Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-30

silken masses. she made a beautifu, On
pearanCe. "p-
~, Inc ceremony over the young missionary
was turning to take his leave, when old
PROCTOR stepped forward, with a strange
glean In his eyes, and announced that a
oan ,,,so would follow the wedding.
Almost instantly the fiddlers began thu
room was cleard. and soon the cabin began
to shake with shutting feet Proctor did
most OF the calling for the dance. DC
casionaily he would disappear and return,
eacn time his face growing redder and
showing more ami more the effects of
liquor. 80 VI
Sabtna became uneasy. Once she left
JACKS side and begged of her father to
drink no more; but he shook her from him
roughly. He was soon tmmanageable and
foisterous and began to pass the bottle
openly from guest to guest and insisted on
them drinking with him.
why don't you dance, young man." said
he, coming up and grasping Jack by the
arm. IF you think you are too good to
dance in my house then here's somebody
pointing to one of his companions already
under the Influence OF the liquor.
you white men come in here and think
you can run the country. but you can't in
my house: SO you had better get ou.
Sabina is lots too good for you, anyhow"
Sabina had her face buried in ner hands
She knew her fathers terrible temper and
qua"relsome disposition when under the in
1uence of liquor.
Come with me. Jack. and don't mind
father; it's the whisky" she whispered, and
moment later, unnoticed by the drunken
man, she led the way into a small room at
tached TO the cabin which Sabina called Ter
own and in which most of her girlhood had
been spent. A dim candle revealed a rude
pine table in the centsr of the room, beside
which were two homemade chairs. On
the table were few books and trinkets
which Jack had from time 10 time given
her, and innumerable cheap and unframed
pictures-some representing her own poor
effort at art-dec grated the walls of the
apartment. A single window opened out to
the west.
In that direction dark LIQUIDS We're moving
swiftly across the face of the pale moon
and Jack seemed to see somethins omnous
and dreadful in their inky blackness. He
could hear the muff1ed sound of music and
shutting feet in the adjoining room which
was occasioaly pierced by the sharp calls
of the prompter.
Suddenly the two were aroused by a
brutal oath from Proctor, who the next in
slant pushed the door open and staggered
into tie room. In his hand he held a mur-
derous-looking six-shooter. For a moment
the drunken man stood glazing at Jack
who had risen to his feet. Then, with an
unsteady hand, Proctor presented the wea-
pom squarely at Jacks breast.
Sabna saw what her fathers Intentions
We're, and screamed.
Jack saw for an instant the glittering
muzzle of the pistol pointed directly at his
heart: he felt his arm clutched and a
white-robed figure darted past him. There
was deafenng report; and Jack almost at
the same instant sprang forward and
snatched the smoking pistol from Proctor S
hands.
Then he turned and, as the smoke drifted
away. he saw Sabna standing with horror
stricken eyes and both hands clasped to
her breast. With outstretched arms she
tottered toward Jack, and as he caught
her in his arms a low, appealing moan es-
capped her lips. Jack held the wounded girl
in his arms for moment and then laid
her on the bed in the corner of the room;
and he did so a tear tricisled down his
sunburnt cheek-the first he had shed for
many a year.
Poor father!'' whispered the dying girl
forgive him, Jack; it was the whisky that
did it."
Her grasp suddenly frightened on Jacks
hand; she raised her brown eyes to his for
a moment and then closed them slowly
forever.