The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-28
CHAPTER x

Evidence.
Dickie wandered out into the night He
went to the side of Beacon Hill, and, sit
ting there in the quiet, looked down on the
town lights below. This was that night
most momentous In the history OF Boston and
. Of America. Miles away, out OF Cambridge,
@ detachment of men was marching. 1t was
not uniformed, there was, slight military
order: the arms Of the men we're various-in
many cases old. Yet their deed OF the NOR
row was to shake the world, Dickie sat-
pondering his own recent experience, nor
dreamed that the marching regiments were
to change his future.
He had just begun truly to compare and
to weigh-Sotheran against Frank, the gov
srnor against the simple wings who mad
trusted him, and further of yet soon to be
considered, the king against the people? Hon
honor-how much had Sotheran?
promise was promise-how many mad the
royal governors broken And right was right
where did 1t lie, with the king OF with the
eoonsts? Where should he turns Like a
cooling hand on his brow came tho memory
of a face. and he rose with relief. He would
70 to Alice.
He found her In her little parlor, alone
with Harley. The modest major had come
for the last time had come-to his
mistress. A shadow was on his brow, as
upon Dickies perhaps he saw the fate that
waited him. He had become bold, had
asked Alice to sing, and in the sound OF her
beloved voice the burden on ibis breast
aeemed lighter.
Into the quiet scene came Dickie with his
troubles. Within him manhood was wrestling
with youth. He did not see the major, and
walked directly to Alice
Alice" he asked, without greeting,
(which is right, the king or the colonists?'
Then he saw Harley, but did not flush.
"You, too, sir; answer il you can
But Alice said, 81 cannot tell you. Dickte,' y
and ,Harley, with the shadow coming down
again upon him, asked
Have you, too, doubt?'
II too?" exclaimed Dickie. "Do you doubt
as well? Can Englishmen doubt without my
cause for it?' - '
There are many Englishmen who doubt" "
said Harley quietly.
Good night" cried Dickie, and abruptly
went away. Here was new knowledge to
draw him to Franks side. But his uncle?
How was he to learn the truth of him?
He went slowly toward his home. Knots
OF soldiers passed him in the ill-lighted
Streets or quiet people, wishing to escape
insults slipped along from shadow to shadow.
A group met him under lamp; at the sight
of him two of them-a man and a woman
Quickened their pace and passed. The, third
stopped. ...-. e.. .. 70. .
Il have been looking for you. Dickie. "
It was Franks voice.
Dickie looked up. He was not ready, not
quite ready to give himself to Frank. anS
resisting all the impulses that drew him to
his brother. feared to speak with him.
I'm thinking" he said hastily. To
morrow, Frank"
"Good-by, then" said Frank, and took his
hand.
"Good-night," answered Dickie, and went
on.
The man and women had halted to wait
for Frank. He did not understand" said
the woman with sympathy. as Frank Joined
them.
mo, Mrs. Knox" he said. "He did not
understand. They went onward together.
Dickie went home. 1t was late; the house
was dark, and wishing not to rouse his uncle,
II asleep, he opened and shut the door quiet
ly. He went slowly up the stair, deep In
thought. II he could but learn the truth
from his uncle-in some way surprise it out
OF him! He saw a light in Franks room,
and q moving shadow. Who could that be-:
Not Frank. Dickie went to the open door.
There was his surprised!
Mr.. Elery knelt at the fireplace A can
ale stood on the floor; tho man was looking
among the ashes and drawing out torn scraps
Of paper. His shadow loomed behind. gigan-
tic on the walls and ceiling, and in the light
his sharp face was eager and delighted. He
stopped to piece his find together, hastily
xrinned and looked for more.
And Dickie, standing at the threshold. saw
him and saw more. That was his uncle, sc
foully searching there. There died an ideal
blackened and dsgraced; and there fell
Dickies beliefs. Pierced to his heart
Dickie groaned aloud
Mr.. Ellery screamed and sprang up. "Wht
AZ that?'