The Raymer enterprise., 1918-01-24

In building the big bridge! Just i'm
aglne what they think Of him in New
York when they do that"
Eyes, that's fine. I want to see hin
get along. But l don't want to see you
get to caring enough for him to-tc
spoil your life"
"Spoil my life?" echoed the Cir
blankly.
"Yes. You can never tell when O
man that's been drunkard once will
take to 1t again. You can't trust him
I'd rather die than see anyone cared
for marry that sort of man.
Ethels affection for her aunt. aud
her love for this man-for she knew
now 1t was love-were so nearly
crushing her in the warfare that she
could say no more and she brought
the interview to an end by making an
excuse to 60 to her room.
Irwin Banks lived with his sister
who had been one Of the principal fac.
tors in helping him to rise to the 20.
sition he now held. II was with his
sister that Ethel had first met him.
She was attracted by the good-lookine
young man with the high. firm car,
riage Of the head, the straight gaze
and the wholesome smile, and she wns
further held by his ability to say some.
thing worth while, and saying II rath.
er well. She had met him In his own
home by invitation Of his sister, and
had asked him to call. 1t was after
his second visit. at both of which Miss
Crane had pretended illness as an ex.
cuse for not appearing, that the lady
had given her emphatic reasons for
not wishing him to call again.
Ground between the millstones Of
her divided duty Ethel sought the
counsel of Mary Banks.
Aunt Melissa has been to me a see
ond mother. ! love her very dearly.
How can / go dead against Der wishes.
II must ask him not to cal, again.
Ethel said.
"And do you think Irwin will ~ Ii
20 at that?" cried his sister. "May, 2
YOU don't know what this means +,
him."
Ethels heart gave big throb. She
knew what 1t meant to her. In the
meeting Of their eyes, the sister knew.
"Will you ask your aunt to come
and see mel" she said.
"Oh, she never would" asserted
Ethel.
Not If she COULD help it, of course .
rejoined Mary. "But you've got to put
your foot down, and be firm. Just say
you can't tell him not to call, and you'd
be likely to see him In other places
anyway. II she wants to shut OFF all
communication between you and Mr..
Irwin Banks, the only way Is to come
and lay the case before his sister,"
Ethel looked dubious, but promised
to be firm, and the two conspirators
parted.
Miss Crane stoutly protested she
would do nothing Of the kind, but as
relations remained decidedly strained
she concluded 1t was the only way t.
conclude peace.
The day she had appointed to call
on Miss Banks was cold and buster
ing, and snow began to fall heavily
while she was on the way. She had
to walk nearly mile, and she ar
rived at the Banks cottage. chilled, wet
and bedraggled. Mary Banks met her
with such CHEEKY cordlality, ana took
of her wet wraps with such solicltudp
for her health, making her sit very
near the fire to dry her feet, and talk
ing pleasantly all the time that her
caller found 1t difficult to make IN
opening for her errand. At last she
got up courage to begin.
Miss Banks, l am"
"Just minute, Miss Crane! Let
me get you something warmw
Miss Crane protested she did not
need anything, but suddenly Miss
Banks regarded her with deep alarm.
"Oh" she cried, "how badly you look
Why, you are having a chill There
is SO much pneumonia about! shall
get you something at once"
Miss Crane admitted she was still
cold, and allowed her to have her
way.
"It's Just little hot lemonade" she
said, handing the tall tumbler to her
guest.
Miss Crane, already alarmed about
her condition, took long draft Of
the mixture. Suddenly she set II
down with a frightened look at the
other woman. there's liquor In I'll"
she cried.
"Oh, only the least bit. If you had
a doctor here he'd make you take il.
You'll have pneumonia II you don't!'
Miss Crane now thoroughly fright
ened, swallowed the whole Of 1t. 1t
was really very liberal allowance of
"old rye" and not being used to lntoxl-
cants, she was soon conversing glibly,
and feeling very much at home with
her hostess. Mary showed her broth
er's picture, and regaled her with his
wonderful achievements. Miss Crane
quite forgot what she had come for,
and invited them both to call Mary
telephoned for conveyance, and sent
her guest home happy.
Ethel received the unexpected news