The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17

back early tomorrow, perhaps tonight"
| but he took her hand.
No; good bye, John she said. Some
| times can see further than human
eyes can see now that You win not
| come with his forgiveness. and without
repentance. the Lord viii not bless your
he pressed her hand and laughed
T repent Martha, ana he shall for
| give me ! shall be back soon"
;He needs the money badly" he said
to himself as he went down stairs and
| out into the dark wet street, Very
comes and says to her 4 forgive him"
AS the door closed behind him. he
paused in the heavy shadow OF the houses
70 raise his umbrella. \ man passNd
swiftly down the street and glanced Gag
eriy at him. John Evans raised his coat
collar and felt the pocketbook IN his
his side pocket as he stepped ont into
the fog and darkness and assured him
SER of the presence there OF revolver.
~ " too much money he thought. to
carry unguarded, and he kept his fingers
on the butt OF the pistol.
The man VINO had passed down the
street came swiftly up behind him He
leaped upon tho booltkeeper and, with
one hand clntehing his throat. forced
him, b,a,ekwarl choking him. while
Johns coat and grasped the old man's
One LOUD cry Of dismay burst from
and then he turned and struggled and
fought furIously. His assailant did not
speak, and in the darkness his face was
unrecognizable, but John chung 10 him
closely, his soul bent on regaining the
money he had worked so hard 10 earn.
His fingers stlll touched the revolver.
With an effort he drew ii. but his as
sallant was as quick as he, and clutched
The agony Of the bookkeepers one
startled cry had pierced the silence OF
the dark, deserted street, and the hasty
tramp OF an alarmed policeman mingled
with the rafting Of an opening door, as
Miss Martha stepped out on the porch
a flood Of light fell from the hallway on
the struggling men, wrestling and catch
Ing iiercely with one another for possess
sion Of the pistol
AS Miss Martha looked on them the
elder man fell back IN iismay, crying
the weapon was discharged and he
dropped, huddled up in Il lifeless heap
on the wet ana muddy street Turning
WIN white and desperate face, the
peared In the darkness, ms the police-
men and the swiftly gathering crowd
came up and surrounded the wounded
, nan Tiiiie others hnstened In the direc-
uon taken by the lying thief
AZ Mits Martha's request they bore
ntr lover into her house. and there for
he was rapidly dying, they tried 10 make
him tell what had happened. Miss Martha
held his hand and his glazing eyes were
nNed on hers alone as the OFFICIALS aues-
TONED MIN. For u time he said nothing.
PVT leeplY pressed Miss Maltha'a hand
= policeman came in. breathless and
heated, and whispered TO his superior
Maid. $50
lie has escaped. whoever ne was.
ASK we gentleman, for he seems TO pay
no attention 10 any one but yoii-asit
him 70 describe the murderer, or he
VIII get away safely.3
Miss Martha had already OWNED,
but she whispered with trembling ms;
Who was H. John7"
te smiled family and made an EFFORT.
IT was dark he said too dark
To sce-his fAcei'
The policeman turned away disap.
pointed Miss Martha bent over inc
nei and listened as the dying man tried
20 whisper IN her ear
pe-couldnt wait-until tomorrow
Martha, bilt the-the atonement-"
Re fell back and died.
II think John" she murmured '.ohi
yes John, think, Il is oomplete."
p, Y. Black.