Evening star., 1897-03-27

It will hearten every workingman and be
warning to every employer"
The chorus in the hall was broken by
three sharp raps Of mallet on table.
The sound of the singing subsidized and the
voice of some one calling the meeting to
order was heard.
Edna slowly raised her eyes and looked
at him, with fash Of fearing defiance in
them. She spoke in an agitated whisper.
You remember what you said to me in
the garden at Eastbourne If you will do
what ask Of you l will do as you wish
when-when you ask me-"
The young nan, his trembling right hand
clenching and unclenching nervously,
strobe a step forward.
NO, no. she cried. "Stay where you
are. Answer me, answer me-
"Oh. Edna" he whispered, God knows 1
would do anything to win you-anything-
yes. almost what you ask"
Yes or no?" she cried. Answer me-"
Il cannot be traitor to the men,"
AS If in approval of this sentiment
cheer rose from the hall.
Some one was speaking. and, even In his
misery, Marsten recognized the voice OF
Gibbons
Edna turned without a word and opened
the door. Marsten followed her out.
Stay wnere you are,' she said, with
sob.
Il will see you to the station"
mo: you must not come near me. hope
never to see you again"
4 will you to the station" repeated
Marsten, doggedly.
The girl said nothing more, but walked
hurriedly down the narrow passage, the
young man following her. She sprang into
the waiting hanson, crying, Waterloo;
quickv'
The cab whirled away, leaving Marsten
standing bareheaded on the curb. He re-
manned there for some minutes gazing in
the direction the cab had taken, then turn
ed with sigh and walked slowly up the
passage to his room. 1t seemed more bare
and empty than ever it had been before
and ne could hardly realize that a few
short moments since she had stood within
it. He heard. without needing, the noise
from the hall, like the low growl of some
wild beast. He looked al the papers on the
table, wrinkling his brow trying to under
stand what they we're all about. 1t appear
ed ages since he sat there writing-now he
heard nothing but the words Answer me!
ringing in his ears. He was startled by
another knock at the door, and sprang to-
ward it. throwing it eagerly open, hoping
she had returned. Monkton & Hopes tall.
gr!ZZled commssionare, In his uniform.
with the medal dangling from his breast,
stood there. perhaps astonished at the sud
den opening of the door. but not muscle
o. his face showing his surprise. He sa-
luted gravely.
"A letter from the firm, SIR
"Ah! Step inside. Any answer required?
Il don't know, sir" answered the COM
mssionare. standing as straight and as
rigid if on parade.
Marsten tore open the envelope. and the
reading of the letter brought him to his
senses. 1t was terse communication, and
informed him that Monkton Hope agreed
to the terms of the men. Mr.. SartWell
would wait at his office until 10 o'clock to
meet Mr.. Marsten and arrange for the
opening Of the works in the morning.
Marsten dashed off an official reply, and
said he would wait on Mr.. Sartwell in half
an hours time. Giving this note to the
,y,,i- Sinr air Wh
withdrew. Marsten, with the letter In his
hand, opened the door that communicated
with the platform and stepped out In the
sight of the meeting. a howl of deriSion
greeted his appearance and the nowl OF
| an angry mob is sound that, once heard.
| a man never wishes to hear again.
There he is" shouted Gibbons. whose
speech Marstens entrance had evidently
Interrupted. There he Is. and let MIN
| deny it If he can"
| .'Deny what?" cried Marsten.
| Deny that you have been in communica-
| ton with the enemy! Deny that Sartwelrs
| daughter has only this moment left your!
| That has nothing to do with you. nor
| with this strike. England is free coun-
try; a man may talk with whom ne
! pieases."
"He can't deny it," shouted Gibbons at
| the ton Of his voice There were too many
| witnesses this time. She didn't know thai
| a meeting was gathering Where now
| the man at the back of the hall who crieC
!
| it by Marsten himself.
| Let me read you this letter. cried Mar
stem. waving in his hand the letter IRON
| the firm, to command attention. He saw
| The crowd was in that dangerous state O.
| excitement which requires but an inJudi
| c.ous word to precipitate riot His oWi
| friends. evidently abashed by his admission
| were at the back of the hall. silent and dis
| concerted.
| The Gibbons gang were massed in front
| wildly gesticulating, and vociferous Wltf
| taunts and threats. They were loudly call
| ing upon him to get down from the plat
! form He saw too, that the old committee
| and others Of Gibbons partisans were OF
| the platform behind him, many standing
| situation reminded him Of the time wher
| Braunt had been kicked off the platform
| and thrust aside
Let me read this letter." he repeated.
| presently presently" said Gibbons
| "You will have your opportunity later on
| have the floor just now
Il am secretary of the union" persisted
Marsten. 'and 1 demand a hearing. Afte
| that you may do as you please.
Here the chairman rose and called loud
"Order. order Mr.. Gibbons has the floor
may add for Mr.. Marsten's information
| since he chose to absent himself from tn
meeting. knowing it was in session. tina
Mr. Gibbons has been made secretary o
the union by practically unanimous vote
and l ask Mr.. Marsten to leave the plat
form until he Is called upon to speak"
| Il have a letter from the firm snoute
| Marsten, trying to lift his voice above tn
| uproar.
There was a chorus of howls and roars o
| CHAIR chair" Come down" One Of tn
men behind Marsten pushed him towar
the edge of the platform crying obey tn
chair" This was the signal for a genera
onset and Marsten, graphing with tn
foremost of mis- assalants. both went dow
| together to the main floor. Instantly tn
| meeting broke into an unmanageable moi
while Gibbons roared, mo violence men,
and Intellectually waved his arms over tn
turbulent, see.hing. struggling mass. Hi
! appeals were as futile Calute's com
mands to the sea. The chairman pounde
unheard on the table with his mallet. Ono
Marsten shook himself free and rose to nj
feet. His right hand, with the tattere
| letter still cienched in it, appeared abov
the heads of the combatants for a moment
then it suddenly disappeared. and he wen
down finally under the feet of the madden
ed tramp!ing horde.
| The police struck in promptly and wit
J effect. The side door was thrown oper
and Marsten was dragged out through il
accompanied by several struggling. tor
} and bleeding rioters who had been nabbe
| by the law. Gradually the pounding o
the table became audible, and Gibbon!
J voice. now hoarse with useless calling fo
| peace could be heard
L