Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-02-16
THE DRINK
BY FRANCES E. GOODRICH.

I
When he went away TO France he
carried with him the treasure OF a
girls love. and the sweetness of real.
lzation came TO him when he returned
and made Margaret his wife.
They found Il modest little fiat rear
seemed life OF quiet happiness. but
always in Margaret's heart was
the shadow Of coming evil
Al times John noticed her abstrac.
tion and when he asked the reas on
she would tell him of her feeling. aud
he would laugh and kiss her, and tell
her she needed more OF the outdoor
world and sunshine.
you must take long walk each
day. dear, and while you are out just
think OF all the rice things you can,
preferably of all the many virtues OF
man called Big Arm John" and he
winked at her slyly and swung her up
TO the ceiling as though she were
baby.
Then ensued scene that would
have done credit 10 a nursery, and
finally when John went away he left
IA flushed and laughing wife.
For some weeks that part of the
city had been the center Of operations
Of a party of bootleggers. and the po-
lice had been batiied for the time.
That memorable afternoon John
hurried home TO let her know that he
would he away all night.
The police had received news that
few miles from the city there was n
case worth investigating, and John
was one OF those designated for the
work. He and Herndon, in plain
clothes, started out in their speedy
little car, just as K began to grow
dusk. They had been pals In France.
IL tell you. John. I'm getting sick
of this business. This crime stuff IL
getting on my nerves Two years OF
scrapping in France and now chasing
bootleggers here. Bah. laugh il you
want to. hut I'm thinking seriously
OF taking the wife and Riddles and set
Ting down on little farm some
where"
John didn't laugh. Instead, he
clapped hand on his companions
shoulder.
Don't know but you're right. old
scout Sometimes | get fed up on
this stuff myself, hut the pays good.
and have 10 save some thing. Mar
garet wants me 10 give it up. She
seems afraid all the time something
so much, isn't IT,"
Mine is that way, too. Imagine
I'm killed about forty times a day.
Well, it's pretty nice to know they
think so much Of us. I'll say"
Say. Herndon,' he broke out sud
denly. Pull up on that car ahead.
Looks rather suspicious somehow"
Herndon pushed on speed and the
little car pulled up close beside the
larger one. There were two men In
It. chauffeur in livery, and man
about thirty Yeas OF age, evidently
well to do.
AS the car with the officers came
abreast the stranger rose In his seat,
and drawing small black bottle
from his pocket raised 1t TO his lips.
Then looking towards them he made
mock flourish with the flask, and
said In clear, ringing tones. I'VE who
are about to die. salute you"
stop" shouted the officer, and
springing clear from his own car land
ed on the running board Of the other.
Herndon. meanwhile. by skiiful
maneuver, brought his car directly
across the road. John was now In
the seat with the stranger. and grasp
ing the hand with the flask demanded
to know its contents. showing his
badge OF authority meanwhile.
my dear fellow, why should you
wish TO know what my precious bottle
holds? II but this glass were clear
you would see the wonderful golden
light OF the liquid within. Surely you
would not deny me the privilege OF
losing myself in its hidden wonders.
Don't you remember Omar's words:
why. be this juice the growth OF
God. who dare
Blaspheme the twisted tendril as
snare!
A blessing. we should use II, should
we not?
And if curse, why, then, who set II
there?"
81 don't know who Omar Is, and I
don't care. hut / do want to know
what is In that bottle. and II you won't
tell me I'll find out"
ut smells like liquor. but it's
queer smell too. Guess I'll have to
take a taste and make certain" John
had turned TO Herndon as he spoke,
and raising the flask TO his lips tasted
OF Il.
We'll. Won would do 1t. You know"
groaned the man In the car. "You
have taken my golden release and
while you go free my body must still
wear It's letters"
While he spoke J~hn looked at him
with a queer. dazed expression In his
eyes. A strange sagging appeared IN