Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-03
CHAPTER II.
Haupmau's Hut.

Minnie Marshall was quiet, brown
girl, with manner very reserved. Her
parents were dead; her years. since the
age Of sixteen, had been spent in service.
Now marriage approached for her and, at
twenty. she contemplated without fear or
mistrust a husband and a home. OF i'm
mediate relations the girl possessed none
save an old aunt at Moreton who kept
little shop there. Minnie was beauty
and we'll experienced in the matter OF
suitors, but Daniel Sweetland's romance
ran smooth and she left him not long in
doubt. That young Titus Sim had been
a better match. most folks declared; and
even Daniel. from the strong position OF
success, often asked Minnie why she hao
put him before his friend
Now, as the lad drove his sweetheart to
inspect a cottage near his work on Dart
moor, they overlook Mr. Sim returning to
lump up. Titus, an I'll give e a lift
to the lodge" said Daniel.
The footman took off his hat very po-
litely to Minnie, then he CLIMBED INTO inc
the party drove forward. ..,,
Dan was full of the interview with
Henry Vivian, and the two young d men n pom
Hes off to foreign parts In rev
weeks, but he hopes to be at my wea o.
ding said Dan Med be sot very to go prety
soon to look after Sir Reginald's business.
by all accounts"
There's been a lot of talk about the
sugar estates in the West Indies. ex-
planned Sim. 81 overhear these things at
table Mr. Henry's going out to look INTO
affairs. There's an overseer-the son OF
Sir ReginaldS old overseer. But master
doubts whether his figures can be trusted
and whether things are as bad as he says
they are. So Henry Vivian is going to run
out without any warning. He'll soon nave
the business shipshape and find out any
crooked dealings-such clever man as he
is"
awful strict, sure enough, said Dan,
with a ciruckle He'd heard L was DIT
of freetrader in matters of sporting, an
he was short an sharp, l promise you.
However. tits only the point of view, an
all owing to me being a radical In polltics.
He knows that I'd not do a dirty Trick
else he wouldn't have bought me new
gun for wedding present III snow MN
some sport on Dartymoor come presently.
Sim changed the subject.
81 hope, you'll like your home up-along'
Miss Marshall he said.
Her lips frightened a little; she turned
round and her fearless eyes met the speak
er's.
THANK you, Mr. Sim; and 1 hope SO,
too"
Her voice was cold and Indifferent.
AN no man will be welcomer there than
Won Titus" said Sweetland. You an me
will have many a good bit of sporting up
along, l hope
You'll have something better to do than
that Dan" said Minnie. Sporting be very
we'll for a bachelor but work an wages
must be the first thought come mans got
wife"
mo need to tell me that. I'll work for e
as hard as a horse; an well you know 1t.
A lodge rose beside them and Daniel
pulled up at the main entrance to Middle
colt Noble gates of iron assembled here.
Ancient leaden statues ornamented the TOUR
posts of this entrance, and one of them a
bod bullet wound under her lett
breast Others among these figures were
also peppered with small shot-the folly OF
byeone sportsmen of the Vivian Clan.
From the gates a wide avenue of Spanish
chestuuts extended and half mile away,
rising above the heads of stately conl1ers
stood Middlecott Court Behind IT, ridge
on ridge billowed the frnges of the moor.
The gate lodge was Daniel SWeetiand
home, and the sound of wheels brought his
mother from the door. Mrs. Sweetland
smiled as she saw Minnie and came out
and kissed her ,,,
$50 you'm going up for to see the Ill
house, my pretty? I do hope you'll like it.
'Tis small, but weather-proof, an all very
nice an watersweet.
II shall like 1t very well, mother, II Dan
likes it" answered the girl
.Us will be back by o'clock or earlier
an Minnie will stay an eat bit with us,
remarked Daniel.
Then he drove on and lott MS mother
looking after them. Mr.. Sim had already
started upon his way to the hall.
'.Poor old Titus" said Dan. as he walked
by the trap presently to ease the horse
at "a, stu Ill hill hill; Mi he%ever DID you come
"Who can tell?'
II wish, all the same you thought kinder
of him. "You'm awful cold to the man. :"
He makes me cold. For my part, wish
YOU didn't like him SO well as you do.
Dan grew rather red.
mo man, nor woman neither, VIII ever
stapd between me an Titus Sim,'' he said.
You might think twas jealousy" she
answered quietly. for you are sun, an air.
an life to me, Daniel TITS my love quick
ems my heart. But I'm not Jealous Only
I can't pretend to care for him. I've got
nought against him save womanly. name
less dread. An why it's in my heart I
don't know for 1 bant one to misiike folks
without a cause.
Then best to get 1t out of your heart"
he said roughly. "You'm not used to talk
nonsense. The mans one in thousand
kind. honest, gentle, an as good shot
as there Is in the county. Straight as q
line, too. Straighter' than / be myself. for
that matter. He've behaved very well
over this. for well I know what 1t cost
| him to lose YOU"
IT wish I felt to respect him like you
do. IT'S wicked not to, yet, be asking
myself questions all the time Hem so
| rich, they say How can he be rich, Dan
| lei? Where do the money come from?'
From the same place as my own ia