Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-09-08

have no command over themselves; they
live in a dream; they will promise any
thing-they will make the most solemn
VOWS of abstinence-and be quite unable
to resist the temptation. And the law
practically puts no check on the use Of
these fiendish things; even when the pub
lie houses are closed the chemists shop
is open. Now, Yolande, | have a kind
of theory or project with regard to that
poor woman-I don't know whether the
doctors would approve of it-but it is a
fancy l have; let us suppose that that
poor wretch of a mother does not quite
understand that her daughter has grown
up to be a wOman-most likely she still
regards her as a child-that is a very
common thing-at all events she is not
likely to know anything as to what her
daughter is like. And suppose that this
daughter were to go to her mother and
declare herself, do you not think that
that would be enough to startle her out
of her dream? and do you not think that
in the bewilderment of finding her rela-
tions reversed-the child grown to be a
woman assuming a kind of protection
and authority and command over the
broken-down creature-she might be got
to rely ON that help and encouraged and
strengthened by constant care and affec-
tion to retrieve herself? Don't you think
it is possible? To be startled out Of
that dream by shame and horror; then
the wonder of having that beautiful
daughter her companion and protectress;
then the continual reward of her cham
pionship-don't you think it is possibleT'
"Oh, yes-oh. yes, surely" said the
girl. Surely you are right"
But then, Yolande, | am afraid you
don't understand what a terrible busi-
ness it will be. 1t will demand the most
constant watchfulness; for these drugs
are easy to get and people who use them
are very cunning. And it will require a
long perhaps years-before one
could be certain that the woman was
saved. Now look at it from the other
side. Might not one say, That poor
woman's life is gone, is done for; why
should you destroy this other young life
in trying to save wreck? Why should
you destroy one happy human existence
In trying to rescue the mere remnant of
another human existence that would be
worthless and useless even if you sue
ceedl Why should not the girl live her
own life in peace and happiness
But that is not what you would say
that is not what you think" she said,
confidently. And do you ask what the
II I'll, oil
that. Oh, yes, can tell you-she would
despise any one who offered her such a
choice"
But she would be in ignorance, Yo-
hnde; she would know nothing about it. v
"She ought not be In ignorance, then
Why do they not tell her? Why moi
ask herself what she will do? All, and
all this time the poor woman left to her
self-it was not right-it was not just!
But she has not been left to herself
Yolande. Everything has been tried
| everything but this. And that is why
| have come to ask you what you think
girl in that position would naturally do
What would she do if she were told"
There cannot be doubt" she ex
claimed. "Oh, there cannot be a doubt
You'll know what your feeling is
what your opinion is. And yet you hest
tate! Why? Go; and you will see wha
her answer will be-"
''Do you mean to say, Yolande," h
said, deliberately, and regarding her a
the same time, 'that you have no doub
whatever? You say l am to go and asl
this young girl to sacrifice her life-o
it may be only a part, but that the bes
part, of her life-on this chance of rescu
ing a poor broken-down creature"
Her mother" said Yolande. "If sh
is the girl that you say, oh, | know hoy
she will be grateful to you. She will
bless you. She will look on you as tn
best and dearest of her friends, who hat
courage when the others were afraid
who had faith in her."
"Yolande," said he, almost solemnly
you have decided for yourself"
'I?" she said, in amazement.
"Your mother is alive"
She uttered sharp cry-of pain,
seemed.
'My mother-my mother-like that!
For a time this agony of shame AM
horror deprived her of all power of ut
terance; the blow had fallen heavily
Her most cherished and beautiful ideal
lay broken at her feet in their plac
was this stern and ghastly picture tina
he had placed before her mental eyes
He had not softened down any of the de
tails; it was necessary that she shOul
know the truth. And she had been s.
much interested in the story, as he pa
tiently put it before her, that now sh
had but little ifficulty-alas!-s ha'
no difficulty at all-in placing herself il
the position of that imaginary daughter
and realizing what she had to face.
He waited. He had faith In her cour
age; but he would give her time. Thi
was a sudden thing to happen to gir
Of nineteen.
"Well," she said, at length. in a lov
voice, 81 will go. | will go at once. Doe
| mana know Won were coming here to-da,