The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-12

mite aim or Intention, but unconsciously
his steps turned toward the coast, and
presently he found himself once more as
cending the steep little path he had trav-
ersed that morning.
AS he neared the summit he perceived
that there was mans figure before him,
STOPPING perilously over the dangerous
edge, evidently gathering some plant
from the cliff below.
1t was foolhardy thing to do, and evil
IDENTIFY bespoke strong brain.
A little nearer, and he stopped short
abruptly. The stopping figure vas Ev-
erett.
All his love and hate surged up within
him., Everett, the man who had stolen
his love from him-the man who had
made his life blank and barren waste.
A thousand devils seemed let loose with
in him. How very near that STOPPING
figure was to death-so near that one
touch-just one little motion Of the foot
and he would lose his balance and go
speeding, speeding down those smiling
cliffs and be hurled to pieces on those
cruel rocks beneath
His breath came quickly
Suppose it had happened accidentally?
Even as he thought he knew he was a
coward. Even then he was thinking of
his own skin. Suppose a sudden sound
made the man start? Almost unccn-
sciously he opened his lips, and a haI sh
''HalIor broke from him.
EVeretts nerves were steel. He turned
his sunny face and smiled over his Shout
der
"Hallo, old man. he responded Camic-
ably.
Fraser came and stood dumbly beside
him, holding his hands tightly together
behind him to hide their shaking He
had forgotten Everett was a sailor
He watched him furtively leaning down
fI1TfL md
possible he could retain his balance; and
the waves below reached up hungry white
arms to catch him, and fell back again
with murmuring thunder of anger at
their failure.
A little further. Fraser caught his
breath.
You'll be over in a minute!" he said
gruff1y.
Everett laughed easily.
mot 1p' he said confidently. But,
say, old chap you might just hang on to
my legs for a minute will you? I want
to reach that great bit just there, and
it's just beyond me-
The waving pink bloom nodded impu-
IDENTIFY up at them just out of reach.
Fraser stood motionless moistening his
dry lips.
Everett looked around
D'you mind. old MANI" he said.
And mechanically the other stretched
out his hand and obeyed
NoW-now! one movement of his fingers
just the opening of his hand
He fought the thought back, gasping
for breath.
Everett leaned still farther. Fe half
glanced back.
They're for Dolly. you know" he
said, ito wear this evening"
The fingers opened as if by some sud
denly pressed spring. There was a sud
den cry and then-then something went
rolling, rolling, striking and bounding
sickeningly down that steep side.
For an instant the white face was up
! turned
''All right,oId chap know-accident!''
| ttoated up brokenly and then there was
last hideous thud. and the waves
c!utched greedily at their unrecogn'zable
| prey and drew 1t under And the swoop-
| ing seagulis shrieked wildly and circled
upward
Fraser stood as if turned to stone,
gazing with distended eyeballs at the
gurgling> eddies where that-that thing
had disappeared
Murderer! Murderer. Murderer! TIE
waves dashed it at him, the seagulIs
shrieked it, the whole living and mani
| mate world flung the awful word at
him.
He stood paralyzed. Had he done it
he? What had he done? He he'd mis-
hands vaguely and piteously out before
him, asking them mutely. Murderer!
Murderer. Murderer! Yes, it was true
true! His hands told him-his hands
that he had opened. God! They were
blood-red-stained with blood! The
grass was red-the sky-the very sea
was bloodl
He flung up his hands with an awful
cry and sprang blindly over that fatal
edge.
81 say. old fellow, do wake up and
stop having the horrors! You don't
know how beastly awful you look!"
Fraser opened his eyes slowly and
stared in blank terror at the handsome
tanned face looking down at him. He
wondered vaguely whether ne was
dreaming now or had just awoke from
a red nightmare. The voice went on:
Il only just looked in to say ta-ta
I've had telegram calling me back to
Ireland Immediately Old Chris Muir
dock has relented and consented to our
being publicly engaged. And all through
Dolly too-bless her little heart! Shes
Meg's dearest friend, you know. an
she's been moving heaven and ear: h 10
soften the old chaps heart" He waved
an airy good-by "Ta-taT' he said mer-
rly.
Fraser gazed speechlessly at him, the
tears still standing thick on his white
face.
Everett turned back half-laughfng
Il wish you wouldn't look at me as
though l were a ghostr' he protested.
$50 IOnoI