The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-02-07
CHAPTER XII.

X2A Time. IL was not usual meal.
~ pun In the district attorney.
You and your sisters
"Stop. Don't talk to me about that
dinner | want 10 forget that dinner.
want TO forget everything but the
two things l live fOr-to see that fell
low hanged and to- The words
choked him. and he let bis head fall.
but presently threw 1t up again. THAT
bastard. whom may God confound.
passed a letter across Adelaide into
Carme's hand" he painted out. IT
saw him. but 1 didn't take it In. I
wasn't thinking. l was
who broke the glasses" urged his
relentless inquisitor. zone at your
plate, one Mt Carmers and one at the
head of the board where sat your Sis
ter Adelaidew
Must tell these things? Have II,
then! Heaven knows 1 think OF it
enough not 10 be afraid 10 speak it
ont IN words. Adelaide never had
much patience with me- She was a
girl who only saw one way. while I
wanted pleasure. a free time and a
good drink whenever the fancy took
me. You know what l am. DIR. Perry.
and everybody in town knows. but the
impulse which has always ruled me
was not a downright evil one. or II it
was 1 called II natural independence
and let IL 90 at that But Adelaide
suffered. l didn't understand II. and
didn't care hg for IL. but she did
suffer. God forgive meg'
He stopped and mopped his fore
head. That afternoon" he presently
resumed. 'she was keyed up more
than usual. She loved Ranelagh. and
be bad played or was playing her
false. She saw him look at Carmel,
and she saw Carmel look az him.
Then her eyes fell on me. | was an
gry-angry - 'Nsm all-and I wanted
drink. II - u her habit TO have
wine on III ,h'e. but sometimes
when Ranelb rs there she did.
She was a sE'-t T. Ranelagh. Ring
the bell I ora rcd and have in the
champagne. -@t TO drink TO your
marriage and u hvppy days In pros
pect for us ALL was brutal, and
knew IT. but / - reckless and wild
for the wine. S : guess. was Rane-
lagh. for he SIN ei at her. and she
rang for the champagne. When the
glasses had been set beside each plate
she turned toward Carmel. We will
all drink. she said. to my coming
marriage This made Carmel turn
pale. for Adelaide had never been
known TO drink a drop of liquor in
her life. ] felt little queer myself.
and not one of us spoke till the glasses
were filed and the maid had left the
dining room and shut the door.
Then Adelaide rose. We will drink
standing said she. and never had I
seen her look as she did then. She
drank. We wouldn't call II drinking,
for she just touched the wine with
her lips. but 70 her II was debauch.
Then she stood waiting. with the
strangest CLEAN in her eyes. while
Ranelagh drained his glass and
draned mine. Ranelagh thought she
wanted some sentiment aud started TO
say something appropriate. but bis
eve fell on Carmel. who bad tried to
drink and couldn't. and be bungled
over his words and at last came TO a
pause under the steady stare OF Ade-
ladies eyes.
Never mind. Elwood she said.
I know what you would like to say.
But that's not what l am thinking OF
now. l am thinking OF my brother,
the boy who will soon be left TO ind
his way through life without even the
restraint OF my presence.
want him to remember this day.
want him to remember me as I stand
here before him with this glass In my
hand. You see wine in 1t. Arthur; but
see poison. Carmel. you have griev-
ed as well as I over what has passed
For pleasure in this house. Do as
10. and may Arthur see and remem-
Der'
"Her fingers opened; the glass fell
rom her hand and lay in broken frag-
nents beside her plate Carmel fol.
owed suit. and, before knew it. my
,wn fingers bad opened and my own
;lass lay in pieces on the tablecloth
beneath me. Only Ranelagh's hand re-
NAMED steady. She held Der breath.
that hand. and | can hear
he gasp yet with which she saw him
yet bis glass down quietly on the
'oard That's the story of those three
,roken glasses"
The district attorney sought out and
fitted paper from the others lying on
he desk before him. Ii was the flrst
movement be bad made since Cumber-
and began his tale.
I'm sorry" said he. with q rapid
Of the paper In his hand,
but | shall have 10 detain you n few
minutes longer. What happened after
be dinner? Where did you go from
be table?"
II went TO my room TO smoke. I
vas upset and thirsty as a fish,"
Have you liquor In your roomT
Sometimes
"Did you have any that nightY'
"Not drop. ! didn't dare. want
d that champagne bottle. but Adelaide
ad been too quick for me. IL was
brown out-wasted-l do believe, vast
d."
80 you did not drink? You only
moked in your room?
Smoked one cigar That was all.
hen ! went down town.