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

/ presence. Inc future was tnelfS, TIE
moment sufficed: why trouble for the
morrow?
II was early that evening when
Evarceline retired 10 her room; she
had intended reading one of Faurs
books. bat the beauty of the night
stayed her. and she threw herself on
the bed 10 watch the sky studded with
its myEiads of mysteries. How long
she slept she could not tell. but sud-
denly she SAT bolt upright with the con-
Niction that something strange was
occurring. Was she dreaming? She
4 rubbed her eyes; no there was her god
mother in the garden. a box in one
hand. small spade in the other. What
was she doing at that hour of the
night? Why this secrecy: She shud-
I dered as she leaned out of the window
and watched the tall. silent form reel
ing toward the most deserted portion
I of the garden. Should she follow?
| Her honor forbade. Breathlsss, she
awaited her godmethcrs' return. but
some time elapsed before she came
totter;ng 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 of her death, anG heart failure
it was. Very gently Evangeline took
from the clenched fingers some cid let
tiers. ana tying them together laid
them reveTentlv away.
After the death of her scdmother.
Eyanecline yielded TO Pauls desire TO
an immediate marriage: alone. with
ont money or friends. il seemed her
only possible course. She turned in
stinc;i,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. Al first il seemed a hope
les task. but by degrees the flower beds
took form and outline. until the only
remaining tanglo was the far corner
under the apple tree.
AS thev drew near the spot. one af-
ternoGn. intending to. work there.
Elaneeline shudGered and drew back.
1t was here she came on that dread
full night she whispered 10 her hus-
band. Il could 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
fortune? II is box he said more
seriously. drawing il forth with some
difficulty.
Evangeline was clingine 10 tree
for support.
oh. Paul. 90 not touch il. Put it
back-put il back, know it must be
something dreadful. something We do
not want 10 know. If You love me,
Paul. bury il quickly"
There was so much ansuished en-
treaty in her voice that he cid as she
Uadc him.
I'VE will leave it he said reluc-
family. but we owe it 10 ourselves and
TO her to 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 a just retri-
button for every sin mortal man COM
mits. or this fact | am an apt illus
tration. No future could bring more
anguish than that which endure.
Margaret. / who woulG have given my
life for ycu. have given my soul, ] am
desp!sed of you.
In a mac 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 a just Power
condone my sin. When the 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
reparation lay in my power. then to
leave you. my baby. and my country.
Thus my crime would remain hidden.
knowing your upright soul. your
purity and honor. ! will never ask you
TO live with me again. but will think
of YOU and our 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 the crime which has separated
us from orr child. our tiny Evangeline.
ITO return 10 America would mean
arrest. public Gishonor and imprison-
mcrt. | have but one thought-death
i live that | may die, for TO die
means to he near you.
Some day there vii come TO the lit
tic brown house a box. Bury it under
the old ample tree. Margaret. re-
turn 10 You what has always been
vnr,rs--te heart that once throhhnd