Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1916-07-21

ID
whats that, chocolate?" asked
Mary Alice. Her mouth began to wa
aer delieately. She picked up the mug
and set it to her lips.
"Ughr' She put it hastily back on
the table and looked gravely at the
young man. He was placidly slipping
the mixture.
what is that, FrancsT"
This? Tom-and-Jerry, of course.
Just the thing for cold day like
Why, Mary Alice, what's the matter?"
IL wish you'll don't like-can't
have glass of water?"
"Sure, sure! But you'd better have
chocolate" He rang a bell and direct
ed the serving man to bring it. 81
don't KNOW suppose you're offended.
1 thought you'd like the other. Every
body else does"
He finished his mug hastily. as IL
fearing that something might cheat
him of 1t, and displayed half-annoyed
embarrassment
"Im sorry" said the girl. 81 didn't
meant surprised me. You wouldn't
blame me If l refused to drink-arse-
mic or something like that, would your"
"But this isn't"
Eyes, it is. To me it's no different
from any other poison, only a 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"
".
"Wby, Mary Alice. this has been the
most perfect day ever spent Oh.
Mary Alice, dear little pretty Mary
Alice, let's you and me get marriedv'
"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. / don't care a cent
for it. l like it, sometimes. But it'll
never get the best Of"
Il thought 1t got you expelled from
college"
Francis Willett bounded out Of his
chair as If 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
fiercely. do you think I'm nothing
but kid? Look here; I'll show you"
He picked up the second mug. which
she had set down.
will 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 threw herself out of her
chair and struck at the cup. Francis
waved it out Of her reach, and the
contents spilled.
"Ouchr' said Francis. "Its running
up my sleeve"
He lowered the mug, and Mary Al
Ice sent it spinning into the fireplace,
where the liquor sizZled and spat like
a snake among the Goals.
Lets go home" begged Mary Alice.
AFTER your chocolate" said Fran
els.
Out in the open, under the early
stars, they sped along the frozen coun-
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
a trihe glum. II 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
nlce-when you want to be. But you're
rich--a rich mans son. I'm poor--a
aaborer's daughter. My mother used
TO take in washing. Lots of girls would
jump at the chance, but can't do 1t.
Something tells me not to. Why don't
you make me the promise. anyhow?
1t was your own suggestion. | didn't
ask it of you. do ask 1t now. Ii
you do well you will be rich some day.
like your father. He is such a good
man. You said yourself 1t was the
one thing"
Gone of the two things"
s'One of the things that made you
go on trying. Let's make 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
Iarnr1alsa If uaiar fa thor nd r,atlaar