The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1902-04-25

others come, but I'm beginning to
get frightened, for if Sam has been
drinking"
Steele had all the necessary infor-
matior, and, forgetting politeness,
rushed from the house, taking the
front steps almost at one leap. He
knew what it meant if Sam Howard
had been drinking. 1t was with
many misgivings that the Hermitage
patrons had viewed the marriage,
not long before, of these two young
people of the district. Sam and
Marietta were Woodworking young
people, and cared. for each other,
but he would indulge in drink on rare
occasions. and one drink meant q
spell of crazy drunkenness.
Reaching the tenement where they
lived, he sprang up the stairs to the
little suite of rooms that the Her
mitage club had furnished as a we'd
ding present to the Towards, and
burst open the door.
Against the wall crouched the
young wife, her eyes horror tricken,
where the blood was gathering un-
der the skin from a freshly-dealt
blow on her cheek.
Between Marietta and her husband
Leslie had interposed herself. The
mans face, with it's bloodshot eyes,
was that of mailman. He had evident
ly struck Marietta with his hand, but,
with increased wrath that anyone
should attempt to thwart him, he had
caught up q stick of wood from the
floor, and even as she tried to soothe
him he had the bludge on raised threat
eningly. With spring Steele was up
on the man, who, though powerful nat
urally, and with the added strength Of
frenzy, was no match for the new
conner, whose muscles were backed by
rage that man should raise his hand
against any: woman, and Leslie, of all
women. There was short, sharp
struggle, and then Sam was over
powered and forced into chair, where
he sat in sullen apathy.
When Leslie would have thanked him
and offered to help the frightened wom-
an, Steele, with an air of command, or
dered her to desist.
go straight back to the Hermitage"
he ordered, peremptorily, land stay
there till come. This is no place for
you. Have no fear" he added, with
still smoldering rage; II shall spare
the life of this protege, who so nearly
killed you. When have left some one
to take care of his wife and to watch
him, will get a carriage and come to
the Hermitage for you. Go at once!"
And Leslie, so used to commanding
and being obeyed, went down the stairs
without word. She did not wait for
him, however, but as soon as she was
out of the alley ordered carriage to
take her home.
She arrived late for dinner, cold and
tired, and with unstrung nerves, but
as she knew that Steele would follow
to inquire after her welfare, she put
away her incina ton to go to bed for
good cry, and, changing her gown,
put on q brave face for the occasion,
though her heart was anything but
brave.
1T is waste of time," she confided
to herself, ambiguously, as she sat by
the fire. men are all alike-they do
not care for anyone but themselves,
and Steele is only more honest than
the rest in owning that he does not
care, and does not care whether he
cares or not. Of course, he is gentle
man., and would not strike woman,
as Sam did poor Marietta, but he has
no heart, and that is bad enough"
1t was very mournful girl that !
Steele found few moments later, but !
he was evidently too excited to notice
her detection.
''He has a new argument that he
thinks will crush me-" she said to her.
self, in dismay. Sand, oh, dear! I be-
lieve fly could crush me this even
ing"
"Leslie," exclaimed Steele, Il have
come to tell you
"Please, Steele" she ettreated, hold
ing up an imp!oring hand, don't speak
of Kant or Darwin. My opinions are
firm as ever, but am so tired
Steele was holding both her hands
and beaming down upon her as he stood
by her chair.
Kant and Darwin may have been es-
Unable men, my dear, but for me just
at this time they have never existed.
have come to ask you to advance me
% the first class in sentiment. Like
good pupil, have been studying at
home. I have learned to carry your
picture next my heart and to sleep
With one of your handkerchiefs under
ny pillow. Ipress all the flowers that
you put into my buttonhole, and l
stole little curl of brown hair that
lsed to lie just back of your ear.
hink brown eyes with yellow lights IN
hem are the sweetest eyes in the
world, and my heart thumps like
rip hammer when you put your hand
IN my arm. Not content with think
ng of you by day and dreaming Of
'ou by night, have called the office
10Y Leslie, and addressed my gray.