Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-06
"HAs HEAVEN NO MERcY?"

Zenas looked into the face before him-a
womans upturned face, full of agony. the
moon shining so full upon it that every line
was visible. Then he said softly and quickly:
show you"
He relaxed his hold and thrust hand into
his pocket, continuing to talk fast
MIR. Maytham, you say you're too weak to
run far; you won't be safe In your own house
hurry into mine-here's the kew to the back
door-go upstairs as softly and as far as you
can-theres nobody on the top floor and
there's light enough in the halls for you to see
your way. Don't make noise or you'll rouse
my family. Now's your chance-knock me
aside and hurry across the fence--quick. Go
softly-on your toes-keep in the shadow"
Away sped Maytham. and Zenas continued as
two men came hurrying into the garden gate:
Remember, madam-'twas a burgIar-he
ran across my back yard-he hurt me badly
you're trying to restore me--make them help
you-don't let them take me into nv house till
I'm restored"
Then. for the men were almost upon him.
that good little man played hypocrite with con-
summate ability. He begged the men not to
leave him, bade them see how terribly injured
he was, sent Mrs. Maytham into her house for
water and stimulants and told the story of the
attempted burglary at great length, until one
Of the men said
well. l 'spose faint no use to try to find the
Teller now-he's got too much start It's only
i
heerda ladder bein' took from house next
me. Thieves says to myself / peeked out
OF winders one side an another then woke
brother Jim an him an me went out kinder
keerful like. We could see in the moonlight
where the ladder had been dragged along in
the dust of the road. Comm round bend we
thort we herd it hit somethin'-ladders allus
make noise when they bump wooden house
an it's kind O. noise you can hear good way
in still night like this. We began to run
then an when we herd the hollerin' we knowd
where to come"
$50 good of YOU" whispered Mrs. Maytham.
Ever so much obliged" said Zenas. Then,
realizing for the first time that Mrs. Maytham
was not in daylight attire, he whispered some
thing to the men, who abruptly turned, said
goodnight" and went away.
MIR. Bortley." said the woman, seizing her
neighbors hands, "you are a noble man."
Madam" said the little man, who, in spite
of broken nose and closed eye, now felt him
self the equal OF any one alive, lyon are a true
woman. Try to feel easy about your husband.
He will be safer in my house than in his own,
until we see how the authorities regard the
burglar story. They can't suspect me-wIth
this face"
Then he turned quickly and entered his
house. Softly ho went up the stairs and
searched the top floor, light in hand, until he
found the fugitive, to whom he whispered:
Take the room with the bed in it, Turn the
key SO none Of my children happen in on you
Ia the morning. III arrange for your wife to
come in. I'll get MY wife and the youngsters off
some way after breakfast and we haven't any
servants to poke around. Goodnight"
Then the little man proceeded to bury him
self In his own reflections and a wet towel with
lump OF ice in it. With a clearer head than
he ever had taken to his desk in the city he
nevertheless had many conflicting emotions.
Within single hour-a mere quarter OF an
hour, indeed-he had been guilty Of cowardice,
suspicion, heartlessness and several other un-
pardonabe sins; he also had INDUCED in vio-
lence, discrimination and a threat to commit
murder, or at least manslaughter. He had
imagined himself dying of fright; he had fought
larger man without the slightest sensation Of
fear. He, member OF the church, was even
now hiding fugitive from justice; he, mar
ried man, had stood some moments in the
presence OF another mans wife who was in
light evening attire before he was conscious OF
the delicacy Of the situation. He had sprung
to the rescue because the intended victim-as
he supposed-was q woman; yet that very same
woman had called his incompatible family q
gang. As he reviewed the evenings expert
ences his mentality became clouded to such an
extent that he crept into bed to seek refuge in
sleep. As he softly stretched himself his wife
sighed. half waking:
Il thought I-heard noise-little while
| ago."
"Yes, dear; tumbled down. It's all right
now; go to sleep"