Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-24

great enterprise awaited him, and upon it
he now prepared to embark.
Minnie sat alone beside her lamp, and
the man approached her with his face full
of news. Something in the way that he
touched her hand told her of what was
coming.
.'Rix Parkinson is dead!" she cried.
HE is, Minnie; but how did you know
that?
She marked his use of her Christian name.
1t savored of a sort Of insolent right, and
words. Then she replied to his question.
Il knew it the moment that you came In,
Mr.. Sim. Your face told me. He has not
left us long to wait, poor fellow: hope
he saw Mr. Thornton before he died?
"Mr. Thornton was with him at the end.
He went easily"
I'VE must wait until the earth closes over
him-then my Dan"
There is one thing first"
He put his hand into his pocket and felt
for the letter.
Il had forgotten. Beer gave me this for
you. But first listen to me. You can read
when l have gone"
Speak" she said, and put the letter on
the mantel shelf.
I've said it once before, but you had no
ears then, for your eyes were full or that
terrible news from the West Indies. BY
some sad trick Providence willed that l
should actually be asking you to marry
me at the moment when you saw the fact
of your husbands death staring at you In
VI course i SAID no more tUeI bul
now it's different. Now you know that poor
Dan is at rest and is happy. Now you
know he was innocent Of that awful charge.
Your soul is at peace, too. You and
sight of the world. That is as good as
done Only days remain. And afterwards,
Minnie? l have right to ask that ques-
ton now. Have / not earned my reward!
God knows I've waited patiently enough.
I've been loyal to you and to him. I've
proved my friendship; and If I'd had to put
down my life to clear Dams name, I'd have
done it. What follows? You know what
mean. I've waited long enough. I've been
patient"
You want me to marry you?
You must; you SHALL I'm only flesh and
blood-not stone. I've waited at cost to
torments. My passion for you has short
ened my days. To hide those burning fires
was task crueler than woman has right
to ask from man. You're a human crea-
my love of your dead husband, you must
love me. Say you'll marry me-say 1t quick.
Let my sleep be sweet this night; let care
and fear and dread share my pillow no
more"
who was it planned this evil against
Daniel Sweetland? We know who killed
poor Adam Thorpe, but who took my hus-
bands life, Find that out. Titus Sim.
IF man can, l will; but leave that for
the present I'm as set on it as you. It's
the task first to my hand after we are
man and wife --s-..-...-.
Man and wife We never shall be. I'd
sooner far, and prOuder far. be my Daniels
widow than wife of any man. No call to
stare Stare into your own heart. not into
my face. I'll never marry anybody Let
that content you. You've done your WORK.
now go your way"
my fingers itch! D'you know what lies be-
tween love and hate? A razor-edge. Don't
scorn me so quiet and cold. Don't turn
away from the worship and alteration OF
man whose very life be built upon your
nod. 1 can't stand that 'Tis fatal. My
days are nought tonne without you. They
are narrowed to word; you. you, you!
liking for myself. I've got heaps Of money
"a small fortune. Hundreds OF pounds.
all for you. Never another stroke of
work. Your own servant you shall have,
me show you what love for woman is
what love for woman can do. Be
content to share life with me. Don't
drive me mad by saying no again. Don't
poison, and that poison will mean death"
II must face all that you can threaten"
she said I've spoken. I'll marry no man.
'Tis enough to live alone with the blessing
of my Dams good name"
THAT rests with met he answered.
Don't fool yourself to think everythings
going as you please. If you will make me
show my teeth, tits your fault, not mine.
sweated for you. and only you. I've done
deeper things than ever a man did for
love of you. Gray's come into my hair
for love of, you. And now? No, by
Gold, the times ripe for payment. There's
only two living souls on earth know that
Daniel Sweetland's innocent of murder,
and them two must be man and wife, or
that mans memory shall stink of blood for
evermore! That's love! You stare but
I've spoken. You refuse me, but in so do