Mexico Missouri message., 1908-10-01


Sally BIS quivering face. "Lordl Sho
ought to DO happy without youl IT'S
worse than Abraham's sacrifice 10
there had been no lambl At least.
Isaac would have burned quicklyl"
He saw Sally B.'s face drop and cray
shadows creep In. At last she found
speech and her words were steady.
Whats the use of money and
beauty an WIS aristocratic way, II
Bill an me was ready to tie her Gown
to our kind? To lie on the desert:
maybe-Bill Amt no fnandseer-to
tough luck an pore grub. That's
what's bound to come II Bits luck
turns. DO you think that's lovin' her?
That lord b'longs to folks that's al
ways had money, an always looked Il.
An II he fails. there's Freddy Bryan;
he's man, the right kind. II he loses
his money. he'll make IL again--hes
buckin brigham she'll live genteel.
| s'posc you'd call II lovin' her to drag
her away from all that, an tie her up
to a little four.by-six life with you
a'trampin' along the railroad" II was
her turn for scorn. and II burned deep.
Alvin walked abruptly away TO the
open window. The beautiful palm Ear.
den with It's waxen-crested Gala hedge
and ylncwrapped trellises was full! OF
winter bloom and fragrance but he
saw nothing. His eyes were misty.
Ho was looking into a dun future With
out Viola, n future never before con
templatcd
Sally b., watching. saw her battle
won; and a quick revulsion OF feeling
set in. She admired his square, manly
and stopped little. and the lord was
small for an Englishman. Alvin's
plain, well.htting business suit had a
wholesome, honest look that appealed
to her. She remembered how valiant.
ly he had fought his way on n crutch
through half-starved boyhood to man.
hood, honorable manhood. Even his
straightness touched a new chord-she
was proud OF the courage that had
pioneered an operation that was the
talk Of the papers. And he had done II
for vi,
Alvin felt her changed attitude and
when he came back TO her and spoke,
his voice was very gentle. May see
Viola before / go? TN be my last
chance, you know"
"Oh, All" she cried out, and stopped.
Alvin was astonished at her emo.
ton, yet waited.
Almost. ambition had lost; not
quite. al. boy! Do you think you'd
better? Won't II be harder for you?
An for her too?" she added after a
breath.
Alyin's face contracted. Give her
up without one more look into her
dear face? Not see for himself that 1t
was well with her? That she could
love-at least, be content with--the
man her mother would secure fer her?
His heart beat DANGEROUSLY; and he
told himself he would see her, would
see her
Yet he took up his hat, looked calm
ly for his gloves and turned steady
eyes TO where Sally u. stood, her
whiteknuckled hands grasping a chair
back desperately.
Tell Vi-tell Vino, don't tell her
anything" he said. with forced calm.
ness. Goodbye. Sally b." He bowed
slightly and walked out OF the door.
"Oh, Al Carter, you're the best man
ever" She caught her breath and
stopped, staring after him.
Neither TO the right nor to the left
did he turn his eyes as he walked
down the winding, rose-lined avenue
TO the iron gates. Life seemed at an
end!
al! Al Carter!" screamed a shrill
voice behind him. Through the gates
Sally B. flew. her hair disordered, her
full draperies bellying to the wind like
pirate sails, her Grape ruffles dragging
out behind her. al, come back" she
cried'breathlessly. catching him by the
arm, hurrying him through the iron
gates again, through the rose-llned
avenue to the house. Come back an
see vi! Gosh durn II, All l throw
up the game! What does a shamming
old Greaser like me want OF big bug
for a son.ln.law? You're good enough.
right smart better'n l deserve: an
good enough for VI, too. Go long in
the music room there, an hnd VI. Tell
her II she's said Yes to Reg Lawrence
or to Freddy Bryan, or to any other
Teller. I'll say No 10 him! Got"
She dragged him into the hall,
pushed him toward the music room;
and, sobbing wildly, ran up the sound.
less stairs.
Alvin stood still. dazed, half con.
scious OF ripping, tearing rufles ON the
stair. when little figure sprang for
ward 20 meet him.
"oh, Alvini" she cried In quick
rapture. then halted Questioningly.
Viola, your mother has accepted
me for you" he said softly, and took
her In his arms. And long years of
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