Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-25

When Titus Sim told me that poor Rix
Parkinson was going to die and wanted to
see me before he went, was ready to visit
him at once. Mr.. Sim said that he believed
that Rix Parkinson could prove my hus-
band innocent. It was understood, also,
that there must be q witness of what was
said And Mr.. Sim wasN to be that witness
| I have never trusted him. SO 1 thought that
1t would be well IL there was another wit
ness. told Mrs. Prowse about 1t. and
she agreed with me that It might be safer.
had already spoken to Sam Prowse here.
He was always a friend to my Daniel. and
trusted him. As he lived next door to
MT Parkinson. 1t was easy to have him
there. His mother took Samuel into the
sick mans room while Mr.. Parkinson slept
He was hidden in a hanging cupboard and
heard every word that passed. Afterward'
when we had gone. and the sufferer was
asleep again. his mother let him out. None
knew about 1t excepting Mrs. Prowse and
Samuel ana me. Samuel wrote down from
memory everything that Rix Parkinson
what I am going to tell you. 1 have not
seen Sam Prowse since that day. and l do
not know what he wrote"
/ Minnie then told the story of all that the
dead man had confessed, and young
Prowse confirmed 1t. His mother also ex-
planned how she had concealed him in the
room of the dying man. Minnie went on to
tell OF Sims offer of marriage and his
threat when she refused him. Daniel next
told his story, related that he had revealed
himself to Sim, and that Sim inflamed by
passion. had returned truth for truth and
laid bare his own plot to destroy his old
friend and marry the widow. OF this state
ment. however, there was no witness; but.
viewed in the light of Sims subsequent
actions. 1t appeared in the highest degree
credible. That Sim was the dead poscher's
accomplish also seemed certain. Minnie
mentioned the broken pipe found by her
after the poachin3 raid at Flint Sten
quarry. and the horn button, which she
had picked up In Middlecett Lower Hun
bred. She had kept~both articles. and, af-
ter sewing on another button for him, was
positive that the button found at Middle
of its unusual pattern and nosched edge.
To the button Sir Reginald attached no i'm
portance. since Sim Rad been early upon
the scene of the murder in the wood; but
the pipe was serious evidence.
Titus Sim himself proved not well
enough to be Intercepted at this stage of
affairs; but week later he left the hos
pital under arrest and, on the same day,
Sweetland also departed. The footman
confessed to nothing. but his wifes testl-
Inony proved sufficient to free Daniel and
prove him innocent very genuine tri-
umph, therefore. awaited the young man.
Even Mr.. Corder from Plymouth wrote
and congratulated him, and in the streets
the small boys crowded behind him and
shouted .hurrah.'
His father now wearied the world with
Dams praises; his mother spent half her
time on her knees thanking Cod, and the
other half running after her son. But.
CHdnkS 10 henry N-NidH Oh hSSiiiiu,
something more solid than popularity
awaited Daniel. The knight, who counted
little of first Importance but the life and
prosperity Of his son and heir. amazed
even Daniels mother by his attitude to-
ward young Sweetland.
He sent for the hero of the moment, and
curious scene took place between them.
the drift of which was hidden from Daniel
until some weeks afterward. Upon this oc-
casion Sweetland, off whose face Jesse
Hagan's dye had scarcely as yet departed,
found the master of Middlecott and the
village schoolmaster awaiting him. On
the study table were pens, ink and paper.
statements of accounts and various more or
less complicated memoranda.
Now DAN" said Sir Reginald I'm
man of few words. and hate to waste
them Therefore the meaning of this bust
ness can very well be left to take care of
itself. To explain 1t now might be to do
an unnecessary thing; so I'll explain al
forwards, If explanations are called for.
This is Mr.. Bright. the master of the
Board School You know him already.
and he tells me you were sharp pupil
and good at figures. though abominably
lazy 1 hope he's right for your own
sake. so far as the mathematics are con-
cerned. During the next two hours or
more Mr.. Bright is going to put you
you are good for. Do your best. Upon
receiving his report you shall hear from
me. When the examination Is ended. some
supper will be served for you both.
Sir hcSlndlQ TetlTcO, anu lOI IiiCC houio
Dan and his old schoolmaster wrestled
with figures. After midnight the young
man went home to Minnie with his head
spinning.
and Sweetland received letter from Mid
dlecott which much surprised him. 1t was
an autograph communication from Sir
Reginald himself.
my gratitude. young man." he wrote.
lis already familiar to you: Under
heaven you were instrumental in saving
my sons life. and that alone insures for
you my active regard and interest while
I myself live The only question in my
mind. since your acquittal, has been to
find out how best l may advance your
welfare; and at the instance of my son,
whose brain Is quicker than my own. L
agreed to offer you very onerous and
responsible appointment - on one condi-
ton. The work requires clear head and
some knowledge of figures: Experience
might also have been reasonably demanded.
but this waived. You have already shown
qualities of mental readiness, nerve and
ability, which. had they been exercised
pursuits might have excited admiration
instead of suspicion. But your unruly
past is forgotten and forgiven before the
knowledge that you saved Henry Vivian's
life Therefore, since Mr.. Bright reports
that your attachments. though not splen-
did, are quite respectable and that your
remarkable facilities for learning will
soon make you master OF the art OF book
mined to offer you the post of assistant
overseer at my sugar estate in the Island
of TOBACCO Consult with your wife
whether she will entertain this proposal.
The climate is healthy, but exceedingly
hot. My son will return to the West In
dies for short time in the autumn; you
will follow If you agree to do so; and the
nature of your duties will then be made
clear to you. The necessary practical ex-
perience can only be acquired on the spot.
but I trust you to learn quickly. and /
believe that the measure of your knowl-
edge will swiftly increase to the measure
of your gratitude when you receive this
offer. But you must not be too much
obliged. I am under an obligation to you
of the mightiest description. and not the
least of an old mans diminishing ambi-
lions Is to see you and your courageous
and undetermined wife happily embarked
upon worthy and a prosperous career"
"Minnie!' bawled Daniel 'listen to this
here! OF course It's settled. To think of
you seeing the world! Exceedingly hot ne
says But lay twon't be half 80 hot as
twas last time I was there!''
"If you'd let me read your letter, dear
heart, I should know a thought clearer
what you was talking about, and how to
advise" answered Mrs. Sweetland.
There came merry night at the White
Hart" and the bar hummed with CONVEX
sation and laughter. Not few friends