The west shore., July 05, 1890, Page 845, Image 13

WEST SHORE.
8-15
often fail of getting back what they have lost of man
hood and self control. I must know you can give up
drink by seeing you do it before I can promise you."
Ray's face flushed hotly. Who was Nell Edmonds,
that she should presume to demand more of him than
his word ! Why should he be put on trial ! His
pride rose in arms, and even love fled as he said
" I should not think of any test of my word, Miss
Edmonds, but I see you do not love me. Love doesn't
argue things out in that cool fashion. I shall do as I
please, and leave you the same privilege. When it
pleases you I will take you home."
At this Nell's temper rose, too. She would have
gone home alone, but she knew that would greatly
displease her parents.
" We will go now, Mr. Kingsley," she said, draw
ing her slender figure up to its fullest dignity. " I
know it is not customary to use any common sense on
the question of love, but I had a friend who took a
man's simple word. He meant what he promised, but
in spite of his love and her faith, he brought untold
misery upon her, and was killed in a drunken row."
Ray was subdued by Nell'f evident emotion, but
again pride whispered
" She doesn't love you she puts you on a level
with a common drunkard."
So, in offended silence, he assisted her to mount,
and they rode home scarcely interchanging a word.
That night Ray and Frank rode to the nearest settle
ment, and the next week's county paper had an ac
count of a disgraceful scene at Lowell's saloon. No
names were mentioned, but Nell knew where her
brother and his friend were on that night.
As Fourth of July approached great preparations
were made for its celebration at the county seat. Nell,
who was considered the most graceful and beautiful
girl in the county, was invited to represent Liberty in
the parade. She refused at first, feeling she could not
take so conspicuous a position, but she was finally
persuaded, and a most beautiful goddess she was in
her mantle of stars and stripes, with the crown upon
her proud little head.
Ray had been very gay since his talk with Nell at
Willow Glen. Few suspected the hollowness of his
mirth. He and Frank had avowed their intention of
assisting the cowboys to " paint the town red " on the
Fourth, and early that morning they started off with
many jests, and Nell and her father soon followed.
The young men repaired to their favorite saloon,
and then ensued a round of treats, after which a
party of eight sat'down for a game of cards. Frank
was considerably muddled and soon grew silly, and
his speeches caused roars of laughter in the group.
Soon there came a sound of music, and as it came
nearer the young men became aware that the proces
sion was approaching and would pass by the saloon.
Frank sprang up, exclaiming in his drunken way
"I'ma-goin'I W'y not? Horse right out 'ere!
Easies' thing to join 'em I Cm on, fellers I "
They all laughed and he reeled out. They caught
sight of him as his horse reared around, bewildered
by the music and his rider's contradictory movements.
Nearer came the procession, the band playing " Hail,
Columbia." The wagonload of girls dressed in white,
with the flag draped, and Liberty standing in tho con
ter, was just opposite tho window. The band clashed,
every patriotic spirit responded with "Three cheors
for the red, white and blue." There was a commotion,
a scream of horror, a sudden halting along tho lino,
and Ray, still sitting at the card table, heard dis
tinctly: " He's dead I Oh, he's dead ! " in Nell's voico,
the usually silvery tones fraught with grief and ter
ror. Then, as if in pantomime, he saw the sunny
haired, golden-crowned Liberty lifted out of tho car of
state and her fluttering ilag draperies partially cover
a prostrate form some men were carrying into tho next
house. Ray and the other young men, stupefied with
drink and a nameless horror, still sat at tho tablo, but
now Ray arose, steadying himsolf by tho table, and
raising one hand solemnly, he exclaimed
" With God's help, not another drop of liquor shall
ever pass my lips 1 "
Taking his hat ho left tho room with a firm step.
,
A year had passed. Ray had spent it at his own
place, almost entirely alone, busying himsolf with his
cattle and spending his leisure hours in reading. He
had seldom met Nell, but he saw grief had only added
a new beauty to her face. He realized over and over
what a mistake ho had made in getting angry at her
earnest, womanly talk, for ho really loved her, but
could never expect her to forgive and forget his sharo
in her brother's death.
Tho Fourth of July had como again, but Ray felt
sick whenever ho thought of a demonstration. Ho
stayed at homo alono, and if retrospection is good for
man, he surely should have been benefited. Ho sat
under a treo about four o'clock in the afternoon, when
he heard hoof beats, and glancing up saw could ho
believe his eyes 1 Nell Edmonds, sitting quietly on
her pony, gazing at tho spot sho had selected for build
ing. Ray readily saw she had come becausosho be
lieved him to havo gono away. From Iiih position ho
could see her earnest, sad expression, and at last saw
her clasp her hands and murmur
" Oh, Ray, Rav I How can you bo so cruel ? "
In an instant ho was besido her, crying eagerly
" Rut how did I know you could trust mo ? "
And with roses chasing over brow and cheek she
Bal " Don't you suppose I heard of your Declaration of
Independence ? " F. A. Rkynoi.dh.