The times., 1898-10-02
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES sSsss
Dave
Sesseeeseeeeeeesesesssee9

Lion Inn. The sun poured yellow light |
through the bar windows on to the sand |
ed floor, and on the figures of two men |
who sat talking at a table.
Il tell you he's sweet on my cousin
Phoebe damn himi" exclaimed the young |
er man, bringing his fist down on the |
table.
oAnd what's that got to say to it?" re-
piled the other. in a slow. heavy voice
Josh Tuckett ull never see no darter o.
his married TO a drunlArd.'
Dave amt no drunkard; he takes his
glass and goes out. Dang him, wish he
wor.''
The elder man leaned forward and
caught hold of the button of his COM
panion's coat.
Answer me this. Tummas Rod. he
said. didn't his father die O. drink?''
cay sure eH&
And his grandfather afore him?''
''Ay, certain"
'Bain't his three brothers lying in the
I churchyard at this very minet reglar
! soaking the place wi spirits; the grass
niver growed casual over their graves the
same as it did over tother folkes.
whats that got TO do WI Dave?'
why, begore. hen come to the like
! sooner or later mark my words If he
i don't He's drunkard now-at heart.
/ Scores O. times I've reckoned to hear his
! throat split and crack when the drink
, dizzles down it,
! A heavy flush rose to Rods face. "And
may it; the sooner the better" he said.
You and he wor thick anun as boys"
replied the old man, rising, and regarding
! him curiously.
] cd and aclr tr ha
bar. Didn't tell ee that he be sweet
on my cousin and her on him." he an
/ swered, in a sulen voice.
There was sound of footsteps. and
} Dave entered. the old man taking his de-
parture at the same time Rod glanced
with quick scrutiny at the newcomers
gaunt but boyish face. as. dropping his
bag of tools, he flung sixpence on the
! counter.
! "A half-and-half, Tom" he said. My
) throat ba reglar dring'd (squeezed up)
/ with thirst"
The flush on Rods face receded, leaving
( it ashen gray. He filled a small glass to
the brim with spirits and pushed 1t
across the bar. Dave swallowed the con-
tents at a gulp. and stood, lingering the
| glass nervously.
Take another nip" said Rod.
Nav wan be anuff, than 'ee."
Come, I'll stand yer"
Dawes thin white face Redeemed. II
dursn't,' he said, turning away and pick
ing up his bag of tools.
The inn-keeper burst into a rough laugh
You puts me in mind of a maid before
her first kiss, terrible afraid. but wonder
ful willing. he replied. Come" he
urged, unsteadily, drink me success to
something I've set my mind on
There was silence for moment
I'LL, fat
asked at length.
Drink ba kndidling temptsome" Dave
muttered. half to himself. as he watched
Rod fill two glasses with spirits. "Wull,"
he added. gulping down the spirits with
feverish impauence. may zee git what
zee want and more"
Rod looked at him a moment, his lips
twitching: ITO the damnation OF Dave
| Vlint, body and soul" he exclaimed, and
draining the glass, flung it across the bar
at the wall opposite For a moment the
two men regarded each other in silence:
then Dave turned on his heel halted a
moment at the door. and glanced back.
Did ZEE mean they wuds?" he said.
'"Twor mort but Bit o fun, Rod an
swered, forcing laugh
'Ther amt mort speshil vantysheeny
(showy) in sich jokes. replied Dave, and,
going out, he left Rod alone. He made his
way through the street and up the hill be-
hind the village. where the pine trees
stood massing the blue sky like heavy
blue-green clouds. Leaving the road, he
entered the wood by a footpath. 1t was
Autumn; the ground was strewn with
cones; overhead the wind soughed with
the sound of the sea Standing beside
broken stile was girl: her chestnut hair.
escaping from the kerchief that bound
it. rippled and curled about her neck and
forehead. Dave started when he saw her,
and advanced more slowly. She came to-
ward him, and they stood together; she
was not tall about as high as his heart.
Watts come to zee, Dave!" she exclaim-
ed, in a soft cultural voice; its dree
weeks since you've been a-nigh me-
He was silent, averting his eyes as If he
were afraid to look into hers.
You made me love ee. you made me
love ee." she burst out, her voice trem-
bling. land now
phoebe. lass. 'tis better that I blde
away"
You 'shud ave thort o that afore -
she said, bitterly.
AYE. sartin l shud."
She caught hold of the two lapels of his
coat. Dave, Dave" she cried. you
) don't love me arter all. and you swore me
true down by the Wishing Well"
II didn't love zee then the zame as 1 do
now by a DEAL he answered, taking her
| ldluS IN MS
'oh lad. I can't fathom ee," she said
with sob.
Sweetheart. tbs the drink I'm afeard
Of twill have me wan day like did my
vather and brothers afore me-"
But l bain't afeard.'
81 might be cruel hard on 'ee lass he
said pressing her hands tight against his
} broad chest "A man can't answer for
hissuf when the drinks upon him..
Har darL-prav aves Allied with
,, But l bain't afeard. Dave" she reiter-
ated 81 bairft afeard."
He looked at her with great tenderness.
81 dursn't. dear heart; 1 dursn't," he
said, and his voice shook.
/. "Ther wud ba the times atween whiles, -
she urged.
: Turning from her. he caught hold of a
tree bough and steadied himself. Lass,
lass, don't put me in mind o en-"
You amt loving me the zaIne as you
did, or zee wudn't need no minding,' she
. exclaimed, brokenly. And l amt fallen
: off in looks" She came around the tree,
> stood in front of him and, unbinding her
, kerchief, shook her thick chestnut hair
about her shoulders. See, Dave she
! continued, its vine and long for all it
lose in the curl; and my voot too. Dave
she kicked of her shoe" It's wonderful
arched, and deal smaller than the
young ladies' up to the. great house. My
arms, Dave''-she slipped back her sleeve
! they might be a chile's they're that be-
dimpled.
, Stopping abruptly, she burst into tears.
: "Oh lad, lad she sobbed, 'syou bain't
| looking, you bain't looking"
= He let go the branch of the tree took