The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-17
MRS. Drinks CHARGE.
Old Levi Finally Had to Admit the
Love He Felt for Her.

Love He Felt for Her.
'lf it was in the shape of horse-hesh,
now, it would be profitable invest
ment; but tell you it will be bill of
expense from the very first and a per-
feet nuisance all the WHILE" And Farm
er Brink rose and prepared to leave the
room.
But Levi, we're perfectly able to
bear the expense" Mrs. Brink ventured
land | will look after her myself"
Its all foolishness to think about it,
| tell you" he replied, Grossly. at will
take round sum to clothe her decently
they have alwaysbeen poor as beggars),
and want every cent to buy that blooded
colt of Robeson's." This time the door
was shut decisively, and Mrs. Brink was
left alone with her thoughts and disap-
pOintment.
They had two children of their own
both boys and both almost men grown.
Harry, the youngest, was ''as tall as
mother" and Rob could ''chin" Harry
without particle of trouble. Mrs.
Drinks love for little girls had finally
settled upon Alice Mitchell, sweet,
little, brown-haired baby of three years.
who was left an orphan without living
relative.
Its just too bad, anyhow" moaned
Mrs. Brink to herself, land wicked, too:
sOr the poor little thing will 60 to the
Orphans Home, no doubt, and she's fit
to grace any ones home" And her tears
fell on the folded hands.
iii clOthe her out of my own allow
ance, and then Levi must give in.
dislike to cross him, but he's in the
wrong, I'm sure; I'll go and tell him my
decision while l am so determined"
She passed out of the house, and was
sorry to see him busy with one of his
fancy horses, for she felt them all as
barriers in her way. Mrs. Brink had
never been wife who would ''hold her
own," as they term it, and her husband
showed much establishment at her words
We'll, Levi, I've finally decided to
take Alice and clOthe her out of my own
Allowance. AS for the annoyance, /
shouldn't wonder if you had to put up
with few kisses and merry laughs
now and then; but l reckon it won't
hurt you any. And, by the way, let
Harry harness horse right away and
I'll 60 after her." She turned toward the
house just in time to hide sort of broad
smile which somehow ended in sob.
ltwasn't because she did not want Alice,
but because she must, for once, oppose
her husband
Little Alice was brought to the house
that very day, and if you want to know
whether the merry laughs and pretty
''Oh, obs" wakened up all the echo
sprites around the old home, you want
to ask Mrs. Brink, and Rob, and Harry,
and-yes-Mr. Brink, too; for his wife
caught him listening to the baby's
merry chatter as he paused in the hall
The dear little child settled down into
the place that had always been vacant,
as if she had been expecting it all her
short lifetime. She never suspected the
man OF the house was her enemy, but
would pat his hands, throw kisses at him
from the doorway as he started away for
his days work, and followed him around
from pig-pen to stable.
She asked questions by the score.
whether answered or not; and some
times. when Mr.. Brink was sure no hui
man ear was near, he would call her
allie" and ask if she liked her new
home. But if Mrs. Brink came down to
look after her he would say:
II do wish, Lucy, you'd keep your
charge away from me. She's worse to
have around under your feet than lit
ter of pigs"
Then Mrs. Brink would catch the lit
tie happy thing swing her upon her
shoulder and go off to see the little
young chicks which had just arrived,
and which Alice persisted in calling
little brides"
So the weeks slipped by, happier than
weeks had ever been before to Mrs.
Brink, and Harry, and Rob; and, at
least, no sadder to Mr.. Brink. The
boys made Alice playhouse in an out
door cellar. where she played half of her
time.
Near this cellar was an old we'll that
had been covered over with boards
for year or so. Mrs. Brink was great
ly frightened one day to see one of the
boards pushed off; stopping to replace
it, she was amazed to find none of them
nailed, but merely laid loosely over the
opening
AS soon as her husband appeared al
dinner-time she said:
did you know, Levi, that old we'll is
very unsafe?"
Unsafe for what?"
For Alice, in particular. You know
her playhouse is near it, and she might
fall il any time"
Learn her to keep her place, then;
amt time to go around and smooth tho
place for her feet" he returned, GROSSLY.
But just think, Levi, it may cost .
life, little, precious, human life. so
dear to us ALL
Farmer Brink laughed sneeringly as
they seated themselves around the din
ner table.
Little Allie seemed to take especial
pains to please Mr.. Brink, much to his
discomfort; for he was not really .
heartless man, although he would ra-
Their have been considered such than to
confess to his wife that Allies presence
was source of pleasure to him.
He never spoke of her before any ono
IN any other way than s.Xour .charRe.@@