Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-19

note, as II he was going to break
down and cry.
Her thin hand sought his and found
it. You've got good stuff in you, Jim,
If you could only let drink alone" she
said wistfuIly.
I'm going to have a big hard try at
it, Kitty" he said solemnly. I'm not
going TO get up and swear all sorts OF
promises and break half of 'em-but
I'm going to try-try-try hard to
break of and maybe he hesitated
and turned his head aside.
Maybe WHAT" she whispered
Maybe you might sort OF pray a
little now and then-you know that
helps along some and I'll try a lot
Kitty uttered the ghost OF her old
merry laugh "All right, Jimsy boy
you do the trying and slip n prayer I'm
now and then yourself-'twon't do any
hurt. I'll pray night and day for your
successful trying"
IF / don't come out all right-it will
be because l am dead" averred Jim
firmly. Il wonder II j got the right
to ask you question, Kitty" he ask
ed humbly.
Most anybody can ask a question"
she evaded.
But this one you might think was
Pone OF my business. and yet IT is
too
Il guess you won't ask anything
don't want to answer" said Kitty,
with a return of her old assurance.
Il was wondering" said Jim slowly.
"why you was wearing that ring on
your right hand. l saw II and recoG-
nized you when you took the loaf Of
bread. If you wanted to shake me al
together and thought l was no good
you could have shook the ring alto
gether instead OF changing 1t to the
other hand"
There was little silence before
Kitty answered: ut wasn't for any
reason you thought, Jim; It was only
because my finger got so thin IL
wouldn't stay on. You know l never
sent you away, but you did frighten
me some when you was-was"- Poor
Kitty sought for milder word to
frame the unpleasant truth.
when l was just plain drunk" fin
ished Jim bitterly. Don't try TO
soften it, Kitty, dear. It'll do me good
to hear it. Now. I'm going to leave yOu
here. and I'll get some money from
Sullivan tomorrow night and I'll bring
you the pay Mt the end of the week.
Maybe some day-oh. there isn't any
use in my looking ahead-I got to
prove myself first" he ended.
"You mean some day. when you've
got back on your feet again and have
got n little money laid by and have
proved that you can stay straight
no 10 I'LL
be published in St Josepb's?" Kittys
voice was wonderfully tender as she
asked the question. and Jim's face was
radiant with happiness as he replied
God bless you, Kitty! Yes"-he
choked-"after I've restored your faith
in me you can tell me and I'll go to
Father Cahil and have him put up
the banns. tn be the happiest day OF
my life"
At O'Clock the next morning Jim
Collins climbed up 10 his seat on
high red truck and slapped the rcins
over the backs of n pair Of heavy
grays. He had spent the remainder
Of the night in doorway He was
cold and hungry. but there was some
thing new stirred within him-some-
thing greater than the love with which
he had won pretty Kitty Lee; it was
a greater love for her and he forgot
everything save her pale and tired
face
Amt ! the mean dog 70 let her go
TO the bread line be asked himself
accusingly as ne started forth after
his FIRST load
1t was long and hard day. Big
Il np cd IN Ia oil
desire TO do better and had insisted
on the young mans eating n hearty
meal at noon. and ut night ne paid
him for the days work. 'I'll pay you
every night till you get started" he
promised. and Jim was grateful
His greatest JOY came when he car
led the dollar ana hfty cents to
Kitty that evening Jim" she said.
olacinG her hand on his arm. but not
oolziDg into his face: Jim. you can't
,uess what I've done today-I hope
'ou won't be- mad al me"
You haven't got a Job-you amt
It TO work. Kitty. and forbid it," he
aid rapidly.
"No-only. went TO Father Cahill
oday and told him 10 put up our
aims next Sunday" said KITTY
uietly, though he could see that she
vas crying
"Why- Kitty-why-you amt going
. marry me before ] make good, are
ouf" he cried incrcdulouSlv.
Il got that much faith in you, Jim
ollins," she said sOlemnly. I'm going
} marry you and stick by you and
ell work up together. l amt got 10
ait till you make good-beca use /
now you're going to-
Jim took her into his strong arms
Kitty Lee. there isn't another woman
the world would have done It," he
lid gravely.
Jim Collins" returned Kitty ear
.stly. there isn't another woman in
le world that wouldn't do the same
lin9-fOr the man she loved"