The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-08-19
THE TURNING POINT.

NON, bOn6ilNts to-ob OpI yoo SAAC
fooling. No wife would do that for
man, no matter how much she thought
of him."
The young man addressed sprang up
from his seat.
GO with me, James, and you, too,
Lawrence King, and I'll prove the truth
of my words If Mary lie Brun does not
cheerfully get us up supper fit for
prince at my asking-late though it be
you may set me down for conceited
idiot"
"All right. Wen go. And if the
mistress does as you say, she's an angel;
and such an exacting man as you are is
not worthy of her.
The speaker was Lawrie 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 had degen-
Grated into card-playing and fondness
for the intoxicating cupi in their maturer
years.
Donald LIE Brun was the only one Of
the three who had married. As is often
the case, he had won the heart of a girl
who deserved a better 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 of 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, if he went
home and asked her to cook fine meal
for him, she would do it cheerfully.
The young men we're all in that con-
vivial state when reason has not her full
sway, and anything strange or improb-
able takes the fancy.
They at once caught at the PROPOSE
ton, and went with Donald to his home.
1t was some two miles distant, and they
made the cold frosty air ring with their
hilarious mirth for Il 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 re-
treat, and being the stronger nature he
carried his point
His wife came to the door. She look
ed at him doubtfully, evidently fearing
10 find him in the maudlin state which,
alas! was too often his condition.
Her face frightened suddenly when
she heard him say in his natural tone
| of voice:
We'll, Molly, here l am. The bad
penny back again, and two others to
! keep HIM company"
At this rather ambiguous introduce
| ton, Lawrie and James bowed shame
facedly, and Mrs. LIE Brun said pleas
antly:
Il am glad to see you. Come in"
THAT we will, Molly, if you'll prom
ise to get some supper. I'm hungry as
| Il bear Tell Jane to hurry up the fire. "
Jane has gone to her mothers for
the evening; but | will get your supper,
| Donald"
"All right. Hurry up. Come, boys
let's have game of dominoes while
we're waiting"
As Mrs. LIE Brun left the room, Don
| aid turned to his friends triumphantly:
81 told you SO. That girl would go
| through fire and water for me; and un-
complainingly, too"
Il tell you what. Donald" said Law
rie, 1.-THE shoe ought to be on the other
foot. If had a wife like that"
''Wait till you get one, and then
| preach" said Donald laughingly; but
something in his tones warned Lawrie.
! to say no more. and they were soon en-
crossed 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 consum-
ing. Suspended from the beams were
tiitches of bacon and noble-looking
smoked hams. All round gave evidence
of q careful industrious housewife.
! The table, too, was covered with
| snowy linen cloth of Mary's own spin
ming and weaving; and on it was q
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
fragrant Mocha for each of her guests,
and then seated herself at q convenient
distance with her knitting.
For time little was said as the tempt
ing viands disappeared. Then Donald
called out:
Cups are empty, Moll.
And his wife came and reflled them.
Lawrie was the most impulsiye of the
party, and many thoughts had seethed
through his busy brain as he sat at the
table.
Now, as he looked at the comely face
of the hostess, he saw traces of sadness
| upon it, underlying all its studied cheer
fulness OF expression. He said sudden
ly, not stopping to think whether or not
Donald would be pleased:
.'What makes you so kind and pains.
taking, Mrs. lie Brun? There isn't one
woman in a thousand who would do as
YOU have this evening, and, to tell the
truth. | didn't believe it of you, or
wouldn't have come here and sanction
ed putting you to so much trouble.
; ] lust wanted the fun of seeing Donald