Evening star., 1899-06-10
CHAPTER YXXVI.

Frederick's arrest had been conducted so
quickly that no hint of the matter reached
the village before the next morning Then
the whole town broke into uproar, and
business was not only suspended, but the
streets and docks overfowed with gesticu-
Iating men and excited women, CARRYING
on in every corner and across innumera BILE
doorsteps the endless debate which such
an action on the part of the police neces-
sarily opened.
But The most agitated face though the
stl4est tongue, was not to be seen in town
that morning, but in d little cottage on
an ard hill slope overlooking the sea-
Here Sweetwater sat and communed with
ms great monitor. the ocean, and only
from his flashing eye and the firm set of
his lips could the mother of Sweetwater
see that the crisis of her sons life was
rapidly approaching, and that on the out
come of this long brOoding rested not only
his own self-satisfaction. but the interests
OF the man most dear to them.
suddenly, from that far horizon upon
which SWeetwaters eye rested with a look
that was almost a demand came an answer
that flushed him with a hope as great as
it was unexpected. Bounding to his feet
he confronted his mother with eager eyes
and outstretched hand.
Give me money, all the money we have
in the house. l have an idea that may be
worth all L can ever make or can ever hope
to have If it succeeds we save Frederick
Sutherland: If it fails have only to meet
another of Knapps scornful looks. But it
won't fail; the inspiration came from the
sea, and the sea, you know, is my second
mother!"
What this inspira ton was he did not
say. but it carried him presently into town
and landed him in the telegraph office.
The scene later in the day, when Freder-
lex entered the village under the guardian
ship of the police, was indescribable Mr.
Sutherland had insisted upon accompany
ing him. and when that well-loved figure
and white head were recognized. the
throng, which had rapidly collected in the
thoroughfare leading to the depot, sue
cumbed to the feelings occasioned by this
devotion, and fell into a wondering silence
Frederick had never looked better There
is something in the extremity of fate which
| brings out a mans best characteristics and
this man. having much that was good in
| him, showed it at that moment as never be-
fore in his short but Over-eVentful life. As
the carriage stopped before the court house
on its way 10 the train, a glimpse was given
of his handsome head tt those who had
followed him closest and as there became
visible for the first time in his face so al
tered under his troubles, likeness to their
beautiful and commanding Agatha, mur-
nur broke out around him that was half
wall and half a groan and which affected
him SO that he turned from his father,
whose hand he was secretly holding, and
taking the whole scene in with one flash of
his eye was about to speak. when a sudden
telegraph office. and man seen rush
ing down the street holding paper high
over his head. 1t was Sweetwater.
"News? he cried. News! A cablegram
from the Azores! A Swedish sailor
But here d man with more authority than
the amateur detective pushed his way to
the carriage and took off his hat to Mr.
Sutherland
Il beg your pardon said he but the
prisoner will not leave town today I'm
portant evidence has just reached u.s."
Mr.. Sutherland saw that it was in Fred
erick's favor. and tainted on his sons neck.
AS the people beheld his head fall forward
and observed the look with which Freder-
| ick received him in his arms they broke
into great shout.
"News. they shrieked. News! Freder-
ick Sutherland is innocent! See. The old
man has tainted from jOy!" And caps went
up and tears fell before a mothers son Of
them knew what grounds they had for
their enthusiasm.
Later, they found they We're good and
substantial ones Sweetwater had remem-
bered the group of sailors who had passed
| by the corner of Agatha's house. just as
Batsy fell forward on the window sill and
| cabling to the captain of the vessel at the
, first port at which they We're likely to put
| In, was fortunate enough to receive in reply
communication from one of the men who
| remembered the words she shouted They
| We're In Swedish and none of his mates had
understood them, but he recalled them we'll
| They We're:
sig Hon har en- knit Help! Hjelp!
| In English:
Help! help! my mistress kills herself.
| She has a knife-help! help!'
The impossible had occurred Batsy was
not dead, or at least her testimony still re-
manned and had come at Sweetwater's beck
from the other side of the sea to save her
| mistress son.
=
| Sweetwater was a made man. And Fred
| erick? In week he was the idol of the
1 LAT /,
! face and happy smile show what he was
| then. Sweet Agnes, who first despised then
| encouraged, then loved him, and who. next
to Agatha, commanded the open worship of
| his heart. o-
| Agatha is first. must be first, as any one
| can who beholds him on a certain en'
| niversary of each year bury his face in the
| long grass which covers the saddest and
| most passionate heart which ever visIdaJ
to the pressure of life's deepest tragedy.
| (Ths end.)
| Wild Debauchery.
From Puck.