Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-12

evening, as Carter was returning home, he
met Mr. Dtbiin, who was very angry that,
MIN. Carter was insolent, and MIR. Diblin
threatened to give him in charge, where
upon Carter. who was not sober, pulled cut
MS revolver-which he had bought from a
native few weeks beforehand shot Mr..
Dlbhn Garter did not at first think that
MI; Dibiin was dead, but imagined that he
from the pockets of the PROSTATE man all
the money he carried, a large sum, amount
ing IN notes and gold to several hundred
pounds; he also took a watch and chain.
Carter had scarcely accomplished this when
man turned the corner Of the street and
came toward him.
puilding and waited for the man to pass
Instead OF this, however. the man laid down
on stoop few yards away. Carter wait
ed some time; but as the man did not move
he came to the conclusion that he must be
asleep. Then Carter slipped out OF the
shadow, and. going up to Mr.. Diblin once
bered by the horrible discovery and fearful
OF the consequences, he threw the revolver
from him. Then he took Mr. Diblin's watch
and a portion of the notes and placed them
in the pockets Of the sleeping man. 1t was
a deviiish act. Carter did not know tin
afterward who it was that he had so cru
ELY injured. He tried, he said. tC make
what reparation he could by helping Clark
son to escape from prison, providing him
with money and disguise ana helping {,
as much excited about the confession as II
was about the crime. and every one Is now
asking. Where is CiarksonT But that Is
question no one seems able to answer. he
has vanished as completely as II the earth
had swallowed him up. If he is still In the
land of the living the newspapers VIII soon
reach his eve. and he will learn that he
need no longer skulk about in hiding. but
that he is free to return to Johannesburg
whenever he wishes"
had helped him to escape and done so much
for him! Why had he never suspected the
reason before? He read the NEWSPAPER tS r,s ae,
Christmas afternoon. Each time II seemed
it brought him greater, deeper Joy. The
iron was f5 re f ss heart
He was free Free from the weight OF
agonizing shame that for year and half
had hung like milestone around ms meek eek
now He was free to return to The Rand.
Minnie, mother, marriage. seemed to ring
in his ears from invisible bells, and to bring
a message as sweet as that which greeted
the watchers on that night nearly nine
teen hundred years ago, when there came
the glad tidings to all men.
The next day he sold his diamond 1t
realized much more than ever he had an
ticipated
Four days later he was in johannesburg
the scene Of his bitter shame and misery.
He lost no time in seeking Minnie. Her
family. he found had removed to Doom
fontein-the Belgravta of the Golden City.
Mr.. Colbeck had made his pile, ana big
one, during the boom.
Thomas was soon standing at the gate. A
light was shining from one Of the windows.
He went up softly and looked into the room.
Seated on a couch in the corner Of the
room, where the light fell softly upon her.
was Minnie. More beautiful than ever she
appeared to him. though with a wistful sad
ness in her eyes that not even the smile
which at that moment parted her lips could
wholly Danish.
For some time he realized the rapture OF
the occasion, gazing fondly upon the noble,
true-hearted girl whose confidence in him
had never wavered for an instant from the
outset. He did not notice that a second
lady was in the room until movement OF
Minnies diverted his view In another di-
rection.
Surely there was something familiar
about the hand which he could only just
see then. Then another movement dis
closed-his mother.
The next moment Thomas was in the
room.
What followed may be left to the imagi-
nation Of the reader. 1t was a very happy
evening.
The wedding took place three weeks
later The congratulations were numerous
Just before the happy event Minnie re-
ceived letter bearing the Pretoria post
mark 1t was a kind missive. full Of good
wishes. 1t bore no signature strange to
say. but neither Thomas nor Minnie doubt
ed whose hand had penned the lines
God, the best maker OF all marriages,
Combine your hearts I'm one"