Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-11


1t all depends onion other parties what I
do. I've told the old man that he must walt
for my answer till next midsummer day.,
He's always praising you an wishing
how my Daniel had been more like you.
No, no! / wasn't patch on Daniel.
too
Minnie thought of her button.
You'd want a wife, then. A game
keepers life is a hard one. I suppose II
you do that you'll take the north cottage
and Thomas will get warning?"
"Yes-I should have his place; he's not
much good. But as to wife-well. II you
ask me. think a keepers better without
one. Men will talk to their wives, an
| women will talk again to other women.
They can't help it. A man whose business
sudden death had better bide single.
So 1t depends-as 1 told you just now-'pon
| other parties. Come next midsummer l
shall ask certain party certain cues
no gamekeeping for me. and If the answer
is novel; I'd rather not think of that.
There. come times in his life when a strong
man can't take mo- for answer
Minnie sat on her pony with one hand in
her pocket. She fingered the horn button
and spoke.
You want somebody to look after you.
girls eyes be sharp where she takes an
interest. wonder your master have never
called you to account forF that black button
on your gaiter. IT'S very untidy. If you
was an outdoor man you'd never dare to
go about like that"
"Quite right" he admitted. ITO think
your sharp eyes have seen-but what don't
they see-even to a button? 1t do make me
feel proud man. all the same. that you
can have bestowed the least thought from
your beautiful mind on such thing
II catched sight of it some time ago. If
you remind me one day I'll sew a yellow
one on for e. I've got one. Twill match
t'others an look more pretty than that
black one"
I'm afeard it won't match the others,
my dear. for they notched around the
edge and be peculiar. But your button will
be more to me than all the rest. and if It's
yellow in color twill pass very we'll: and
thank you kindly for the thought.
Next time you come up, then?'
THAT will be Sunday night, if l may.
She nodded.
ood-night and bless you for your kind
words said Mr.. Sim very fervently.
"Good-night,' she answered, and went
her way.
No definite course of action had prompted
her to this strange offer. Her only wish
was to get closer view of the gater and
compare the button she had found with
thousand plans passed through her mind,
but not pleased her, and she began
doubtfully to speculate upon the necessity
of seeking hep in this enterprise. The
danger grew. Let Sim once suspect and
she could not guess the result. If he had
himself destroyed the keeper and in cold
blood plotted the subsequent destruction Of
Daniel Sweetland, then he would stick at
nothing. Minnie very clearly perceived the
necessity for caution. She also saw the
direction in which Sims thoughts were
turning That he would ask her to marry
/ him when midsummer came was certain.
She only hoped that long before summer
returned the truth might have dawned
upon her darkness and her husband be by
her side again.
Daniel was in her thoughts and her young
hoo ~ pn6 fnr CHI nad RI
her lonely dwelling. Then, as If to answer
the longing, great news greeted her and the
day closed in splendor brighter than any
sunset light
Mr. Beer was waiting for the pony when
Minnie arrived at the Warren Inn," and
she marked, despite the gioamng, that his
mouth was full of news.
wonders never cease, but be on the in
crease" he began. AN we'll you know
that when break out into poetry I've gen
| orally got something on my mind. Well. so
1 have. Onlight from your horse an I'll
give e present What could be better
than postmans letter? An from foreign
parts, if you'll believe me, though I didn't
know, my dear, as you'd got friends in the
distance" s-.-.. -s-. o.. -
"Dani" she said. "'Tis Dan, my heart
says it." Pr
Now, don't think that. my poor maiden.
I wish 1t was. But there bant no letter
writing in the grave. A man neither sends
nor receives 'em in the pit. An it's not the
worst thing as you can say for death that
1t puts you beyond reach Of the penny post
mot to name kilograms. You must make
up your mind that Daniel be in the better
land with saints an angels grand. This
here is from the West Indies where the
rum comes from; an If the place be as
comforting as the drink, then 1 make no
doubt people do very well there. For rum
punch is a glorious brew to make the heart
and liver new. But, if you ak me, this let
ter is from Mr.. Henry, who be in them
parts. He was a close friend of Dams; an
his was the gun that done the dreadful deed
when death to Adam Thorpe did speed
Lord! how full be of rhyme tonight! So
very like, he's written in his gentlemanly
| way to comfort you"
| Minnie's bosom painted and she put her
| hand upon 1t to hide the swift rise and fall
Right we'll she knew that Mr.. Beer was
wrong. and though the superscription OF
| the letter spread in scrawling hand was
! quite unlike Daniels, yet her heart saw