The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-04-17
Cures Whiskey and Beer Habit
PAUL G. SCHULZ & SONS.

! together she threw her arms about his
neck and kissed him His pulses thrqb-
| bed riotously at the warm touch Of her
lips. and he hardly dared trust himself
| to kiss her in return,
Strangely enough 1T was the last ca
| ress she offered From that birthday
| she seemed to leave childhood behind,
| and the man suffered in the change.
| He grew to dread the succeeding years.
| His pal YVES growing into womanhood.
| amt SO farther away from him. He
! could have lived luxuriously had he de
/ sired, but he chung 10 The old lodging.
Critics and public alike acknowledged
his genius. yet the whole world was
| bound up In Dora TO the blind author
Dora. whose voice was as music, whose
step lie could distinguish in a million.
He encouraged her to talk about her
friends, her ambitions and Yes, he
made Ter tell him about Tom, too
Tom, who had grown TO be man and
on whom Doras mother looked with
favor.
Il must be going now" said Dora,
after a fruitless afternoon, Blossom
having been unable to settle TO the
task
Tom comng?'
Yes" Her voice was a little tired.
Blossom noticed it.
You have not quarreled Z"
Tom never will. Blossom. do yon
want me 10 marry TOM"
Marry The attack was sudden.
"Mary, It's beautiful when young
people love enough for that But your
mother were better consulted. | am
only an old bachelor"
"Yon are my PAL persisted the girl
impatieutiy Mother married young
She thinks | should, but don't want
to be hurried"
quite right" began Blossom quick
~ Then, pulling himself together,
Toms nice boy. He will make
good husband''
lie is all you say. | suppose ! shall
take him Blossom. know he is going
ia ask me tonight" The girl hung over
the back Of her friends chair He
could feel her breath on his cheek, but
it was a pity he could not see the look
in her eyes. Blossom gpipped the arm
rests as if FOR support
GOD bless you both. little pail he
said steadily Il know you will be a
good wife. Toms n lucky fellow
"You think | had better take him
You wish me to- The girl bent still
closer; her hair brushed his forehead.
Il wish-only your happiness"
"Dora. Dora II was her mother
calling Dora MAYED hesitatingly to-
ward the door. I'VE will always be
pals-always just the same"
Blossom lifted his head Always"
he promised. Don't think about me.
You love Tom"
II love Tom yes Then the door
closed, and Blossom sank back in his
chair. Misery showed livid in his face
and stopping shoulders. Dora loved
Tom! it had come at last. 1t seemed
as if this second loss were greater,
more terrible than that of his sight lie
was doubly bereft. He had promised
the girl they would remain pals. but
new tics. new duties would arise; the
Old must be laid aside; he must school
himself to be alone. The sweat broke
on his forehead rs he clinchcd his
hands: then with a groan he folded his
arms on his knees and hid his face
He crouched motionless, taking no no-
tice of the passage of time.
Softly, timidly. some one touched him
on the shoulders. The man thrilled;
his soul leaped out 10 meet that other
self. Passionately his arms opened and
claimed the girlish figure Of his pal
He felt her throbbing in response. tho
trembling Of her hands as she chung
to him
"Blossom-Bl Blossom, speak TO me-
she whispered. Tell me you love me-
Love YOU? With all my being!
Dora. who IS there in. all the world Ike
your
why did sou make me sufter-why
did you make me speakf" she question
ed. half sobbingly.
Il thought it was Tom
Il love Tomas a broth. She
CHING still closer. Men are so stupid.
but. child. fear do you wrong.
I'm growing old; I'm always helpless.
L love you. only you. Blossom. just
pretend am Miss ATsbella and-hold
me close; IT comforts-lots"
And Blossom. STOPPING. kissed her OF
the mouth.