The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1900-11-29

THANKSGIVING MEMORIES

are capable of violence.
The manager had remarked in leav-
ing: "Well, old man, if there is trouble
l shall bank on you."
"Don't do it," was my reply. "I'm
not in humor to mix up in YOUR
troubles today"
1t was believed-with some grounds
for the belief-that had a strong con-
troll over the men. How 1 had obtained
that control and managed to hold it
matters not now. 1t was growing dusk
when l heard shouting down the
street. 'The old fool has come any
how" L said to myself. "Well let him
take the consequences"
l smoked and thought of what might
have been if Alice had become nv
wife. [ had not heard from her since
bidding her good-by five years before.
L had seen the report in the papers of
her marriage to a rich capitalist and
that he had helped her father out of
some financial difficulty. L thought
then that | understood what Alice had
meant and it made me bitter.
was awakened from my reverie by
knock at the door. To my response
the door opened and lady stepped in.
L rose quickly to my feet and as she
lifted her veil started back.
~
Gus.
"What does this mean?" l said.
my husband" she replied family.
All, now [ understood. The visit
ing stockholder was her husband and
she had come to me to save him, I
gave her chair and resumed my own;
she did not speak. She we'll knew
what was passing in my mind. l had
but to remain quiet and the chances
were very much against her husband
coming out of it alive. All, my God,
it was cruel that it should rest with
me. My love for Alice, however, won
out again.
l arose, lighted a lamp, and said:
"Remain here and | will see what I
can do"
AS | looked at her in the light saw
how she was changed. She was not
happy, l felt sure, and my heart grew
bitter towards the man whom | must
save in order to retain my own honor
and the respect of one whom loved
more than life.
l succeeded in my mission and re-
turned bringing Alice's husband with
me. instinctively disliked him. His
face bore evidence of fast and dis
sipated life and [ realized what tort
ures Alice must suffer tied to such
man.
They immediately left for the East
and [ lost sight of Alice again. ac-
companied them to the train and as
L bid her good-by, our eyes met, and 1
knew that, although bound for life to
another, her heart was mine.
[ felt no twinge of conscience at this.
My love for her was as pure and noble
as she was herself, and 1 also knew
that so long as he lived she would be
true to him. To her and to all true
women like her, the VOW, "for better
or worse, till death do us part" was
sacred promise. God bless such wom-
en-, say l.
l felt it my duty to keep knowledge
of Alice in order that if she was i'm
trouble 1 might be ready to assist her.
[ heard from time to time how her hus-
bands financial affairs were in bad
condition and finally how the crash
came. Presently rumors of drunken
carOusals and mistreatment of Alice
reached me. All, how longed to help
her, but my hands were tied. So long
as she did not appeal to me I-could do
nothing and knew she would not do
that unless driven to it.
watched and waited as best could
till one day l received telegram. It
was only one word, "Come," but how I