The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1916-12-22
CHAPTER xI-Continued.

>AoAJ AASA pckdu WI
ter delicately. She picked up the mug
and set 1t to her lips.
"Ugh!' She put 1t hastily back on
the table and looked gravely at the
young man. He was placidly slipping
the mixture.
"What is that. FrancisT
This? Tom-and- Jerry. Of course.
Just the thing for a cold day like
Why, Mary Alice. what's the matter:"
x wish you'll don't like-can't I
have a glass Of water?"
Sure. sure! But you'd better have
chocolate" He rang a bell and direct
ed the serving man to bring II. II
don't know-I suppose you're offended.
I thought you'd like the other. Every
body else does"
He finished his mug hastily. as II
fearing that something might cheat
him of It, and displayed half-annoyed
embarrassment.
I'm sorry" said the girl. 81 didn't
meant surprised me. You wouldn't
blame me IL l refused to drink-arse-
mic or something like that, would you:"
But this isn't
Yes, it is. To me it's no different
from any other poison, only little
slower. and-it makes people suffer
so, Francis! You don't know. you
can't know. Forgive me- l didn't
mean to spoil your good time"
Spoil nothing" cried Francis.
why. Mary Alice. this has been the
most perfect day I ever spent Oh.
Mary Alice, dear little pretty Mary
Alice, let's you and me get married.
Don't start in again. Francis!
mustn't let you talk like that, especially
when you've been-taking that"
THAT harmless little mugful? Pooh!
But never mind. Mary Alice. I'll make
bargain with you. l don't care a cent
for it. like it. sometimes. But it'll
never get the best Of"
Il thought it got you expelled from
college"
Francis Willett bounded out of his
chair as IL he had been shot at. He
stood over his companion, eyes blaz-
Ing.
Don't you dare to talk like that to
me, Mary Alice Brown" he cried
f1ercely. DO you think I'm nothing
but a kid? Look here; I'll show you"
He picked up the second mug. which
she had set down.
"WilI you marry me. or won't you?
Speak quick, now. You don't like this
stuff-you're afraid Of it. You say it's
poison. Well. then, I'll give you your
choice. Say you'll marry me-give me
your promise-and I'll give you mine
never to touch another drop as long
as l live. I'm in earnest. You be the
same. Come, what's the verdict?"
He set the little mug to his lips.
Mary Alice &hrew herself out of her
chair and struck at the cup. Francis
waved it out Of her reach, and the
contents spilled.
"Ouchr said Francis. "It's running
up my sleeve"
He lowered the mug, and Mary AL
Ice sent 1t spinning into the fireplace,
where the liquor sizzled and spat like
q snake among the Goals.
Lets go home" begged Mary Alice.
After your chocolate" said Fran
CHS.
Out in the open, under the early
DtoA o. IACy ePCu dAoh6 AhC lAoLSH COuu-
try roads again. Mary Alice said
nothing for long time. Francis. sub
dued and half-apologetic. gave his en-
tire attention to the wheel.
THAT wasn't bit nice Of you. Fran
els Willett." the girl said. at last.
You weren't fair with me. You
haven't any right to make me take
the responsibility of what you do
II meant it," said Francis. He was
Q trife glum. IT still mean it,
Listen. Francis" began Mary Alice.
gently. You want me to love you
against my better judgment. You
want me to do thing that would just
about break your mothers heart. She
wouldn't have you marry a shopgirl.
Besides. how can know? You're very
nice-when you want to be. But you're
Hch-a rich mans son. I'm poor-a
laborer's daughter. My mother used
TO take in washing. Lots Of girls would
jump at the chance. but l can't do it.
Something tells me not to. Why don't
you make me the promise. anyhow?
1t was your own suggestion. I didn't
ask it Of you. do ask it now. II
you do we'll you will be rich some day.
like your father. He is such good
man. You said yourself 1t was the
one thing"
Zone Of the two things
"One of the things that made you
60 on trying. Let's make a bargain.
Give me three years-two years. Go
on and do your best. Promise to keep
from drinking, just as you said you
could, and would. Then I'll make you
a promise. If your father and mother
want you to marry me at the end OF
the two years, I'll do it, provided you
keep your promise"
Francis Willett was twenty-one
years old, legally a man, actually a.
boy. He had tried the high hand and
failed He xas hurt and the defeat