The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-08-29

Think how it'll feel running down your
throat and remember how it smells!'
He reached out the bottle suddenly,
and Billy's hands-both Of them-went
hungrily toward It. His eyes were
shining. his lips trembling.
Don't, O'Neil" he implored. Don't,
don't, don't" his voice rising Quaver-
ingly. You know how tits with me-"
It'll do you good" infiexibly. you
are getting thin from going without it
so long, and it's better to enjoy the
stuff trickling down your throat slow
than to have it poured down in bot
ties full. You know what we say
goes. Billy, and you must drink the
| whole thing"
Billy dropped upon his knees.
Don't" he repeated duly. II don't
want to. II smell can't stop then.
You and mes been good friends,
O'Neil, and I've danced and-and
drunk lot for you. Let me of this
time. And-and, IL you don't mind. I'd
like to say why"
''Oh, let the poor devil make his con-
fession. O'Neil." interposed one Of the
cowboys good naturedly. You know
how tits with Patterpat If hs smells,
as he says, he won't stop easy. It'll b.
him start in right"
Billy shot him grateful look.
Its like this" he said. with q pa
thetic eagerness in his voice. "siE
months ago l happened 10 bs up in
the country, and saved girls life.
She was caught by 4 bear, and-and L
suppose 1 acted some brave. Anyhow,
she and her folks thought 10 and took
me in. Since then I've been up therev
and amt tasted drop. and I've been
feelin' that mebbe could make some
thing Of myself some time Hike used
to think "a long while ago." There
was q little catch in his voice; then he
went on in lower tones: "Ms and the
girl was to be married. came down
toda- for q ring and license. They
believe In me up there. and I've Joined
in with them, and"-his eyes suddenly
becoming steady and aggressive at .
giggle from one Of the cowboys'1f
'twan't for the whisky believe could
be a good man again-a better one than
you could ever be, Danny. But, Of
course"-hls voice again dropping and
his hand reaching mechanically toward
the bottle-"this will finish it all. Up
there they don't have anything strong
to drink. and-and they never suspect
ed I was hat way. When they find
this out it'll be over with us. I'll run
through myself soon's l can, and-and
the girl and they'll feel sorry, but you'n
have your dance carnival. So we won't
all lose. Now you can give me the bot
tie, O'Neil."
But O'Neil was holding the bottle
up between his own eyes and the sun.
Seems pity to spill such good stuff"
he said regretfully. but its got to be-"
Then in a louder voice: Here. you fell
lers, see that stone over t'other side
the street: Well. every one who's got
bottle shy at that, and the one who
breaks into the most pieces will 80
with Billy to see about the ring and
license. Then wei! all club In for I
present and
Billy's head went up suddenly His
eyes We're moist
NO. no." lie protested: 81 don't want
no present. gentlemen. I've been work
ing hard up there and have got some
ahead. I'm all right longs l can keep
away from that stuff
shut up. Billy" O'Ncil retorted un-
graciouslr. =" "'Tain't you; its a present
for the bride. And | reckon we'd bet
ter make ii tive of our best ponies.
They'll I've handy's anything up among
them Mennonite farmers. Now. fe-
lers, one. two. three. and crash!' And
with the last word half dozen or
more hotties delivered from as many
unerring hands crashed against ths
stone.