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

Both men were powerful. but both were
| spent. Sweetiand had lost much blood from
1 his elbow. and he found himself growing
| weak. Titus had Jared better. though he,
| too, blew hard after half-nile run.
| He had conrefo kill Minnie SweetiAnd;
now he exulted and worked to tire out
the other. The knife had fallen out OF
| his hand. but as Minnie rushed to reach
| It from him. Sim put his foot upon It.
80 much the better! he cried. going
down easily as Daniel threw him. do
death. But. deaths self shan't cheat me
OF you. Your deaths my
He spoke no more. for Sweet!ard was
now quite aware that only moments sep
arated him frem falling; He was growing
weak fast and his head swan. He knew
that he must strike, and strike with every
atom of strength that remained to him.
or he would drop Unconscious and leave his
wife to her fate. Fer moment he re-
Taxed his hold and. as he did 50. Sim s
arm shot out and he grasoed the knife
Then strange thing happened. for ire
watching woman, who had disregarded
Daniels order to fly and escape. flung her
self between the men; and It seemed that
1t was not to shield her husband, but the
wouId-be murderer that she came Daniel
had only loosed his grip to regain his iron
bar. This he did, and, in using 1t. he was
quicker than Sim. Even as the footman re-
gained him knife the other now on his
knees. raised the heavy and shining metal
rod over his shoulder and. with both hands
q
down upon Sims head. Then. between
that certain death and the mans skull
Minnie lifted her sight arm and proke the
blow. Like carrot the bone cracked,
but force enough still remained In Daniels
stroke to stretch out his enemy sense'ess.
Gods life! Why for did YOU do that?'
cried Dan. "Oh-your little arm-Minnie-
Minn,e!'
Ills only broke" she said. ''Thet is
nought I saw you were going to Kill him.
'Twould have wasted all my work for e,
husbnd. an sroilt all the time to come.
You be free afore the world an innocent
afore the world. I can grove it. Dan. l
can grove it!
Fer answer his head rolled back and he
fell forward from his knees to the ground.
She stood above the two unconscious men.
herself tottering and powerless to help
either.
Then it was that Beer. in the lightest
Of attire, and followed by his WIFE rushed
upon the scene. Mrs. Sweetland bade him
first tend her husband. and Johnny soon
propped Dams head and tied up the bleed
ing arm above the elbow. After that Dan
recovered consciousness and called TO his
wife.
Give me something to drink-spirts. I
shall be all right in an hour. You was
right. Min. 'Twould have been a poor
homecoming to kill this devil But your
arm-that awful sound"
you CO." said Johnny to his wife. Get
a bottle of brandy and nip back as quick
time. an tell him to saddle the pony an
ride like hell for Doctor Budd. This chaps
dead. I'm thinking"
He spoke Of Sim, who had not recovered
consciousness.
What May games be these. Dan Sweet
land?" asked Mr Beer Dan. however, had
no leisure for Johnny. He lay quite still
and fought to keep consciousness.
us can't wait for Sim he said;
"Mnnie's more than this here man. After
I've took in tumbler of spirits, I'll stand
up again and get to the car. Then I'll
drive her straight to the cottage hospital
Twas that iii broken arm there that saved
him."
"a masterpiece you be. sure enough.
Black. an blue, an bloody; an yet the real
old Dan Sweetland, an no other! Let me
see your elbow again. Yes, 1t have done
bleeding now"
Don't trouble about me-" said Dan.
Listen to his chest an see If you hear
his heart beating. Bant no odds If I've
killed him: for II 1 hadn't done it, he'd
have killed me an my wife. too. A near
shave. by God! He had her by the hair an
a thicky, pig-sticking knife between his
teeth
However coined you to let him in after
last night. my dear?' asked Johnny.
II was on the watch" she answered. IT
seed man with black face running
think. but rushed to the door an Hinged 1t
open for him. He was on me like tiger,
an thought twas all over when my hus-
band leapt at him. = - - ~ -
"A brave days doings," said Mr.. Beer.
Matter for a book of,verses II you only
get well again, Daniel"
AS he spoke he put his ear to the breast
Of Titus Sim. and the others waited in
silence
There's something going on pro-
nounced the publican. 1.-THE works be
moving-no doubt tits the organ of his
heart. But 1t don't sound too merry. by
M ,6nr 60
there's hope; and where there's death
there's hope In another world. Though
twill take the Almighty all His time to get
this chap saved. Cut of with murder In
his hearth
Mrs. Beer returned. She had run all the
way and could not speak for some time.
Daniel drank the spirits like sailor; then
Minnie was made to take little, but not
down the throat Of Sim. This, however,
proved impossible.
I'D take him with us in the car" said
sweetland. But twill be all can do to
get to 1t myself. The doctor may look
after him. Now. II you give me an arm,
Johnny, I'll make shift to walk to the
road"
Mrs. Beer stopped by the senseless foot
to the motor Minnie followed them. She
was suffering great agony. but made no
sound Once, midway between the cot
rest and drank more brandy; then he
reached the motor and mounted 1t. Minnie
climbed by his side, and the car was turn
ed slowly round Dan now felt better,
and refused Johnny Beers offer to ac-
company him.
II be right now" he answered. "You go
back to that white devil in my house an
save his filthy life. II you cam
Half way to Moreton Daniel passed the
doctor Fastening on horseback to Hang
mans Hut. The medical man stopped
moment. directed Minnie how to place her
arm that her pain might Ie lessened, and
then rode forward again.
The husband and wife hardly spoke upon
the journey into Moretonhampstead, and
1t was Minnie's turn to succumb as the
gray. snug shelter Of the cottage hospital
came before her eyes. A minute later she
was carried out OF the car, and within an
hour her broken arm had been set and
she found herself In comfortable bed
with kind hands busy for her.
In the afternoon Of that day Daniel, who
had slept for six hours and taken plenty
Of good nourishment, CAME to spend lit
tie while with his wife. He found her
ught-headed and only stopped Ave minutes
He felt the greatest alarm, but those in
attendance on the case assured him there
was no need to do so.
Next morning Minnie was better, and
Daniels visit went far to restore the even
tenor OF her mind and customary, patient
self-control
''They brought Sim here last night" he
aaid "Mr. Vivian went nm 1irnaclf rA