consented to
the danger Of communicating the truth
to her. 1t was Melton who undertook
the task.
She could not but feel the tenderness
of his gaze as he pityingly regarded
her, and gently extended her hand.
You are so good! Oh. hope you
did not blame me that night by the riv-
er. l did not like to tell you how it
was with me and with my father-he
was a good father once, he was indeed
Drink ruined him, killed my mother,
brought us all so low. Oh, have suf-
fered-you cannot guess. But you
know how it is now | could infi:ct no
such disgrace upon another, and | must
stay with my father"
But if there has been change,
Avis-you know all circumstances are
liable to change-and If your father
need suffer no more, nor cause you to
suffer-
Her eyes widened with alright as she
caught his arm.
He is dead! He never would reform!
Oh, he is dead!'
And he must needs suffer her to weep
undisturbed.
All respected her natural grief, and
none dared whisper in her presence
that the death of the selfish and self-in-
dulgent man was considered by them
matter for congratulation, but after
weeks of pallor and weakness, Avis
began to brighten and bloom as never
before since Melton Mayne had known
her.
Without restraint, now, she welcom-
ed HIM TO her little home; and when he
asked, with earnest eyes. is it No,
now, AvisP" she gent y shook her pret-
ty brown head once more, and answer
ed:
''Instead, it is yes"