Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-20
CHAPTER xxxvII.
prometheus Bound.

THE.
UVYYYW

Promethous Bound.
In the great, gray structure, massive as
fortress, where Eureka confined her GRIM
inals. Clement Vaughan was drinking deep
Of the bitterest OF all bitter cups, the
anguish he had caused his friends He felt
at first that he could not endure 1t could
not bear their pain, but, hearing outside
the door of his cell the sobbing of poor Min
nile Dover. he said to the guard, Let her
come in
Minnie rushed into the room and flung
herself on her knees, seizing his hand
and pressing 1t to her. Will followed, wink
ing hard to keep back the tears.
'I'n never believe It," sobbed Minnie.
And II you did do it, you did perfectly
| right" She was like frantic child.
He laid his free hand upon her head. She
quieted under his touch. oh, Mr..
Vaughan" she murmured, looking up at
him with streaming eyes You won't let
them-youn run away Promise me that
you will. Oh, can't bear itl''
VIII drew near and tried to exercise what
feeble authority he possessed. Come.
come, Min he pleaded You mustn't
Mini
Clement lifted her to her feet and gently
put her into Wills arms. Take her home, "
he said. "And-comfort her.
They met the Henleys at the door.
This was harder yet. In their blanched
faces Clement read the sleepless nights,
the lack of food. the constant strain, how
their hearts had bled. For their sakes he
made a mighty effort at self-control You
see--the work was too big for me, Mary,
he said, taking her hand.
Both men thought she was going to fall.
But she recovered herself. 1t was not
too big for you, Clement" she said hero-
caIly. ITO face what you have faced. as
you have faced it. is greater than any work
you ever did. 1t is your work. 1t will pre-
serve your words, unforgotten." There was
the ring of prophecy in her voice. the gaze
of the seer was in her eyes.
Clement responded to them as he had
always responded. His spirit answered the
challenge of hers.
God bless you Nary" he said fer
vently.
Frank glanced from one to the other in
amazement. He had feared. dreaded, this
interview, and here they were, these two,
one to be hanged on the morrow, the
other. an adopted sister. a companion for
years-both calmer than Frank himselfi
Clement turned to him. There are some
things l want to attend to- he said. Let
Mary go through my books and select what
she would like to have. Send the rest
here An old friend of mine there will
prize them This is his address" He
wrote a name on a card and handed ii to
Frank. You will like to have my desk
and chair" he pursued. And there is a
box of music which l wish to go to Mrs.
Katharine Chisholm. on Richmond HILL"
Mary colored family. She had heard
some of the talk
That is ALL" said Clement. st am a
poor man, as you know"
He gave hand to each. They stood
together the three.
For the last time each was saying
silently, for the last time" and the hours
they had spent together. the joys they had
shared, the troubles they divided, came
back upon them in a food
Mary was the first to break away. She
put her arms around Clements neck and
drew him down to her, kissed him on brow
and lips and eyes, the sign of the cross. Il
shall be with YOU" she whispered, AL the
way"
She went out quickly Frank fingered
behind. The boys haven't given up" he
said In low voice. They II be here some
time tonight" Before Clement could reply
he was gone.
Judge Weaver came then. and Lou Pugh.
Jerry Flynn and Mike with Mary, weep
ing loudly. Shed Wellman came as far as
the door, but retreated, "bIubberin' like a
great calf he told Sarah when she re-
preached him for not seeing the prisoner
Barker did not appear. and no one had
seen Jack since the trial But DR. Addison
was there and Kicker, the Cornish preach
e.. Nearly every one suggested some way
OF escape.
Long after they had gone the air seemed
full of their offers of help, their cries of
sympathy.
Poor mourning Spirits OF the Air and of
the Wave
tried in vain to shut out the sound of their
voices. Another Prometheus, he lay there
chained to the rock of his punishment
preyed on by the yulture of his remarse