Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1902-12-03
M A RY The The S iaA'.5 OF
A Story of English
Life.
BY JOSEPH HATTON
of ]
Life.
BY JOSEPH HATTON


and his friend, she babe them good
night said she was tired, and what
ever more She might have to say she
would say in the morning,
The storm was over A few of the
last clouds Of the night were rushing
away to the north. A bright diamond
like star shone in sweet companion
ship with the moon.
Jack Meadows stationed himself be-
meath the balcony, but he could not
prevent his shadow from falling
athwart the footpath, where Tom
Sheffield sawlit, and watched it as in
duty bound. Presently he saw anoth-
err shadow upon the white path, and
heard Mary speak to her companion.
Tom lay prone upon the balcony above
them.
Jack you love me?"
God knows it, and to my sorrow"
81 had betrothed myself to another;
never can be his now. Let that bring
me back to your confidence
Mary. when | came into the inn to-
night, it was to see you for the last
time, am leaving Kirkstall."
Leaving Kirkstall, Where is your
mother, then?y
Il have given her the farm and the
money; my Uncle Luke will see to the
business and her brother is an honest
man. She can take no harm"
and why art thou going?' she
asked, some of her old native tender
ness of speech coming back to her.
Because | cannot live in the land
where another Is to wed thee
my poor JACK! Then do not go on
that account. III never wed another;
never wed at all. But in memory of
our dear old days of friendship, do this
thing l ask of thee Tonight foul
deed has been done. and have lived
to bear home with me the evidence
that one | love, better than all the
world is concerned in it. Hush, Jack
for the love you bear me- listen and
fulfill your promise that whatever |
could ask you tqldo for me you would
do It,"
81 am listening Mary, and ! will not
break my ,word.T
You know thelyoung no-the young
gentleman, Mr. Parlser-nay. do not
shrink from me .ljAaairi1IR warn him,
save him. Talk hInf! ali IS known, he
must put the seas between him and
England-between him and me. Tell
him twas / who found the hat with
its blue ribbon in the band, and took it
home, and they recognized it at the
moment l did Go nov; follow the
men who are gone to the abbey; hear
what they say at the Hark-to- Rover;
use your own keen wits, and hunt
down Richard Parker; but only for
his good-to warn him, to save him.
III to thy mother and comfort her,
and tell her that thou hast bethought
thyself of thy decision and that there
is no need thou shouldst CO.
God bless, thee, my poor betrayed
love. I'll see thee no more until he is
safe beyond the sea Good-byl"
He kissed her upon the cheek and
was gone.
well, I'm dommed!" exclaimed
Tom Sheffield under his breath, as he
slipped from his hiding place and
sought his curious old-fashioned bunk
somewhere beneath the great stair
cas-. well, I'm dommedl ] often
card parson say as devil can put on a
pleasin shape for his own ends, and
dunno as ivyer reightly understood
1t afore toneet Theirs that sandy
mugged villin Foster, as cum wi Cen
tleman Dick, biggest fool 4 Kirkstall
could see as he wor no better nor a
waster, a want-rope, cut-throat
scour-o'-th-neet; but as for t'other'n,
why, weren't seemingly a better chap
goin'. 'Andsome is as andsome does
that's rect; but 'andsome and dom
everything 'andsome to boot, that was
Gentleman Parker, 'earty, pleasant
spoken gent as you'd wish to see, and
just the sort. if I'd been woman
which thanks Providence ain't-as
I'd ha' gone for straight; just as oul
poor lovely Mary have ben and done
And then all being said, 10 and be-
hold If it don't turn out that he's the
very Old Nick hissen, and hav' beer
and done murderl Which fulfills
what is written, as parson says thai
the devil he can put it on for his pur-
pose, whether 1t be fine handsome
young gentleman, fisherman, or {
roarin' lion; but there's one thing
Tom, you can bet on, as no Judge an(
jury, If so be it should go as far, II
ever a-goin' to get out O. you wha
you'n card this night"
With which earnest comment ant
reflection, with which touch Of fore
sight, and warning bond Of secrecy
Tom turned in, and slept the sleep 0
the fearless and Just.
CHAPTER XII.