Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-27
CHAPTER XXXIII.

MeahWhlie Sweetwater had been witness
to series of pantomme actions that inter-
ested him more than AmabeTs conduct.
under this final examination. Frederick.
who had evidently some request to make or
direction to give, had sent a written line 20
the coroner, who reading IT had passed
II over to Knapp. who a few minutes later
was TO be seen In conference with Agnes
Halliday. As a result the latter rose and
left the room, followed by the detective,
She was gone half hour; then, slmultare-
Dusty with her temperance. SWeetwater
saw Knapp hand a bundle of letters to the
coroner, who, upon opening them chose out
several which he proceeded to read to the
Jury. They We're the letters referred to by
Frederick as having been given to him by
ms mother. The first was dated thirty-five
years previously and was in the handwrit-
ing OF Agatha herself. 1t was directed TO
James label and was read amid a profound
hush.
Dear James: I know I have a temper. a
! wicked temper, and now you know IT. too.
W hen 1t is aroused | forget love gratitude
| ana everything else that should restrain
me, ana utter words | am astonished at
myself. But | do not get aroused often,
ana when all is over / am not averse to
a2oIoelzlng or even to begging forgiveness.
MY father says my temper will undo me,
put am much more afraid of my heart
IMAM am or my temper. For instance
mere l am writing to you again lust be-
cause l raised my riding whip and said
but you know what L said and I am not
rond OF recalling that moment, for | can
not DO SO without seeing your look Of sur
PRISE and contrasting it with that of Phle-
mons. Yours had judgment in it, while
Philemon's held only Indulgence, yet | liked
yours best, or should have liked it best,
were 1t not for the insufferable pride which
is a part of my being. Temper such as
mine ought to surprise you. Yet would
be Agatha Gilchrist without 1t? 1 very much
lear not, and not being Agatha Gilchrist
should have your love? Again | fear not.
James, forgive me. When | am happier.
when l know my own heart, l will have
less provocation Then, if that heart turns
your way you Will find great and bounti-
ful serenity where now there are lowering
skies and thunderous tempests Philemon
said last night that he would be content to
nave my fierce word o mornings If only
l would give him one drop out of the honey
OF my better nature when the sun went
down and twilight brought reflection and
love But did not like him any better for
saying TINS. You would not halve the day
so The cup must hold no bitter that would
give you true refreshment. VIII it not then
have to be proffered by other hands than
those of AGATHAp
Mr.. Philemon Webb:
Respected Sir-You are persistent T am
willing to tell you, though l shall never
contide so much to another, that it will take
stronger nature than yours, and one tina t
loves me less, TO hold me faithfully, and
L
must be if l would not be a demon | can
not, dare not marry where l am not held
IN passionate, self-forgetful subsection I
am TOO proud too sensitive, too little mis-
tress of myself when angry or aroused If
IKE some strong women l loved what was
weaker than myself, and could be controlled
by goodness and unlimited kindness, 1
might venture to risk living at the side of
the most indulgent and upright man I
Know. But am not of that kind. Strength
only can command my admiration or sub
due my pride. l must fear where 1 love,
and own him for husband who has first
shown himself my master SO do not fret
any more for me, for you, least of all the
men know. will never claim my obedience
or command my love. Not that 1 will not
yield my heart to you, but that / cannot;
and knowing that cannot, feel 1t honest to
say SO before any mora of your fine man
hood is wasted. Go your way, then, Phile-
mon, and leave me to the rougher paths NV
feet were made to tread. 1 like you now.
and feel som thing like a tender regard for
your goodness, but II you persist in a
courtship which only my father Is inclined
to smile upon, you will call up an antagon-
ism that can lead to nothing but evil for
the serpent that lies coiled in my breast has