The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-06-07
THE MAN WHO


| Long illness and the constant
brooding NJ my Punishment from
old circles OF associates had weak
ened mo morally. | was going to-
pieces under Rdyereity.
grew suspicious OF Anna. Ugly
thoughts began TO fit thru my
mind Worse was TO come.
One night came home with .
faint of liquor on my breath. Al
| little defiant WAS about n. u
had hobnobbed with my old enemy
along Powell st. and Market
and John Barleycorn had flushed
me with lust to hurt what held
most dear
When Anna kissed mo her
face grew dcathly white.
"oh, Johni" she cried. Don't
do thatl Don't begin drinking.
know that things have seemed
TO 90 all wrong Of late. But
don't Oct dishesrtered. Whisky
won't help. I'm afraid OF liquor.
John--espoeiaIIy for you. Please
don't"
She had prasped tho lapels
OF my coat. searching my eyes
with a troubled care. There
was In her bIsnehed face
great fear. II was like the look
had often seen In my moth
er's eyes when che had helped
me battle thru my obsesslna
weakness 20 what had thought
permanent Victory.
My shame over that lapse was
Hhort.livcd Meantime. however,
Anna mnrHhaled all her powers To
check this new peril to our happi,
nenS. She OWNED that jealousy
was the hidden companion OF the
tempter. Barleycorn. With pathetic
tact sh. tried TO show me how un.
founded were my suspected doubts.
sho laid aside the flnery with
which she had delighted 10 adorn |
which she had delighted 10 adorn her
had duly resented OF late. She
vent nowhere save In ms company.
Sh. sewcd patiently on n gray. al.
most purIsanicaliy simple street |
dreas. her fingers raw with the |
prick OF the unaccustomed needle.
The dress hung sborlnxbiy.
but there WAS IN her the desire
20 ehsssise herself. TO Insult the
body 40 the old monks once
mortified the flesh. Gradually
caught the significance OF Il.
and the ps,hos OF that unloveiy
sress on Annals pretty figure.
She was determined 20 make her. |
self ~ drnb and lneonspicuous nv
poaslbie--to diharm my unreason.
ing jealousy. only In the evening |
when | came home from work TO l
IN. simple meals OF her unskilled
cooking did sho don the dainty
finery which abe loved like all nor.
NAL women. and which so became
her.
Despite these ycarning appeals
TO my manhood. to my love and |
pity. the twin monsters continued
20 writhe within me. A few weeks
later ! found myself again wander.
ing along Pacific st. suffering tor
msnt like that OF a man who an.
noys an aching tooth.
Into one dive and dance hall after
another ! drifted And Barieycorn
had me Familiarity by tho arm.
Ny head was swimming when
. bedisened woman sidled 10 20
the table where I sat and placed
her arm fsmiIisriy about my
shoulders. In my ssupor
dicnt resent the approach. Sew.
srsi minutes later my mind
cleared again and 4 knew that
: had danced with her. rose
20 take another turn when
looming figure iunaed against
me.
Before ssupor finally settled
down In . cloud I recognized
Blp> Martin. Ne brushed my
painted companion aside and
had me BY the arm with . pain
fui grip. cursina In my ear. he
hurried me 20 the street.
Once again I reused momcntar.
lily. Wo were in darkened street.
Martin was bending over ms with
a look OF flaming fury: then black
ness
Ito BE Contlnued.)