Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1896-08-20

MT. Iom,' Sne Sald, m sorry 1Or
YOU
What! Sorry for me? What do you
mean, Almira? I'm having 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 beast?"
'Humph! That's pretty strong Ian
guage, must say" he growled.
But it's true, Mr. Tom, if you keep
on you'll 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 it 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,
"and you can go to the cure. They say
it's wonderful what they can do. Be
a man, Mr.. Tom, and try it," she urged.
Tom sat irresolute for moment,
then rose and graSped her hand. II
will try" he said, and if | come out
ahead it will all be owing to you. But
| II will ha hn pI A lpNipn I lnnu- fnp
tried once, only couldn't stick it out.
But I'll try again, if only to show
you-" He stopped abruptly and rung
her hand and rushed out of the room.
If Mrs. MunrOe had known that her
brother set such value on Almira Pol
lers' 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 near
~ claimed him as his own. But at last
he "came out ahead" as he himself en-
planned it.
When he returned home he walked
straight through all the handsome
rooms down to the kitchen, where AL
mira was alone at 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. 81 knew you could do it."
You had faith in me, did you, AL
mirat' he asked, still holding her hand
and looking curiously at her beaming
| face. Almira 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 1t last? l 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 keen
me from falling. You're the only one
who had faith In me, Almira, and you're
the only one l want for wife. Say
yes, Almira."
"Oh, Mr. Tom." she cried, trying to
draw her hand away, you can't mean
it-why-rm-only your sisters cook"
That has nothing to do with the
case. You're the noblest girl / know,
and | want you and only you. Can't
you try to love me enough to marry
me, Almira! I'll try to be a good hus-
band, swear"
How can | help loving you," muir
INJURED Almira. 1--WE nearly worshiped
you since you lifted that heavy load
from my poor fathers shoulders, and
If you think l am good enough for
you--"
Put on your bonnet right away and
we'll find license and parson. Mrs
Munroe might say some things-un-
pleasant things-to Almira Pollers that
she would not dare to say to Mrs. Tom
Btrney." And in spite of Almira's re-
monstrances she was marched off. and
so expeditions was Tom that inside of
an hour they were married.
Mrs. MunrOe, when she was notified
'N PPs V''h'' ShNe lull sway 10
her rage IN the privacy of her own
room. When kind friends offered con-
dolence she sighed and wiped few
imaginary tears with her handkerchief.
Brother Tom was always the black
sheep OF the family" she said. I'VE
never could make gentleman of him.
suppose we should be thankful he's
done no worse. The girl is really quite
capable and may be able to keep him
straight"
The usual order of things was re.
Nersed when Mrs. Tom Birney on her
wedding day made her father present.
ana 1t was nothing less than the mort.
gage on his farm. And AlmIra soId