The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-25
THE INN ON THE BEACH.
Continued from Sixth Page.)

both coming. Yeti know not what has
happened that l should be so sad
Il know what is going to happen.
cried Katey. You are going to have a
tumbler of mulled port and go straight
to bed. See, it's late and Maggie went to
bed long ago."
Shortly afterward Dolly kissed the girl
good night on her pillow, and went to her
own room.
With soundless lips the snowf1aEes
kissed the earth. and kissed the sea, dy-
ing on the kiss. 1t was cold on the
beach None of the villagers were
abroad that bitter Christmas eve, but
from some of the cottages came voices
of merriment, and in the little lonely
church at the far end service was being
performed, the midnight service. The
tiny organ piped its best and the fisher
folk sang and prayed of forgiveness Of
sin, and peace and good will on earth
to all men.
To all men? Could there ever be for
giveness for such as these, creeping over
the snow in the shadows of trees and
fences? Could there be such a thing as
peace and good will in the hearts of
men like these, cursing the cold cursing
They crept softly on with the velvet
feet of wild cats. 1t was almost mid
night now and they were close to the inn.
A light yet shone from a window in the
top of a house
"Confound it," muttered Holloway,
who is awake so late? / can't wait
much longer or I'll be frozen to death.
Let's try it right away"
The other shrugged his shoulders, and
soon they were beneath the windows,
creeping about, feeling their way.
80, rot" said Holloway again; wed
better smash in at once. You said there
were only three women. wonder what
they are, anyhow. You're dead sure
there's money"
"The fisherman who talke muche say
plenty"
Didn't hear their names, did you?"
''No media names"
True enough. If we can only raise
enough here Wen be far on our way
west by morning. It's a chance, but
there's nothing else to do. Come on
this is a pantry window. / guess"
"Sh-sh! What's that?"
There came from villageward a crunch
ing of hasty stumbling feet on the road.
"a drunken fisherman said Hollo-
way.
Waltz
eve waited long enough Do you want
to freeze to death? Come on"
For an instant there was silence. Then
a window glass fell in fragments on the
snow. Holloway passed into the inn.
The approaching feet sounded more loud
ly and nearby One voice hailed another.
Watt" called the Cuban. Come
back"
Come back be blowed!" a fierce voice
snarled from within. Il tell you it's Il
drunk fisher"
He interrupted his own words by CIV
ing a horrible yell, as on the instant.
a pistol cracked inside the house. The
Cuban fed. A moment later old Ted
Guest and David Copeland Numbered at
the door-Ted with cut and bleeding
head and raging eyes. The door was
opened. and the captain ran straight into
Dolly Holloway, who carried pistol.
Are you hurt?" he cried.
mo, no." she answered. trembling but
firm. Il could not sleep, and heard a
noise at the pantry window. l have to
protect Katey and Maggie. you know.
and sleep with pistol ] think-Im
afraid / hurt the burglar"
Guest rushed on and found him pros
trate the man who had so strangely been
thrown by fate at his wife's door, at the
inn on the beach. Dolly followed. but
Guest met her before she saw and led her
back
Don't look, please he said.
do you know who it is?''
yes" said Guest softly.
"Why do you look so? o, have 1 killed
him? Is he dead?"
Eyes, dear, he is dead!"
Doll was sobbing now and shaking.
ut was for Katey's sake" she cried,
Historically. 81 had to protect her. Poor
man. o, the poor man! But, Ted, it was
my duty-say it was my duty!"
Eyes, dear, yes" said the skipper, ten
derby. 1T was your duty"
The wedding, that was to have been so
merry between Jack Beaumont and
Katey Holloway, had to be postpoNsd,
for the landlady of the inn was very
sick after her adventure with the bur-
glars When she was better she insisted
upon the youngsters being married at
once, when the skipper, who had been
merely stunned and a little cut by the
pistol blow, gave away his old sweet
hearts daughter. When the lovers got
back from their honeymoon they found
an amazing thing had happened. DolU
Holloway's hair was almost white, and
she was married to Ted Guest What
had passed between them neither had
said, but we may draw our own conclu-
sions No word has passed the lips of
either to say how the skipper ever told
Mrs. Holloway whom it was that she shot
on that Christmas eve when burglars
broke into the inn on the beach