The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-09-18
DAWES TRIUMPH.

CPRAWLING down one hill and half
way up another was little village.
At the corner of its main street stood
the White Lion inn. The sun poured
yellow light through the bar WINDOWS
.on to the sanded floor and on the fig
ures of two men who sat talking at a
table.
II tell you he's sweet on my cousin,
Phoebe, hang him!" exclaimed the
younger man, bringing his fist down on
the table.
"And what's that got 10 say to it?''
replied the other, in slow, heavy voice.
Josh Tuckett 'ull never see no darter
O. his married to drunkard."
Dave amt no drunkard. He takes
his glass and goes out. Dang him, 1
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?"
"Ay, sure"
"And his grandfather afore him?"
SAY, certain"
'Bain't his three brothers lyin' in the
churchyard at this very minet, regular
soaking the place wi spirits? The
grass niver growed casual over their
graves the same as it did over t'other
folks"
What's that got TO do wi Dave?"
'Why, begore, he'll come to the like
sooner or later, mark my words if 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 drizzles down it."
heavy flush rose to Rods face.
"And may it; the sooner the better" he
said.
you and be wor thick anuff as boys, :"
replied the old man, rising and regard
ing him curiously.
! Rod turned away and went back to
the bar. Didn't l 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 new
comer's gaunt but boyish face. as, drop
! ping his bag of tools, he flung sixpence
on the counter.
"A half-and-half, Tom" he said. "Ny
throat ba reglar dring'd Squeezed up)
with thirst"
The flush on Rods face receded, leav-
ing it ashen gray. He filled a small
glass to the brim with spirits and
pushed it across the bar. Dave swal-
lowed the contents at gulp and stood
lingering the glass nervously.
Take another nip" said Rod.
Nav, wan be anuff, thank 'ee.''
Dawes thin white face redeemed. 81
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 sci
my mind on"
There was silence a moment.
''Ba it summat pertikler speshil p
Dave asked, at length.
II told zee I'd set nay mind on it."
"Drink ba kindidling tempstone.'
Dave muttered, half to himself. as be
watched Rod fill two glasses with spir
its. "Wull." he added, gulping down
the spirits with feverish Impotence
may ZEE git what zee want and more.
Rod looked at him moment, his lip,
twitching. ITO the damnation of Dave
Mint, body and soul!" he exclaimed
and, draining the glass, flung it across
the bar at the wall opposite. For mo
ment the two men regarded each othel
in silence; then Dave turned on his heel
halted a moment at the door anC
glanced back. Did zee mean they
wuds? ?" he said.
'Twor mort but bit o. fun" Rod an
swered, forcing a laugh.
"Ther amt mort speshil vantysheenl
(showy) in SIGH jokes" replied Dave
and going out he left Rod alone. II,
made his way through the street and vi
the hill behind the village, where tn,
: pine trees stood massing the blue SKI
like heavy blue-green clouds. Leaving
) the road, he entred the woods by foot
path. 1t was autumn; the ground wa
j / SlTtMn with cones ONSEuedu the Wlnl
soughed with the sound of the sea
Standing beside a broken stile was
girl; her chestnut hair, escaping from
the kerchief that bound it, rippled anC
/ curled about her neck and forehead
Dave started when he saw her, and al
vanced more slowly. She came toward
him, and they stood together; she wa
not tall; about as high as his heart.
"Wat's come to zee, Dave?" she ex
claimed, in soft, cultural voice; ''it'i
dree weeks since you've been a-nigl
me-"
He vas silent, averting his eyes as il
he were afraid to look into hers.
you made me love zee. you made me
love 'ee," she burst out. her voice trem
bling, land now"
Phoebe, lass, It's better that 1 bidt
away"