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

Sim ate and spoke together. He an
nounced his approaching marriage with the
sat smoking his pipe in a corner of the
kitchen by the fire, heard his friends news
and witnessed his joy.
-. AT lastr' said Mr.; Hockaday. Well.
you can't wonder at that. 1t had to be;
an she was worth waiting for. So there'n
be more changes, and you'll leave Middle
cott no doubt? Whens the nuptials?"
Il don't know. That's for her to say.
Soon, 1 hope. I can't believe it Hocka-
cups full"
Dan Sweetlands pipe went out and he
rose, knocked the ashes from 1t and re-
tired to his ROOM 1t was In the servants
quarters and he always took good care to
| ever seen the inside of the chamber since
Dan became occupant. Had they done So
1t must have much surprised them to see
| little photograph Of Minnie Sweetland upon
the mantlepiece.
To this secluded den obj now depart
| ed. and his thoughts were a strange mix
| ture of grave and gay. He was to see his
| wife in the morning, for that day had gone
| the letter from Henry Vivian. But Minnie
! could not yet have read the great news,
| since it seemed that within the hour she
| had engaged herself to Titus Sim. The
fact. struck with petrifying force upon
DaniePs mind. 1t woke wide uneasness
and great sorrow for the awful dsap-
pointnrent that must await his friend
M1nnies own attitude puzzled him deeply.
Could it be true that she had accepted
Sim! Could it be possible that his return
TO HE would not please her? This thought
came and went like flash of lightning
II lett In his mind shame and wonder that
1t could have come. Even at that moment
he felt joy. She knew now; the letter must
have reached her from Warren Inn" after
| Sim had gone. She would be waiting for
| him in the dawn light; she would open her
arms for him before another sun had risen.
| Only hours remained between their meet
ing; but Dan felt that those hours must be
occupied with Titus Sim. To hide his
secret from Titus was no longer possible.
Often and often he had blamed himself
for doing so. Sims love for Minnie was
general knowledge; it had frequently been
the theme of conversation among men and
ma1dens at Middlecott Court. Not seldom
he had risen and taken himself beyond
earshot. One thing he remembered: that
unkind word of him, or an improper one
concerning his wife. Now, upon this night
Sims joy hurt and stabbed the man with
the black face To see Titus thus glad at
| the possibility of bliss impossible was a
tragic spectacle for Sweetland. He thought
long, then resolved with himself that, de-
spite the terrific shock of it, he would
greater cruelty. He had, indeed desired
| from the day of his landing to let Titus
into the great secret; but Henry Vivian
l ACluSSu " allow MIN TO 90 30.
1t was past midnight when Daniel, acting
| upon this new impulse, dressed himself
and went TO the room near his own in
| which Titus slept. A light was burning,
and Mr.. Sim, who had not retired, turned
from the writing of a letter to see the
black man standing in the door,
''Hullo Obi! Whatever do you want?"
he asked then made the sign of question
But Daniel answered and Sim fell back
speeches. upon his bed to hear the long
silent tones.
What nightmares this? You can speak
speak in that voice? What are you then ?''
.'One as be your friend always-always-
one as can't live this lie no more-not for
you, Titus 1t have hurt me to the soul
doing 1t; 1t have tormented me day by day
to see your honest face and hear your
honest speech. But you must forgive me
for coming to life, old pal. Twas time an
more than time l did SO. seemingly. After
tonight l couldn't hide myself behind this
black face and this blank silence no more
not from you, Say you forgive me, Titus
Twas life or death, remember"
Your life is my DEATH answered the
other slowly. DO you understand that?'
Sim had turned deadly white. and per-
SEPARATION made his face shine like ivory
Don't say such things. You're a Free
honest man. as no living soul can say one
word against" replied Daniel. your rec
ord be clear. an you can stand up in the
race OF the nation, and no man can cast a
word at you. Don't talk of death. IT'S
true I've got her-Minnie my own wife, but
that's all have got in the world My eve
lamb; an God only knows If 1 shall ever be
! able to call her mine afore the people. Don't
grudge me my sole, blessed joy. Think
what be. Titus-an outcast. a wanderer,
man that have had to black his face an
shut his mouth to escape the gallows. Don't
but why should / say these things to
Titus Sim? Right well 1 know the steel
he's forged of. Right well know he never
changes. You'm my side STILL Titus? Say
you'm my side still. Say you've forgived
me. Twas my neck 1 was playing for-I
never thought to break haa RI h1y
trick. An you must forgive Minnie, too.
Twas only yesterday morn that Mr..
Henry's letter went to her. He wouldn't
let me see her before; and he wrote to break
it to her that l was alive an not far off
OF course, not knowing that, she said yes
to you. Tomorrow-today l should say-at
first gimmer of light; heve given me leave
to go up-along an hear what sheve got
| to tell me- Shake my hand-I bant black
except my face: Ny hearts white an well
you know it, Titus
He offered his hand and the other took
1t mechanically
You've knocked me all of a heap" he
| said. Let me hear your tale. Twill give
my heart time to still an beat level again.
You at my elbow! And she-this very
night-promised to marry me. It's more
than mans brain can hold"
"Afore she knowed that 1 was back
in life again.
Sim desired to think. The crash of this
news confused him and unsettled his deep
mind.
Iel your tale from the beginning. Dan
iel," he said. Let me hear it all; then
I'll tell you mine, and give you some idea of
what I've been doing while you away"
You haven't cleared up the job in Mid
dlecott Lower Hundred?"
Speak your speech" repeated Sim.
What I've got to say I'll say afterwards"
CTo be concluded tomorrow
How Some People "Camp Out" in
Maine.