Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-12-20
would get interested in something

across the street till the former faced
front again. And 80 they kept on till
| the forward man entered door over
which the words "sample-room" shone
| in gilt letters.
Timothy followed thu file leader
whom he found seated at a small
table in the act OF calling for u ''gin
| fz."
Timothy sat down at another table
and compromised with his conscience
he was Good Templar-by order
ing lemonade 'straighL"
At length Timothy's and the
strangers eyes met. Neither would
longed mutual stare.
The man got up and staggered
across to Timothy.
"What dyer want along o. me?" he
demanded fiercely.
MAYBE that's it," he added, giving
no time TO answer and dashing the re-
mainder OF his "fiz" in Timothy's face.
anyhow you'll find it an improve
ment on the slop you're swilling
there"
Here was the opening Timothy had
longed for! He took no small pride in
his muscle and his science" In an
instant he was up and on guard, and
before his adversary knew what was
coming IA singing lelt-hander had clos
ed his right eye.
The combatants, it soon appeared,
were very equally matched. Blows
fell thick and fast. Right and left
they struck out neither taking time
to parry. Damage to the enemy, not
self preservation, became for the time
the primal law Nobody interfered,
and when the conflict ended it was
from sheer exhaustion victory perch
ing on neither banner
Timothy had himself put into cab
and driven to his lodgings, whittier a
doctor was summoned, for repairs.
Next morning as he lay. feeling as
battered and bruised in spirit as in
body, gentle tap came to the door.
Come inn growled Timothy, think
ing it was the landlady.
'Why. Tmothy!n cried sweet
voice, full of sympathy, "whatever's
the matter? | heard this morning you
were i'll and had had the doctor, but
didn't know you'd been IN IA railroad
smashup or been blown up on steam
boat, as | see you have. They didn' t
want TO let me see you, but | said |
would-it was my place TO nurse you.
How did it happen. Tim, dear?n
Emily Ryder" said Tim, sternly.
raising a corner of the beefsteak and
and giving her very black loo k in
deed, don't be hypocrite! | know
alll'
And when he had told her all he
knew-the story of his fight included
Emily burst into hearty laugh.
"l'm quite prepared for such heart
lessness, said Timothy. bitterly.
30 Tim. Tim! cried Emily. recover
ing her breath. I'm not hcartless-
I'm truly and sincerely sorry; but how
could you be such Ounce? Wait till
/ introduce Robin. left him out in
the carriage
And, running out she was back in a
minute carrying in her arms mite of
a Scotch terrier, that looked like
nothing but pair of glitterng eyes
peering from a wisp of Scotch heather.
Heres Robin, she said, depositing
him on Timothy's pillow, whence he
made vigorous dive at the beefsteak,
but his mistress caught his collar.
Hes present got while you were
away" said Emily. land the incest
little creature in the world. He was
stolen the other day. and | offered a
reward for his return-no questions to
be asked. Yesterday n queer-looking
man brought him home-the same, no
doubt that stole him. OF course | was
very glad to see Robin. and called him
darling, and kissed him, and made a
great to do over him. But you getting
into jealous quarrel and fighting
with dog thief-it's too funny for
anything!"
For Timothy's sake we drop the
curtain. Milwaukee Journal.