The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-03

gin my married life as temperate
man-a teetotaler-thaFs the only
way-nO half-measures VIII do for me-
Little Gertie VIII help me, too /
should never have been the worthless
dog am II mother had lvedl But
Gertie viii help me, and I'll give st all
up for her salSel Suppose 7 have all
this trash taken out at once. My
rooms look like bar-room, numbered
with bottles and glasses I'll have
EN- all out while the notions on me. p
He bounded to his feet. and rang
the bell A servant entered, almost
on the instant with a package ia his
hand
The young man tore away the wrap
per, and his cheek flushed and his eye
Frightened as he saw the cleaning
silver tissue and the daintily -directed
card-''A birthday present from
Gertrudel'
He tore it open with eager fingers
by Jovei'' he cried, a look Of blank
disappointment on his face, sit S.
wine set"
He set it out upon the marble table.
where the afternoon sunlight
streamed in. bringing out all its rich
tints, till il blazed like a mass Of gold
and rubies He lighted a second
Havana. and smoked fercely, while
he looked at it, his handsome face
sober with conflicting thoughts AZ
last he arose with a deep-drawn
breath.
well it is use TO send out the
wine bottles now" he said ~
mustn't slight Gertie's present-such
costly affair, too-ht for king e.
drink from. So here poest~
He caught up a bottle. and. dllinQ
every glass in the dainty set. pro-
ceeded to drink their contents in
rapid succession; and the falling
twilight closed upon him, flushed ez7-
cited, with feverish FIRE "a his eyes.
and a reckless abandon ia his manner.
His last state babe fair to be worse
than his first
They had been man and wife for
nearly three years, pretty Gertrude
and Alfred Montrose. There were
two babies, frail little things. cling
ing to the young mothers slrir6s, aa
she sat in her cherries lodgings. The
handsome house in Regent street hncL
been sold the very first year of 1heir
marriage.
Mr.. Montrose was doing cutie bad
"; he had squandered his fortuno. and
fallen to the low degree Of a bar room
sot. Gertrude's yvild-rose bloom was
rapidly fading, and there were wrin-
kles on her white forehead She
frettad and scolded at the little vvan-
faced babes shat clung to her Dress
and the unmotherly ill-temper spoiled
all her sweet beauty. and gave her
face a sour, ugly look.
BY and by. as the wintry afternoon
closed, her husband came slouchine
ina shabby, addressed man, with
the look of idle vagabond. The
babies shranlS away at the sight of
him.
mo supper YETI" he said. erumy.
tum bling himself into a seat sfIVhae
the deuce are you at all the time, that
you can't have a mouthful for a man
when he comes iu9'
There's nothing in the house to
cook" replied Gertrude. beginning to
cry IN a peevish, childish manner.
''and not a cent to buy any. and I and
the children are half-starved. ann
going back to father, Alfred; Won't
stand this treatment any longer If
I had known what 1 know now, I
never would have married You
neveri"
The mans besotted face softened
with a nome ntary CLEAN of human
feeling. He looked at his wan. faded
young wife, with the wan little
babies clinging to her skirts
Poor Gertie," he half sighed, chow
bright and pretty she used to bel
have treated her shabbily. by Georges
But reforms out of the question now
1t is too late! 1 was on the right
road once. and ] believe should have
kept in it--by Heaven, l dol-if that
Internal Bohemian wine set hadn't
turned up Twas your own fault
Gertie-your birthday gift made nae
what l am, so don't find fault with
me-"
siowness OF Armv ProD,otr,o.