Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-28
Ill.

made straight for Zech Thredgold's cot
tage. had two missions to fulfill-one with
Meg and the other with Sebert Corringham.
Not much to my surprise found that / could
make one journey do for both; for when
knocked ut the door it was opened by Meg and
could hear the voice of her elderly admirer
VINO was sitting at the tea table
Inc house was built i'll such primitive fash
ION that the front door opened into the family
sitting room; but a wooden screen had beer
built up to keep the draught out, so that no
one saw me but Meg when the door was
opened. The girl looked startled and rather
confused. But fastened to reassure her.
haven't come to tease you, don't be
AFRAID SAID, In most matter-of-fact tone
Il start for London tomorrow morning. Blu,
as have just learned something it NAV be to
your advantage 10 know / thought I'd better
run over here and tell you"
Meg twisted the door handle rather nery-
ously and seemed to wish to say something. But
would not give her time. / could not trust
myself not to do something idIotic if once we
came to parley. SO l rushed Oh with my speech
Your admirer in there-Mr. Corringham. y
Meg looked uneasy and blushed. You can
marry him without any fear of his first wife
turning up. She's dead. l thought it only
lalr 10 let you know this as soon as knew i,
myself. since | threw the doubt in your face
this morning"
Thank you," answered Meg. in a trembling
voice.
And now I should like to speak to Mr.. Cor.
rlngham, Would you ask him to see me?
won detaln him moro than few moments VI
Meg was spared the trouble of making this
announcement, for her elderly lover, with a
most portentous scowl on his face now made
MS appearance at the door with his hands
planted deeply in his pockets. He had heard
my voice and believed that had come to make
another attempt 10 supplant him with Meg
Tan have few words with you. Mr. Cor
bingham. on private matter of importance?''
asked coldly. before he had time to speak.
That's just what want" he answered, with
lowering and ferocious sullenness. which
seemed to brighten Meg. for she uttered CRY
and glanced from him to me in terror.
/ was in no way alarmed by his tone. But
Meg knew the brute better than l. He seized
his hat and, pulling the door, shut it roughly,
took me by the arm with a strong grip and
turned up with me across the moor to the left
AS he led me rapidly away q woman appeared
at the window. 1t was too dark for me to be
able to see more than this, that it was Meg and
that she was making me gestures of warning.
| felt far too secure in nv power of taking
care OF myself to take heed of these, but was
glad to find that my safety was not altogether
a matter of Indifference to her.
Meanwhile Corringham was hurrying for
ward, directing our steps over a rough and
been. 1t was some minutes before he smoke.
in a savage, logged tone which made me
wonder whether the poor little son l had dis
covered for him would not be better even
where he was than in the care OF such father.
Now. then" said he at last what do Won
mean by sinking up here after that lass when
yon had your orders Hands OFF,"
II take no orders from you," said very
quietly, knowing what sure position NV
errand gave me. But as it happens, the
business that brought me here had nothing.
or next to nothing, to do with Miss Tired
gold.
That's cursed lie, you"
felt myself suddenly seized by both arms,
turned and forced backward over the rough
ground. shouted 'Help!." struggled, but I
had been taken too much by surprise. Icould
neither free nor stop myself. Quicker and
quicker we went, over ground which STONED
down, until suddenly stopping with a Jerk.
my assai!ant flung me from him, tripping me
up.
moment later was living many feet below.
at the bottom of pit which had been dug for
qUarrying purposes but since abandoned. I
mad fallen with my right arm under me, and
tho stab OF pain felt in it as 1 touched the
earth told me Ut was broken. At the same time
l had sense enough to be thankful that had not
fallen on my back, for assuredly if had Sc
bert Corrineham need have feared my rivalry
no longer.
-, 'huh tnat, having given this pleasant
little vent to his passion, Corringham had q
moment OF conjunction. saw his burly figure
looking down into the pit, as he said grufiy.
YET thought, not without anxiety:
You'd better not have interfered, Won see. /"
My head was beginning to swim and nv
limbs to feel numb. knew that | must make
the most Of my time
Com" Go me. down here" I said; "you haven't
After little hesitation Corringham walked
around the edge OF the pit and came down by
an easier way than be had given me.
PUT your hand in my left-hand pocket here. {"
said; my arm is broken or would not
trouble you. Take out q book you will ind
there"
Sebert gave growl like an angry bear-it
was his way of showing pang of remorse. He
complied without o word and drew out the
volume OF poetry he had given to the girl he
married. saw him shake Ike q Ieaf-I heard
hoarse exclamation.
who gave you this?" he asked in low,
shaking voice.
s'Your son"
There WAS q moment of absolute silence.
Then the rough, sur,y man fed on his knees
beside me and began blubberine like baby,
incoherently thanking me, blessing me, inn
pioring my pardon, begging mo to tell him
more. Was his wife alive?
''No," said ], you ere quite free TO marry
Meg Thredgold."
"Oh, don't know about that" said Cor
bingham slowly. ''Shs likes You best you