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

Sim had fixed for his formal proposal, and
her eyes were actually fixed upon the
Western Morning News, where it lay
spread over her table. at the moment that
the man was asking her to marry him.
Il can't hold 1t In no more" he said.
'You know right well what mean. I've
been patient too-God knows how patient.
Oh. woman. don't torment me any longer.
life's one cruel stretch on the rack as 1t Is.
All I've done to get you you'll never know.
You've been the one thought and hope and
prayer and longing of my life ever since ]
first set eyes on you, and now-now there 8
nought between us-now-Minnie! Good
God-what's the matter-what have I
done?"
He broke off and leapt to his feet, for she
had fallen back In her chair and an ex-
preston of great terror and horror had
come into her face. She had only heard his
last words. The woman did not faint but
for the moment she was powerless to speak.
Her emotion. had robbed her cheek of
blood and made her dizzy. In response to
his cry she pointed to the sheet before her.
He glanced at the long Reuter- telegram
and then noted the brief paragraph upon
which she kept her finger:
Among the Inflated vessels that went
down with all hands was the English
steamer Peabody (Nailor & Coz. 1t is re-
ported that she attempted to steam out OF
harbor, but was overwhelmed and sunk In
the awful CONFUSION from above and be-
low. Every soul on board perished.".
What Is this to you or to me? What do
you know? Tell me IL 1 can do anything -
cried Titus Sim.
Every soui-every SOUL" she said, quot
ing in strange voice under her breath.
Every SOUL but 1t means every body.
The souls have gone back where there's no
hopes nor fears nor sorrows. But his body
his dear body-all-all persisted l can't
read no more. Does 1t say ALP"
That awful thing in Martinique. Yes,
they be full of it at the house and full of
fhankSQfvinRS wasn't TObaQ that
was smitten.. But you, Minnie-what is this
to you?.
death be mine-the death of all that's best
in me-the death of all kept alive for
him."
"For-for-you don't mean your husband
Not Daniel Sweetland?"
HE was on board her. Twas to her he
went and in her he sailed only heard II
u thought more than month agone. Heard
it under his own hand. He wrote me let
There might be another ship of that
name But how much this means! And you
could hide it all from me. And
thought"
.You thought he was in Wall Shaft gully.
And now he lies in bigger grave than
that-my Dan-driven away to die. May
God remember the man who ruined my
husbandt
| For once Sim was shaken from his power
| of ready speech; for once his tongue seemed
| tied. The tremendous nature Of this event
made him powerless. Yet at the bottom OF
his bewildered mind lurked JOY. The thing
| he had toiled to bring about appeared at
| last accomplished without further posi-
bility Of failure. Doubt no longer existed.
| Sweetland was now dead indeed. He con-
cealed his Thanksgiving and began to
mourn. No more of love he spake, but strove
to find consolation for her In religious re-
Elections Dry-eyed she stared from him to
the newspaper. from the newspaper back to
+, him. Then she babe him leave her, and he
| went. but stopped at the public house hard
by and told his tremendous news to Mr.. and
Mrs Beer. They, who knew the secret of
Daniels disappearance, were stricken with
profound sorrow, and scarcely had Sim
proclaimed the truth before Jane Beer
hurried bareheaded from the house and
ran to her friend.
Poor young womang' groaned Johnny In
genuine grief, what world of ups and
downs and hopes and fears she have suf-
fered. to be sure! To think as one pair OF
girls shoulders be called upon to carry
| such a burden. There's nought to be done
Only time can help her, an maybe YOU"
ITO think.'' said Sim. land I was that
moment putting marriage before her! An