The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-04-19

decorated imported glasses, with quite n
wedhing-like polish upon their shining
sides.
kathleen's heart grew lighter AZ the hour
approached. when Fergus Is mine" she
SAID to herself, II will be so loving and
sweet to him that this strange melancholy
VIII leave him. II II don't. I will pull his
hair out"
The minutes crept on. ald at half past
eight. Kathleen. blushing and timid-cyed,
ana looking like the Lorclei that charmed
mems souls from their bodies on the pur-
pie heights of the Rhine, took her stand
by the Reg. and shyly drew for her ia hers
guests glass after glass of the ruby liquid
scarcely less red than the glow upon her
own fair check.
AT quarter to nine Fergus had not
come. and all hands began to grow anx-
iois.
AT ten minutes to nine. Mr.. o'Mallcy
brought in his shotgun and carefully load
cd IL. Kathleen burst into tears.
Where was Fergus o'Hoolhan?
In the garlsh halls Of the Young Mems
Christian association were gathered a
group of gay young men.
Little do the majority OF our citizens
know what scenes go on in places OF thie
KIND. Our police well know that these
resorts exist. but such IL our system of
city government that rarely do the guard
innS 81 peace set foot In establishments OF
hliiN Wo or tnrCr young men We're
playing checkers fevcrishiy browning the
Kings of their opponents, and Watching
the honra with that hollow-cyed absorb
non and compressed lips so often noted
In men Of TINT class. Another played upon
the guitar. while In n corner harsh ribald
laughter broke from the lips of n man who
was reading the Austin Statesman.
At little table at one side of the room
sat Fergus D'lioolihan and William Mceks
before 'hcm, ON II waiter. We're two large
glasses of Ice wator. William Mocks was
speaking In n low. treacherous voice. and
Fergus was listening with an abandoned
and reckless look upon his face
Sohriety." said William. insiuuaiingly
MS mis- snnky eyes were fixed upon the
open and ingenious countcnancc of Fergus
sobfiety Is ono of our cardinal virtues.
Why should u man dcbase himself. de-
stroy his brain, deaden hts conscience and
iorse chains that eventually will clog hts
h'st efforts and ruin his fondrst hopcs?
Lot us be men aud live temperate and
81 AMY lives. Believe me. Mr. O tiuullhnn.
II Is the better plan"
Fergus' unstcndy hand went ont TO tho
glass ct water and he tossess II down his
throat. More" he rasped. gazing with
teNerish eYes. y member of the ,ssocia-
tcn In passing by stopped ana lai his
hand on Williams shoulder
"oi,i man" he said IN whisper, the
boys know you've struck n soft thing, but
don't carry II too far. We don, want to
have 10 born another artesian we'll"
William shot a glance of displcasure at
the yonng man, and he went away
Just thou qlinrtettc berrn 20 sing
Come. Thou Fount," and Fergus, for
getting all hts associations and best i'm
pulses. Joined IN with his strong tonor.
and William Mecks' face wore a look of
iendlsh gloatng.
AT this moment Kathleen was weeping
In her mothers arms. Mr.. O'Mnlloy was
4.rast
shot In his gun. and the beautiful wedding
supper was growing cold upon the ban
quct table
Suddenly in the street before the hall n
brass band hogan to play an air that was
kathlcen's favoritc. 1t brought Fergus to
his senses. He sprang to his feet and
overturned the table and William Meeks.
William spraug to his feet. rushed 20 the
cooler and drawing glass OF water thrust
II into Fergus hand, Fergus hurled the
glass to the iioor and made IA dash for
the door The secretary of the association
met him there with the water hose and
turned 1t fun In his face. Fergus shut his
mouth tightly. put the secretary to sleep
with one on the point of the chin and
oa.hcd down the stairs Into the street.
As the clock struck nine. Mr. o'Mallcv
placed two cars on hts gun ana Que upon
his head and started to find his son-in-law-
eject. The door burst open AMI Fergus
rushed In. Kathleen ran to meet him
with open arms. but he waved her s,ernly
ASIDE
~ have first" hc said. IN duty TO per
form" lie knelt before the WHISKY key.
closed his mouth over the faucet ana
turned on the handle
sing. happy bros. in the green trees,
hut Your songs make not half tho melody
that ripples In tho glad heart of little
Kathleen.
When Fergus arose from tho kcg he was
the same old Fergus once more. Ilo gath
cred his bride TO hia heart, and Mr.. O'Alnl-
ley fired both barrels Of his gun into the
ceiliug with JOY. Fergus was rescued