The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-01-20

iA'h A-A@ lnNal4 the NUtE quietly
II say there is something wrong. out
with it, Almira.' continued Tom. wishing
10 help her II she was i'm trouble OF any
kind. Almira made no reply and Tom
sprang up and INSTRUCTED her way.
Say. you're working too hard and Sis
ter Eleanor pays YOU beastly small wages.
III be bound Maybe its a new gown or
a bonnet you're grieving after-eh. Al
mira Here. take this and get it," And
before Almira could speak the impulsive
Tom had plunged his hands into pockets.
brought out a lot Of coin and pushed il
into her hands.
How dare you2" she demanded. so
choked up she could scarcely articulate.
Have l ever given YOU any reason. Mr..
Tom. TO treat me with such diSrespect2"
"Disrespect2" repeated Tom. very red
and astonished. do you think I meant
any disrespect TO YOU. Almira? I swear
] respect You more than any other woman
know, l only thought YOU were pining
for some of the pretty things most girls
like. and why shouldn't l do some good
with my useless money!"
Almira saw that he was honest i'm his
speech ald was appeased, but when he
asked anXiously: If IL isn't a gown or
hat. what in heavens name is it2" she
hurst into tears. and forgetting that she
was Mrs Munroe's servant-girl and that
Mr. Tom was her brother and rich man.
forgetting all save the trouble that was
wearing on her and making her pale and
thin. she poured out her woes into his
sympathizing ear.
She told him about the mortgage on their
farm, how it had been renewed from year
to year when the interest was paid. They
had grown so accustomed to that they had
never thought Of losing the place until Mr..
Pollers, ON taking the interest so hardly
earned and increased by Almiras savings,
had been Informed that his creditor needed
the money and must have il on the farm.
The blow had fallen like a clap OF thun-
der from clear sky. The thought of
leaving the old homestead was insupport-
able, and Vet where could Peter Pollers
expect to raise the money to cancel the
mortgage?
Almira told her story. punctuated by
sohs. and Tom listened attentively. When
she has finished, he asked: rs it large
sum. Almira?"
"oh, yes, Mir. Tom. s2ooo!' she said, sad
ly.
Hum" said TSu pulling his mustache
and looking very nard out Of the window.
Couldn't your father get some one to pay
the man and take up the MORTGAGE
Supposc-suppore- take II up. Al
mira ?'' ventured Tom. still looking out of
the window and getting very red again.
/ Astonishment and rapture appeared on
the girls face at his words.
DO you mean it 'Jr. Tom? oh, you are
too good she cr
"Boshw said Tom. brusquely. ITS
simply a good investment. Don't accuse
me of being good. Almira L m incorrgibly
bad, J am. But (hearinC footsteps ap-
proachins), run on. IN drive out and see
your father to-day and get the mortgage"
And without giving her moment TO eN-
press her thanks. he hurried on.
Not long after this Almira noticed that
Tom was drinking steadily. He took what
meals he ate at home alone. Mrs Munroe
declaring she would not and could not lend
him her countenance. The girl. as she
waited on him, felt a great deal of pity
for this man. who seemed so alone and
was wasting health and fortune lin dissi-
patton. and at last one morning when he
was LOOKING unusually used up and his
hands We're trembling that he could
hardly hold his cup, she again forgot the
! difference in their stations and spoke out
Mr. Tom" she said. I'm sorry for
+ you"
What! Sorry for me2 What do YOU
| mean, Almira? I'm having a jolly good
time. A short life and a merry one
/ that's My motto"
Almira shook her head and looked
at him steadily DO you never think
how much good you might do instead
of throwing yourself into little better
| than a beast2"
"Humph, That's pretty strong Ian
guage 1 must say" he growled.
But it's true, Mr.. Tom. if You keep
on youll sink lower and lOwer-oh, it's
dreadful to think of it." Almira shud-
dered as she picked up her tray and
/ left the table.
Hold there" said Tom. you don't
understand it, Almira. It's got such a
| hold on me. How can l shake il off?
I've got no one else to help me if / try. -"
/ and, weakened and unnerved as he was
the tears started to his eyes. Tell me
what to do
You can get down and pray to God
to help you" said Almira. solemnly,
land you can go to the cure. They say
it's wonderful what they can do. Be
man. Mr. Tom, and try it" she urged.
Tom sat irresolute for a moment, then
rose and grasped her hand. Il will try"
he said. land if l come out ahead it will
all be owing TO you. But it will be hard,
Almira. l know, for / tried once. only
again. if only to show YOU" He
stopped abruptly and Tung her hand
and rushed out of the room.
If Mrs. Munroe had known that her
brother set such value on Almira Pol
fers' good opinion she would have been
Mortified. She reported that brother Tom
had gone to a sanitarium because she
had lectured him into it, and was quite
satisfied as the weeks heightened into
months and Tom still remained there.
In truth he was having a terrible fight
with the demon who had so nearly
claimed him as his own But at last he
"came out ahead" as he himself ex-
planned it,
When he returned home he walked
straight through all the handsome rooms
down to the kitchen, where Almira was
alone a. work. The look on his face
even before he spoke told her that he
had conquered.
"Oh. I'm so glad" she faltered, put
ting her toil-worn hand into the one
he held out. II knew you could do il"
You had faith in me. did you, Almira -
he asked, still holding her hand and look
ing curiously at her beaming face. AL
mira nodded assent.
well, I'm cured now-wouldn't touch
drop of it if there were gallons and
gallons of the very finest flowing around
me- But will it last? ! can't tell and
I've got to have somebody to help me
if that dreaded thirst comes on again.
I've got to have a wife who will love
and believe in me and keep me from
falling You're the only one who had
faith in me, Almira, and you're the only
one | want for a wife. Say yes. Almira -
"Oh. Mr. Tom" she cried trying to