The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-06-07

The room was PLAINLY puC A0"Hy
furnished. There was an air OF com
fort about it that the young man
liked. Nevertheless his face was
clouded by a shadow And the face u
the young woman whose clear gray
eyes intently regarded him was cloud
ed, too,
NO, Martin" she presently broke
the silence, Il cannot be persuaded
He looked at her tenderly.
Il am selfish enough to think you
are wrong" he said, but that's a
lovers unfairness. Anyway, there IS
no question about the beauty OIL Ine
sacrifice you are making.
81 am only doing what / believe o
be my duty, Martin"
And you would marry me If 1t were
not for George?
She hesitated a moment.
Il think | would Martin"
He moistened his lips.
George looms very large and very
formidable" he said. What can be
done with him?"
The girl sighed.
Nothing
There was a little silence
1T isn't right" murmured the man
beneath his breath, and there was blI-
terness in his tone.
1T is the only thing / can do, SAID
the girl.
you know he isn't worth the sacri-
fee"
"He is nay brother"
The man drew long breath.
such a brother"
The girls face flushed.
81 cannot discuss this even with
you, Martin. ] must do my duty as |
see it. George needs my care. My
mother with her last words asked me
to watch over him, to be his helpful
friend when all others deserted him.
l will carry out my promise"
The young man looked up eagerly.
let me help you care for INN,
Margery"
mo, Martin. He shall be my dis
grace alone"
Her head dropped her gaze was
turned from him.
And can nothing be dOne%
Nothing. ] have had the best medi-
cal advice. 1t was of no avail. He
will do nothing to help himself. He
is utterly Indifferent to his condition.
If he cannot get brandy, he resorts to
morphine He has been given the So
called cures. The instant the next
temptation assailed him he fell before
it, There is but one thing that prom
Uses any relief. If he could be taken
away from this perilous atmosphere,
far away from these wicked friends
who are sapping his life and his
money, if he could be made to fight
out the battle with himself alone and
uuaided-why, it would either cure or
kill him. And that they tell me, is
the only hope"
Martin stared hard at the floor.
! would be glad to help George if
l could" he said, but he repels me.
He appears to regard me as an enemy.
He paused and then looked up. II
have told you, Margery, that on your
decision an important move in my ca
reer depends. If you will marry me l
will remain here in Somerton. If not,
l will accept an offer l have to so to
Egypt where a contracting engineer is
needed He looked at her anxiously.
rs there any hope?"
mo, Martin"
q will be gone at least two years.
Eyes"
"Will YOU wait, Margery?"
do not ask me to make any prom
Uses. Martin. cannot tell what may
happen"
He hesitated an instant
you have sufficient income?"
YES" He arose.
81 must wire my acceptance of the
offer tonight and start tomorrow"
Before she could answer this the
outside door was noisly slammed and
a heavy football was heard in the
hall. The girl drew a little nearer to
her guest. A young man staggered
through the doorway He was very
slender and very pale-and very
drunk.
George" said the girl in pitiful
cry.