Evening star., 1897-03-27

his coffee and not even the presence of his
daughter opposite him could break him of
the vice; although he had the grace to
apologize, which he sometimes forgot to DO
wnen his wife was pouring the coffee
| Il just want to see If tie paper mas any
| thing to say about the ending OF the s,rike'
| my dear
| what the paper said A moment later she
was startled by an exclamation on from MN.
Good heavensv' he cried. Il had no idea
| of this There seems TO have been riot
| at the meeting-fve men arrested and Two
| in the hospitaEMarsten-by JoVe-trampied
| under foot-never regained CONSCIOUSNESS
| life in grave danger. say, Edha' TINS IS
| serious.
| There was no reply, and Sartwell, looking
up, saw Edna standing with pallid cheeks
and lips parted, swaying slightly from side
| to side.
| He ,prang up and supported her with his
| arm.
| ia the matter? What is this to your?
| Her head sank against his breast ana
she said, in quavering whisper broken ny
| a sob:
| TT is everything to me, father; every
He patted her affectionatcly on the
| shoulder.
| afraid once that was the case. but
thought you had forgotten. There don't
| cry; it is sure to be all right Ine papers
| generally exaggerate these thiags come,
| let us have breakfast. and We Will both go
| to the hospital together.
| Edna's desire for breakfast was gone.
| but she made a pretense or eating. ana
| then hurried to get ready and accompany
| her father 1t was SO early that they mad
| first-class compartment to themselves.
| the travel cityward not having begun Tor
| the day.
| Edna was silent and nothing had been
said from the house to the station. When
| they were in the train her father spoke
| with some hesitation
a
time when l found you together In the gar
| den?"
Yes father; twice"
Il don't want you to answer. my dear.
| unless you care to do so. Where did you
meet him?"
Il viii tell you everything; willing
to tell you any time-if you had asked me.
1 didn't speak of him to you because-l
didn't like to-"
"Of course, grille 1 understand You
needn't speak now, If you would rather
not"
II should IKE you to know. The first
time was at Eastbourne, shortly after
went there. He managed 10 get unseen
into the school garden. and he told me tnat
| he said he hoped-wc would be married
some day. 1 told him it was impossible. l
thought So-then.
That was two years ago?"
| Yes"
The ghost of a smile novered about the
firm lips of Sartwell. but :he corners of
Edna's mouth drcoped pa.hetically, and
| she seemed on the verge of tears She kept
| her eyes on the floor of The carriage.
There was not much Of an angry
fathers precautions, was there, EdnaT'
| Il did not know, until he spoke. that you
objected to my meeting him. If you had
| told me l would 10. have spoken to him at
| Eastbourne."
! 'Of course, you wouldn't, my dear Don't
| think l am blaming you in the least. l was
| merely thinking that l am not nearly as
far-seeing l thought And the second
| time, Edna?"
THAT was last night. 1 drove to the
Salvation Hall and asked him to stop the
| strike. l told him
Edna began to cry afresh. Her father.
who had been sitting opposite her, crossed
to her side and put his arm about her.
Don't say another word, my dear, and
don't think about it. I'll not ask you an
other question. You mustn't make people
think you have been crying. They will i'm
, agine l have been scoding you. and thus
you will destroy my well-won reputation
for being the mldest man in London"
The girl smiled through her tears. and
| nothing more was said until they reached
; ; the hospital door.
. How is Marsten, who was brought here
last night" inquired Sartwell of the doctor
who received him.
"Oh getting on very well. under the cir
cumstances"
."The papers say his condition is danger
ous."
II don't anticipate any danger. unless
there are internal injuries that we know
nothing of. Some Of his ribs are broken
and he got a nasty blow on the back Of his
| head. He seems rather weak and dispirited
this morning. but his mind is clear. l was
somewhat anxious about that, for he was 9
. long time unconscious"
There" said Sartwell to his daughter
1 who stood with parted lips, listening In
tently to what the doctor said. Il ;ol6 vol
the papers made the case out worse than i
. | was. Might We see Mr.. Marsten?
YES but l wouldn't make him talk very
Z much, IL I were you.
I I'VE shall be very careful IL ink, yol
. know, 1t will cheer him up to see us. bu
I you might ask him if he would rather W.
came another time. My name is Sartwell.'
!, Word was brought back that Marster
!, would be glad to see them They fount
I him in an alcove. curtained of. like othel
: alcoves. from the rest of the ward. Ht
face was not disfigured. but was very pale
:. He cast one rapid glance at the girl
n shrinking back behind her father. then KEEP
9 his gaze fixed on his old employer.
e well. my boy" said Sartwell. cheeriiy
e | I'm sorry to see you on your back. bu
g I'm glad to learn from the doctor that yol
will be all right in q few days"
3 'tHave the men-have they--gone bach? r
q Marsten asked. In q faint whisper.