Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-04


fired the shot which brought them
from the distant woods; both
knew that to prove it would be
impossible.
AN l dare say there'll be nice pheas-
ant for supper tomorrow night at Hang
mans hutch, DAM" asked one.
ooh no. there won't, Jack Bates. l like
nv game hung a bit. same as the quality
do. If you'll come to supper this day week.
III see what I can do for e..
The keepers laughed again, and Sweet
land went his way.
At home vet another surprise awaited
him. His fathers cottage famed with
lights Instead of silence and sleep brood
ing here, with the glimmering leaden
statues standing like sentinels above as
he had often seen them on returning from
nocturnal enterprises, Dan found his fath-
ers cottage awake and full of stir ana
hustle The door was open and from the
kitchen came Matthews voice
When Dan entered Mr.. Sweetland was
sitting in an old cared chair by the fire In
his night shirt. a red night cap covered
his head and his person was largely ex-
posed where Mrs. Sweetland applied vim
egar and brown paper to red bruises. The
keeper evidently suffered great agony pu'
He turned to Dan and spoke.
BE that you? Where was you this
night, Daniel?''
Not In Middlecott woods. father; that
I'll swear to. But I'm feared that you was
to poor purpose, Have e catched any
body?''
No; but Adam Thorpe was hit an went
down Me an him have long knowed
what was doing, an gived it out at the
White Hart bar in mixed company that
we was to be in Thorley Bottom tonight.
Then we went to the coVerts an, sure
enough. surprised my gentlemen. Two of
'em. They fired two shots, an we laid
wait an went for em as they came out
wi birds. l got one down an he bested
me. What he've broken, If anything, 1
can't say. T'other fired on Thorpe an he
couldn't get up. Afterward, when they'd
got clear, l found he was alive but
couldn't speak. Then l crawled to the
house, an some of the gentlemen and a
indoor man or two coined out. Twas only
IL of the clock at latest. They carried
Thorpe to the cottage hospital at More
ton an sent me home. Us'll hear tomorrow
how he fares, poor soul.
Il knowed he'd catch it sooner or late
said Dan. Such a cross-grained bully as
him. But 1 hope twill larn him wisdom
An you. Be you hurt in the breathing
Will e be at my wedding tomorrow? 1t
shall be put off if you can't come
Its all right if you can swear you
had no hand in this. That's the best plas-
ter to my bruises" answered his father.
"Of course i can. Why for won't you
trust me? 1 know nought about it-God's
my Judge"
Then you'd better get to your bed an
sleep" said his mother.
"AlTs done at the Hut he answered
AN the carriage he ordered. After us be
married. we'll walk over to Minnie's aunt
an have the spread as the old woman have
arranged; then We'll drive straight away
off to the Moor An If it's wet weather. us
be going to have covered cab; for l won't
have Minnie drowned her wedding day.
Please God. you'll be up to coming to
church. father"
Il shall be there said Matthew-"there
an glad TO be there, since you wasn't doing
any harm this night. But, Mr.. Henry may
not come. I had speech with him. for the
gentleman hadn't gone to bed. Sir Regi-
maids in a proper fury. They'll leave no
stone unturned to take the rascals. My
man won't travel far l should reckon, for
l gived him quite as good as l got, maybe
better"
You've got enough anyway declared
the keepers wife. Now, lean on Dan an
ne an we'll fetch e up to your chamber.
Without a groan Matthew Sweetland let
them help him to his bed. Then at dawn
the pain of his bruises iessened and he
slept.