The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-08-31

run Guo WftotS tutH8s
Think how it'll feel running down your
throat and remember how it smellsi'
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'Neilr' he implored. Don't,
don't, don'tv' his voice rising quaver-
ingly. You know how it's with me-"
It'll do you good" infiexibly. You
are getting thin from going without 1t
so long, and it's better to enjoy the
stuff trucking 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. 81 don't
want to. II l smell I can't stop then.
You and mes been good friends,
O'Neil, and I've danced and-and
drunk a lot for you. Let me of this
time. And-and, If you don't mind, I'd
like to say why"
"Oh, let the poor devil make his on
f~ession, O'Neil," i~nterposed one of the
cowboys good naturedly. you know
how It's with Patterpat- If be smells,
as he says. he won't stop easy. Itn be
two months before he sobers up. Let
him start in right"
Billy shot him a grateful look.
Its like this" he said. with q pa
thetic eagerness in his voice. ~Six
months ago 1 happened to be up In
the country, and / saved q girls life.
She was caught by a bear, and-and L
suppose I acted some brave. Anyhow,
she and her folks thought SO and took
me In. Since then I've been up there
and l amt tasted a drop, and I've been
feelin' that mebbe 1 could make some
thing of myself some time, like I used
to think IA long while ago." There
was a little catch in his voice; then he
went on In lower tones: me and the
girl was to be married. / came down
today for a 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 cowboyst'1f
| tWdu 1 1OI l4c WAlShy L DC4cf0 i COQl0
be a good man again-a better n than
you could eve be, Danny. But, Of
course'-his 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 l was hat way. When they find
this out It'll be over with US. I'll run
through myself soon's I 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 a pity to spill such good stuff"
he said regretfully. but it's got to be-"
Then in a louder voice: Here, you fell
lers, see that stone over tother side
the street? Well. every one who's got
a bottle shy at that. and the one who
breaks into the most pieces Will 20
with Billy TO see about the ring and
license. Then wen all club In for =
present and
Billy's head went up suddenly. His
eyes were moist
NO. no." he 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 | can keep
away from that stuff"
shut up. Billy." O'Neil retorted uu-
g~raciouSly. "'Tain't you: it's a present
for the bride. And | reckon we'd bet
ter make it two of our best ponies.
They'll be handy's anything up among
them Mennonite farmers. Now. fell
lers, one. two. three. and crashr' And
with the last word a half dozen or
more bottles delivered from as many
nnerring hands crashed against the
one