"All right, Pearl," he said. "I promise you Bill won't get a drop here to-day." He tried to smile. "I hope the photo will turn out well."
"Thank you, Mr. Braden," Pearl said. "Good-bye."
Sandy Braden went back to the bar-room and told his bartender not to sell to Bill Cavers under any consideration. The bartender, who owned a share the business, became suspicious at once.
"Why not?" he asked.
"Because I don't want Bill Cavers to get drunk, that's all," he said shortly.
"Out with it, Sandy. Who's been at you? the W. C. T. U. been interviewing you?"
"That's none of your business Bob. If I choose to shut down on Bill
Cavers it's nobody's business, is it?"
"Well, now, I guess it's some of my business," the bartender said. "Don't forget that I have a little interest in this part of the joint; and besides, you know my principles. I'll sell to any one who has the money—we're out for the coin, and we're not runnin' any Band of Hope."
"Now, see here, Bob, this man Cavers drinks up every cent he earns, and to-day I happen to know that he is trying to keep straight. They've come in to get a photo taken, and she hasn't been off the farm for years."
The bartender laughed.