Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-05-10

I presence. ne future WAS inelTS, TIE
moment sufiioed; why trouble for the
morrow?
1t was early that evening when
Evarceline retired 10 her room; she
had intended reading one of Faurs
books. but the beauty OF the night
the bed 10 watch the sky studded with
its myriads of mysteries. How long
she slept she could not tell. hut sud-
denly she sat bolt upright with the con-
viction that something strange was
/ occurring. Was she dreaming? She
rubbed her eyes: nc there was her god
mother in the garden. box in one
hand. small SPADE in the other. What
! was she doing at that hour of the
/ night? Why this secrecy: She shud-
! dered as sh. leaned out of the window
and watched the tall. silent form reel
! ing toward the most deserted portion
of the garden. Should she follow?
Her honor forbade. Breathless, she
awaited her codmethers' return. but
some time elapsed before she came
tottering toward the house. She was
muttoring 10 herself. but the girl
could not hear her words.
The next morning Margaret Harway
was found dead in her chair. Heart
failure the doctor pronounced the
cause ef her dca,h, and heart failure
il was. Very gently EvanSeline took
from the clenohed fingers some cid let
tiers. ana tying them together laid
them reverentlv away.
After the death of her gcdmother.
Eyanscline yielded to Paul's desire TO
an immediate marriage: alone. with
ont money or friends. il seemed her
only possible course. She turned in
stincii,ely &c Paul, and he did rot fail
her.
To clear the ground around the
house was Paul's duty as we'll rs his
pleasure. At first j; seemed a hope
les task. but by degrees the flower beds
took form and outline. until the only
remaining tanglc was the far corner
under the apple tree.
AS they drew near the spot. one af-
ternoon. intending to. work there.
Elanceline shudGercd and drew back.
1T was here she came on that dread
full night" she whispered 10 her hus-
band. Il coud see her busy among
the bushes. Oh, Paul. what was she
DOING"
Paul drew her toward him.
My darling. you must forget. Just
as the weeds and mould have been
cleared from the old place. so the
shadows must pass from my darling.
Come. be brave. this is our last task"
lie struck his spade into the earth.
and threw up the rich black mould.
Suddenly he stopped.
There is something here he said.
running his hand through the loose
earth Who knows but what il is a
fortune? II is a box he said more
seriously, drawing il forth with some
difficulty.
Evangel;re was clinging 10 a tree
for support.
oh, Paul. 90 not teach il! Put it
back-put il back, | know il must he
something dreadful, something we do
not want TO know. If you love me,
Paul. bury il quickly"
There was so much anguished en-
treaty in her voice that he cid as she
pado him.
I'VE will leave it, he said reluc-
family. but we owe it 10 ourselves and
TO her 10 solve this mystery. Come,
we Will look through The cid papers
and letters you have laid away" And
so. with his arm around her. they
went into the house and up the stairs.
At first il seemed as though the mys-
terry would not be solved. at any rate
by the letters: but finally Evangeline
leaid before Paul the letter she had
taken from the dead woman's hand.
then. looking over her husbands
shoulder. she read with him
Margaret: There is just retri-
button for every sin mortal man COM
tration. No future could bring more
anguish than that which ] endure.
Margaret. / who woulc have given my
life FIR you. have given my soul, am
desp:sed of you.
In a mad hour forged my employ
er's signature. We were so poor. Mar
garet, so desperately poor. To see
you toiling day after day was torture
/ could not stand. and temptation over
came me and fell-may just Power
condone my sin. When tine realization
came. when | fully understood the dis
grace and loss of self respect-then,
my darling my wife. knew but of one
way 10 save you: first. TO make what
reparat!on lay in my power. then to
leave you. my baby. and my country.
Thus my crime would remain hidden.
knowing yoar upright soul. your
purity and honor. vii! never ask you
to live with nc again. but will think
of you and orr child in the little home
bought with honest money. No one
knows YOU there: resume Your maiden
name. for mine would soil you. and if
you have one faint spark Of love for
your erring husband. keep the knowl-
edge Of tic crime watch has separated
US from oar child. our tiny Evanseline.
TO return 10 America would mean
arrest. public Gishonor and imprison-
mcni | have but one thought-death
i live that may die, for 10 die
means to he near you.
Some Day there viii come to the lit
tic brown house a box. Bury it under
the old apple tree. Margaret. re-
turn 10 You what has always been
f,1s IL,