Alaska sentinel., 1908-10-15


 The little old gentleman looked, and into his face crept an expression of | pity and concern.
 Time you came, John" he whis- pered Quite time. The boy needs some one bad"
 Quietly he slipped across the room and taking the half-emptied whisky bottle from the table hid It behind the | desk. The man started, and from bis lips came 6 long-drayn sigh. Still and silent stood John watching him, and | presently. seeing that the stupor still held him fast, he slunk away and down the stairs.
 In the kitchen he found the kettle and, filling It, placed 1t upon the gas stove. While the water boiled he cleared the table, and. throwing of his inverness. played the part of house maid. His efforts showed the prac ticed hand, and when, finally. he de sisted, the dust and dirt had vanished In like manner he treated the dining room, and then. after washing his hands proceeded to brew a pot of strong tea.
 Foraging in the pantry, be discovered sugar, and, taking the tray. again he stole quietly up the stairs
 The man started as his hand fell on his shoulder, and from his lips came a hoarse, inarticulate cry. John shook him gently. Dazedly he sat up and glared at him through sunken. blood shot eyes. His face. stubbled with the growth of many days. showed white and haggsrd. His black hair was un- kempt His neck was bare, his vest unbuttoned. and the stain of spilled liquor discolored his linen. Wildly he | glared, and as a glimmer of compre- hension shot Into his bemused brain he stumbled to his feet with a curse on | his lips. The visitor pressed him back into the chair, overcoming his feeble struggling with gentle inslstence. The man held his hands to his throbbing head and groaned again. Taking up the teapot, John poured out & cup into 1t he dropped two Jumps of sugar and stirred 1t
 ''I want you to drink this, boy" he said. softly. Throat parched, eh? Ey- erything green? know-I know. Drink it Revive you"
 The young man took the profrered cup with trembling fingers and drank the draught with avidity.
 That's good eh?" chirped John. nod. ding his head in satisfaction. 'Oh, yes; there's another. And biscuits, too. Try and nibble one or two. Head pret- ty bad; An, let old John have 6 try to ease it."
 Slipping into the bathroom. he dipped a towel into cold water. and, after wringing it, skipped back and applied 1t with tender solicitude to the aching brows. This accomplished. very quietly he began to tidy up the filtered room. The man lay back with closed eyes and twitchins features. His body ached. He felt as weak as child. The throb- bing in his head was anguish. John sped noiselessly downstairs. 10 reap pear with material for making fire. In a short time he had 1T blazing. Iueu Ad'ibS Scuied oul luS 44l1cl, ue sat down and waited.
 The man opened his eyes.
 Another drink, boy" said John, cheerily. And have a peck at the bis cults. Feel better presently. That's right You look completely used up. Lie back; don't trouble to talk I'll just pull up the blind and open the window a bit. Fresh air take away that beastly sick feeling. Beautiful spring morning, Ned. Hear the sky lark. The buds are showing on the trees"
 The man cienched his hands, and into his eyes crept again the dull, hopeless look of misery. John stole across the room and placed his hand on his shoul- der commiseratingly.
 Ned" he said, very softly; T know, my boy. They told me at the office yesterday. They said you had not shown up for ten days. and thought I'd just run along to see you. not to intrude, boy. You won't think that But just because I wanted to help you, If I could. through the bad time I'm glad I came, I wish I had known before. Ned, boy, forgive me If I hurt knew Mary, I knew some thing of your happiness together, and know how proudly she regarded you. Do you not think. could she have seen you these past days. she would have grieved at your weaknessi No. won't preach, lad l understand. But, can you not see that temporary forgetful- ness obtained at such cost serves but to aggravate tbe disease in the hours of awakening? You cannot bury grief for long that way, boy. Alleyiation comes only with time and brave application to duty. The other is the blind way of the craven Some time 1t must end, and-what thenT
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