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

cover the. secret of Thorpe's death. Some
| times he grew elated at the shadow of
| clue; then, again, he became cast down as
| the hope of explanation vanished and the
| problem evaded him.
Three nights after Minnie's first great
| search Mr.. Sim called upon her OF late
I he had seen her not seldom, because the
| family at Middlecott was away and the
| servants consequently enjoyed unusual lei
| sure.
Titus found Mrs Beer with her neigh
Der, for the innkeeper's wife often spent
| an evening hour with the lonely girl, and
| Mr. Beer also would occasionally run over
| If business was quiet. But his motives
were selfish, for Minnie proved a good lis
/ tener and though she did not praise the
| fat mans poetry, she was alawys prepared
| to give it respectful hearing.
! The footman knocked and entered, ac-
| cording to his custom; then he sat by the
| fire and stretched his gathered legs to the
blaze.
"a rough night" he said 81 had a regu-
| lar fight with the wind coming over the
| heath; but you'm snug enough seemingly.
| L do welcome these days when our people
| are away, for they give me chance to be
! in the air. Sometimes I'm sore tempted to
| throw up this life and get out-of-door work
| again.
You wasn't meant for flunky, I'm
sure" declared Mrs. Beer II never can
think tbs a very dignified calling for a
| grown man; though of course, the quality
must have EN-"
/ You was almost so fond of the woods
and the wild things my Daniel was" de-
| clared Minnie.
\ True for you" he answered. True for
| you. Mrs. Sweetland."
| 1T dare say you get a breath of the
woods now an again while the folks are
| away?
| IAN / can. These stirring times make
! me long to be a gamekeeper-just like when
| the country goes to war we men all want to
be soldiers I'm afraid poor old Sweetland
| gets beyond his work. There's been more
| trouble in the preserves since Sir Reginald
| went to Scotland.
This information apparently remained
( the mistress of Hangmans Hut that she
had offered Titus no hospitality.
I'm draw some cider for e. It's all
I've got. Dan promised never to drink
nought else after we was married. An II
| you want for to smoke, please do it. Mrs.
| Beer an me both like the SMELL.
| The footman pulled out pouch of to-
bacco and a pipe from his pocket; and as
he did so he groaned-
| Whats the matter?" inquired Mrs. Beer.
r That's the noise my old man makes in his
sleep when the rheumatics be at him."
| MY side. / had cruel dig In the ribs
two days agone. Slipped ana fell the
cellar stairs with scuttle o. Goals l
| thought I'd broke every bone In my body.
And pang shoots through an through my
side yet when / move my right arm But
| tbs better than twas.
Minnie expressed active regret and
brought Mr.. Sim cushion for his back. His
| bright eyes looked round the little COM
Portable room hungrilv- He already pic
tured the time when he might fill dead
| mans shoes. for he was among the many
who believed that Daniel Sweetland had In
4 reality persisted and would be heard. OF nc
more. Minnie had not undeceived him.
Now the mistress of Hangmans Hut
poured her visitor out his drink, then sat
and watched the tobacco smoke curl from
his lips. Presently she spoke.
! do you ever that wooden pipe what
my Dan gived e? Twas cut very cunning
in the shape of a foxs mask wi III black
beads for eyes. l should like to think as
you smoke II sometimes an remember him
as gived it to YOU"
IAN so do. 'Tis my best pipe-for great
occasions only. There's nought belongs to
me l treasure more. had it betwixt my
teeth only this morning"
The woman looked at him and nodded