The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-12-14

when she heard the next morning that
Paul had spent the night at Ffolliott's
drinking and brawling till dawn.
The next Sunday Mary shut herself
within her log cabin, and neither the blue.
sky nor the gay cart and smartly oapari-
soned hose nor Beauty Paul himself could
wheedle her out She would not be seen,
she said sternly. with one Of Ffolliotts
lot. She, however, refented and forgave
him on his promise to amend for her sake.
As weeks and months went by and the
green of the canyon changed to red and
gold Paul found that II he was to ''look
after Mary he had to give up the saloon.
And indeed for a space Ffolliott's knew
him not till one October morning his al
lowance-the money which bought his
family freedom from his disgraceful pres
ence-arrived from England. For the next
week Ffolliott's was a pandemonium,
with TIE Beauty as presiding demon.
Mary heard of 1t and refused to speak
to or look at him. Then it was that he
flung himself before her one day and pray
ed her to save him from that from which
he was powerless to save himself-from
drink and dice and bad companions. And
she did what other good women have done
before her and will do again. She placed
her hand in his, and with her heart full
Of RUDE Halse she promised to marry Paul
for his souls sake.
All through that long, bitter winter she
held to her promise. At Christmas he
broke from her control, and she did not
speak to him for days, but she ended by
forgiving When he was with Mary, he
vowed to reform, not to set foot In Ffol-
Hott's again, never to taste another drop
Of whisky nor look again at a card. But
once beyond the sound of her low once
the touch of her small hand, and his reso-
buttons melted like the winter SHOWS.
The eve of their marriage day arrived
and with 1t Pauls allowance from Eng
land. The occasion and the opportunity
suggested carouse, and Paul informed
the boys" he would be standing treat Mt
Ffolliott's that night for the last. time
The bar was soon crowded, for the Beauty
was just the song singing, yarn telling.
whisky drinking scamp who would be
popular among the wild crew, especially
as he stood treat so long as the bartender
would stand him.
Paul was full Of liquor. He had drunk
Mary's health with every man in the place,
and he was also full of luck for once in q
way. A pile of gold lay before him on
the table, and he was just proposing an
other round in Mary's honor when big
Bill Redfern strobe in and was greeted
with a shout of Hello, Bill You backf
What luck, pardS"
Luck, my ladsf leave luck to fools
and deadbeats. I've been working, and
thank God I've worked for something.
I've put my sweat and muscle into the
ground, and I've struck ore. None Of
your dust or pockets, but a vein as broad
as an ox's back and as long as q river,
and SO I've come back with Rube"-
Paul looked up with start His eyes
flashed, and he seemed to grow sober In o
moment as the situation presented itself.
Here was he drunk In gambling hell on
the eve Of his marriage with Mary, and
RUDE had come back.
What did you sayf" he muttered-
II said Rube and had come back. But
don't let me disturb the game"
THE game is upl" cried Paul, with an
oath, as he struck the table and made the
money jingle.
Had bad luck, ehi" said Bill. Sorry
for you"
Keep your sorrow to yourself and your
partner, Reuben Halse.''
Come, come" said Bill good humored-
ly, "have a drink. I'm standing trent,
and, as to Rube, here's his health and
Mary's."
Pm standing treatr' shouted Paul,
springing up. Have a drink with me!''
And with this he flung his liquor in Bills
face and made rush at him
A pistol flashed, pale blue puff of smoke
died In the hot air, and Beauty Paul lay
stone dead on Ffolliott's floor
Some of them went up to the postoffioe
to break the news to Mary. There was q
light In the window and by it they saw
RUDE and she sitting talking. Quietly
and with bowed heads they left tho cot
tage and returned to Ffolliott's without
fulfilling their mission.
Next day rough and ready jury, hav-
ing considered all the circumstances Of the
case and with due appreciation Of Bin
Redfern's proves as a dead shot, decided
that Paul had oourted on purpose a cor
tain death, and they returned verdict Of
suicide while Of unsound mind. Chi
cago Times.