The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-08-25
DAWES RESOLVE.

I
at the corner Of its main street stoo
the White Lion Inn. The sun poure
yellow light through the bar window
on to the sanded floor, and on the FIG
ures Of two men who sat talking at
table.
Il tell you he's sweet on my cousi
Phoebe, damn him!" exclaimed tn
younger man, bringing his fist down o
the table. &rt
And what's that got to say to it?
replied the other, in a slow, heav
voice. Josh Tuckett 'ull never Sc
no darter O. his married to q drunk
ard"
Dave amt no drunkard; he take
his glass and goes out. Dang him,
wish he wor." /
The elder man leaned toward ant
caught hold Of the button OF bis com
panion's coat.
Answer me this. Tummas Rod" h
said, didn't his father die O. drink"
"Ay, sure"
And his grandfather afore him?"
"Ay, certain" a-- s
"Bain't. his three brothers lying in
the 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
t'other folkes." ,4-. ...... ~,
What's that got to do VII lDave?"
why, begore, he'll come to the like
sooner or later. mark my words II he
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.
A heavy flush rose to Rods ice.
And may it: the sooner the better"
he said. a1 * "
"You and he wor thick ainluif as az
boys" replied the old man. rising, and
regarding him curiously.
Rod turned away and went back to
the bar. Didn't I tell ZEE that he be
sweet on my cousin and her on him."
he answered, in a sullen voice.
There was sound of footsteps, and
Dave entered, the old man taking his
departure at the same time. Rod
glanced with quick scrutiny at the
newcomers gaunt but boyish face, as,
dropping his bag OF tools, he flung six
pence 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
small glass to the brim with spirits
and pushed 1t across the bar. Dave
swallowed the contents at gulp, and
stood, lingering the glass nervously,
Take another nip" said Rod.
Nav, wan ba anuff, thank 'ee."
Come, I'll stand yer"
Dawes thin white face redeemed.
II dursn't," he said, turning away and
picking up his bag Of tools.
The innkeeper burst into a rough
laugh. "You puts me in mind Of a
maid before her first kiss, terrible
afraid, but wonderful willing" he re-
piled. Come" he urged, unsteadily,
drink me success to something I've
set my mind on"
There was silence a moment.
"Ba 1t zummat pertikler speshil?"
Dave asked, at length.
Il told zee I'd set my mind on it."
Drink ba kindidling temptsome,"
Dave muttered. half to himself, as he
watched Rod fill two glasses with spir-
Is. "Wull," he added, gulping down
he spirits with feverish impatience,
may ZEE git what ZEE want and
nore."
Rod looked at him a moment, his
Ups twitching: ITO the damnation of
Dave Vlint, body and SOUL" he ex-
laimed, and draining the glass, flung
across the bar at the wall opposite.
'or a moment the two men regarded
ach other in silence, then Dave turned
n his heel, halted a moment at the
oor, and glanced back. did ZEE mean
hey wuds?" he said.
"'Twor mort but bit of fun" Rod
nswered, forcing laugh.
"Ther amt mort speshil vantysheeny
snowy in SIGH jokes" replied Dave,
nd going out he left Rod alone. He
lade his way through the street and
p the hill behind the village, where
le pine trees stood massing the blue
~ like heavy blue-green clouds.
eaving the road, he entered the wood
7 footpath. 1t was autumn: the
'ound was strewn with cones; over
lad the wind soughed with the sound
the sea. Standing beside a broken
lie was a girl; her chestnut hair,
Gaping from the kerchief that bound
rippled and curled about her neck
I'd forehead. Dave started when he
W her, and advanced more slowly,
le came toward him, and they stood
gether; she was not tall, about as
Oh as his heart.
Watts come to zee, Dave!" she ex-
aimed, in soft cultural voice; its
ee weeks since you've bin a-nigh
J."
He was silent, averting his eyes as :
he were afraid to look into hers. !
You made me love zee, you made
love 'ee," she burst out, her voice q
"and now i
Phoebe, lass, It's better that I bide
ay." a
You 'shud ave thort O. that afore," y
} said, bitterly.
Aye, sartin' I shud." A
The caught hold of the two lapels of
coat. Dave, Dave" she cried,
~ don't love me arter all; and YOU
ore me true down by the Wishing IL
H." Il
didn't love zee then the zane asI VI
now by DEAL" he answered. TAX Il
her hands in his. st
Oh, lad, can't fathom 'ee," she "a
|, with a sob. w. :"
Sweetheart, It's the drink I'm ed
I'D Of; 'twull have me wan day like be
my vather and brothers afore a
an
But bain't afeard."
might be crue, hard on ZEE, lass"
said, pressing her hands tight
inst his broad chest. "A man 81
I ansuer FOR bimcalp u,han +bo ~