The Monitor., 1886-12-03
THE TURNING POINT.

ing. No wife would do that for man, no
The young man addressed sprang up
from his seat.
$50 with me, James, and you, too, Law
renee King, and I'll prove the truth of my
words. Ii Mary Lo Brnn does not cheer
fully get us up a supper fit for prince at
my asking--late though it be--you may
set me down for conceitcd idiot"
''All right Wen go. And if the mis-
tress does as you say, she's an angel; and
such an exacting man as you are is not
worthy of her.
The speaker was Lawric King fine,
manipulating fellow, whose face would
have been pleasant to see had it not car
ried upon it the traces of dissipation.
The three were boon companions, and
had been since their boyhood. am sorry
to say that the innocent fun and mischief
of that time bad degenerated into card
playing and a fondness for the Intoxicating
cup in their maturer years.
Donald lie Brun was the only one Of the
three married As is often the case, he had
won the heart of girl who deserved bet
ter fate. She was pretty and capable,
as the neighbors called it, and managed
her dairy with prime success. Her butter
and cheese always commanded the highest
market price.
Through all Donald's excesses she had
never given him an angry word; and he had
even now been making the boast that,
late as it was, il lie went home and asked
her to cook fine meal for him, she would
do it cheerrnly.
The young men were all in that conviyal
state when reason has not her full sway,
and anything strange or improbable takes
the fancy.
They at once caught at the proposition,
and went with Donald to his home ltwas
some two miles distant, and they made the
cold frosty air ring with their hilarious
mirtl for time.
Then Lawrie and James began to feel
uneasy and ashamed at the thought OF their
errand, and they tried to dissuade Donald
from it; but his pride was aroused. He
would not hear of a retreat, and being the
stronger nature he carried his point.
His wife came to the door. She looked
at him denbtfully, evidently fearing to find
him in the mautlin state which, alas! was
too often his condition.
Her face frightened suddenly when she
heard him say in his natural tone Of voice:
"Well, Molly, here I am. The bad
penny back again, and two others to keep
him company"
At this rather ambiguous introduction,
Lawre and James bowed shame facedly,
and Mrs. lie Brun said pleasantly:
Il am glad to see you. Come in.''
''That W. will, Molly, il you'll promise
to get some supper. I'm hungry as a bear.
Tell Jane to hurry up the fire.
"Jane has gone to her mothers for the
evening; but will get your supper, Don
ald.'
"All right. Hurry up, Come, boys,
let's have game of dominoes while we're
waiting
AS Mrs. LIE Brun left the room Donald
turned to his friends triumphantly:
81 told you SO. That girl would go
through fire and water for me; and un-
eomplainngly, too
81 tell you what, Donald, said Lawrie,
''the shoe ought to be ON the other foot.
II had wife like that"
''Wait until you get one, and then
preach" said Donald laughingly; but
something in his tones warned Lawric to
say no more, and they were soon engrossed
in their game.
An hour soon passed by before Mary LIE
Brun came in.
Come, Donald, all is ready" she said
pleasantly, and led the way to the kitchen.
1t was an immense room, with huge
cavernous fireplace, in which some logs
were sending out cheerful light, as they
snapped and cracked in consuming. Sus-
pended from the beams were tlitches OF
bacon and noble-looking smoked hams. All
round gave evidence of a careful industri-
Gus housewife.
| The table, too, was covered with snowy
linen cloth of Mary's own spinning and
weaving; and on it was daintily prepared
repast. Everything was perfect in its way,
from the crisp brown of the cold chicken
to the pale green of the pickles.
Mrs. lie Brun poured out cup of fra
grant Mocha for each of her guests, and
then seated herself at convenient distance
with her knitting.
For long time little was said as the
tempting viands disappeared. Then Don
aid called out:
''Cups are empty, Moll.n
And his wife came and rcfilled them.
Lawrie was the most impulsive of the
party, and many thoughts had seethed
through his busy brain as he sat at the
table.
Now, as he looked at the cemely face o
the hostess, he saw traces of sadness upor
il. underlying all it's studied cheerlulnes!
Of expression. He said suddenly, not stop
ping to think whether or not Donald woul,
be pleased:
What makes you so kind and pains
taking, Mrs. lie Bran? There isn't on
woman in thousand whe would do as yo'
have this evening" and, to tell the truth,