Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-24

arms. on came the train under full, speed
and no sign was given that had been seen or
heard. In a few moments IL would reach me.
mastering all my strength 1 made one last
grand EFFORT. "Stop for your life" shouted,
as the engine few past me.
l was heard. Quick and sharp came the
whistle for brakes. Ina moment more a shower
of sparks was flying from the track, and knew
that the engine had been reversed The speed
of the train was now checked a little; could it
yet be saved: A moment OF unutterable sus-
Pense and horror followed. Too late. The
momentum carried It on to the fatal place and
headlong II went down over the steep embank-
ment.
] will not distress you with the ho-rors sam
when made my way back to the culyert There
were plenty of uninjured passengers to care fnr
the wounded until help arrived, and, glad to
escape from the scene, set out as fast As my
limbs would carry me toward Four Oaks. As
neafeu the village | was fortunate enough To
meet Two men on horseback, who, of course
lHiheulately turned to give the alarm. The
people were soon aroused. and hurried to the
wreck with hand-cars and wagons and the re-
moval OF the dead and wounded to Four oaks
was commenced with all possible expedition.
Three persons had been killed outright and a
dozen or more seriously injured. | remained at
me station, anNously watching to see ii any one
OF my acquaintance was among the sufferers
My vague fears were realized. My cousin Giles
was one of the dangerously wounded.
Uncer other circumstances do not suppose
could have brought myself to treat him with
even common civility but when | saw him w.
Dg before me senseless, and perhaps dying. my
ard thoughts melted away, and was ready to
what | could for him to the uttermoSt |
REQUIRED tie most comfortable quarters | could
nd the best medical attendance and then of
curse, sent for bis parents. They arssved the
ext morning and found Giles deliripus A
eveTe blow on the head had stunned him. and
consciousness returned, a raging fever set in .
For many days and nights we watched the
trugge between Life and Death. When the
crisis came that was to decide the battle, Life
aimed the victory. Giles fell into a ne icefnl
lumber. and aWokc saved.
When went to see him the next day his wan
lace lighted up with q smile, and as soon as
got near enough he reached ont his thin, white
hand, saying: "ATthur. nv dear old hos. how
can ever thank you? Mother has told me all
you saved my life
":
Fol the frat eight or ten days after the fever
had gone, Giles remained SO weak that he was
unable to converse beyond a few words at long
intervals. During this time was frequently in
MS room, and he always appeared to be pleased
TO see me. Here was new puzzle. Day after
day lie welcomed me in a manner so confdinp
and with look SD innocent, that | began to
doubt If II were possible that he could he guilty
of the crime with which he stool charged In INV
mind. Could il be, asked myself, that one
who looked so fair should be so unutterabIy
foul? Yet had weighty reasons for believing
mat Giles was the man who had stolen the
diamonds.
| continued in this bewildered state until
Glles hlmsei threw weight into the scales
him. AS soon as he was able to speak at all in
more than monOsyllables, he said to me: Ar
'hur, | have done YOU wrong | am too weak
yet TO tell you more. | have tried to look so
you would know that | wanted to be at peace
with you" now believed, of course that Giles
alluded to his endeavOr to supplant me in the
ther, that be had something to tell me about the
loss OF the diamonds. How far | was right Won
VIII very soon discover, as had not long to wait
lor my cousins revelations
1ay afte he 10
ter he felt strong enough TO tell me what was
on his mind. 1t was still hard work for the
poor fellow to talk. but he seemed So intent on
telling his story that | could not prevail on him
TO wait, and, to tell the truth, / was so over.
powered by the desire to hear it that made
out feeble show of resistance. He had evil.
dehty arranged that our interview should have
no WltD6 sses, for we were left alone very soon
after | came in.
Arthur he began, "you know what want
20 tel yOu abQuto''
Eyes" sad]f.
He smiled family and nodded and then, after
a little pause, resumed: 81 was a yerv great VII
ain, Arthur, to do as | did. But it seemed 10
me couldn't help loving her. | parted you
TWO, but L mean to bring YOU together again
hattle never did care anything for me, after all
found that out the day before left Fairfield
anu I. was on my way to see you and tell you to
dent" WV
lie paused now as though he had finished, and
ooked Tor me TO make some reply. Human
u
would make a bold stroke.
Never mind about that now" said /; "tell
me about the diamonds
Giles looked puzzled-as though he did not
know why had asked the question-but promDt-
" replied with a smile:
"Ah, you guessed it was l who took them! 1t
was"
But how" persisted, "did you get themo',
win an air OF surprise, rs though he sup
osed that, by guessing one part OF the riddle,
! had discovered all, he replied:
''Why. | bit On The right figures to omen
ock."
He paused to rest, and had time to reflect
IN his singular behavior. | found myself losing
Datience. Instead of waiting to hear a full eS.
llanation of how the safe had been opened
row he had managed to find out the cOmbina-
ion on which i had locked it'll interrupted
lim with, "Come, come, Giles, am ready 20
orgiye you all the wrong you have done me but
| don't like to hear you speak SO lightly and
thing"
once more the puzzled look came into his
ace, and he said:
/" don't quite understand YOU"
Az THIS could contain myself no longer,
How can you talk so, Giles cried, latter
obbing Hattie, and then suffering me to be
branded As the thief?"
For Heavens sake, Arthur" he reioined.
what do you mean"
was blind with indignation. | could not see
he mischief l was doing.
MEAN" retorted /, with a sneer, as a new |
des flashed into my mind, 81 mean that YOU
IRE greater scoundrel than thought YOU a
moment ago. | understand you now. You ,
bought L didn't know that Hattie's diamonds /
we're never returned, and that you put back in |
he ir place only a vile imitation"
L shall never forget the look of horror and |
hsmay mat Giles gave me, as | finished. His |
yes rested on me but moment; he gave a short |
'asp for breath; a deathly palor crept over his |
ace, and, for moment or two, thought had
silled him.
/, of course, lost no time in calling for help.
Wy cousin lay for some time in death-like |
woon. but by and by began slowly to revive |
As coon as l saw this | quietly Withdrew, for
ear the sight of me might do fresh damage
That night Giles was again very ill., was
verpowered by anxiety and stricken by re-
morse. My troubles were intensified BY nv soil
,itude to learn the remainder of the story | had
o rashly interrupted. If Giles should die now,
might never hear it, and would then be left |
more hopelessly in the dark than before.
V.
My worst fears for Giles were happily not
ealized. In a few days had the intense salts
action Of knowing that he was again out of
Hanger. L dared not risk another interview
until there was no chance OF a second relapse;
md, as the best way of avoiding it, left Four
oaks for home. Giles made anxious inquiries
or me, but / refused to return until the doctor
assured his mother that 1t would be safe then
went down. 1 had scarcely got into my cousins
-oom when he asked his other friends to retire.