Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-10

lei S not at the bottom of that awful place
But whether his days are over an he lies
there or whether he's safe an beyond the
reach of those who want to take him, nv
part is the same. I'll never rest till I've
done all a faithful wife can do to clear his
memory of this wicked thing You know
SO well as l do that he was an innocent
man."
Yes, and trust me to prove him So if wit
and hard work can do it,
Those who loved him must labor to clear
him. Let them who want my good word an
goodwill right Daniel. 'Tis the only way to
my heart, an don't care who knows it, E,
Perhaps those words were the cleverest
that Minnie had ever uttered. At any rate,
they produced profound effect on Titus
Sim. He pondered deeply before replying;
then he nodded thoughtfully to himself
more than once.
tbs the great task before US all: to
make his memory sweet Rest sure enough
that III do my share he promised.
But Minnie Sweetland found her dislike of
Sim not lessened by his correct attitude
dXng these dark and troubled days. She
avoided him when possible. She kept the
secret Of her husbands flight very close
Indeed, two living souls alone knew it be-
side Minnie, and they were her husbands
parents. Dan need have been in small con-
Germ for his mother because, on the morn
ing after the poacher's flight, Minnie had
private speech with the Sweetlands and
made them understand the truth The Wom-
was wise and, perceiving her sons sal
walton probably hung upon this secret she
kept it. Matthew Sweetland also preserved
silence. His melancholy was profound, and
only Minnie had any power to lift him out
of it. Her energy and determine ton deeply
impressed him; her absolute belief and trust
in ner husbands honor put life into him.
He told her all that he knew concerning
the death of Adam Thorpe, and promised to
take her to the scene of the outrage, that
she might study it for herself.
IF only we can prove he had no hand in
it, said Matthew. But there, it's vain
to hope so-look which way you will: If he
was innocent, why for did he run?''
Innocent men have done so for nought
but terror" she answered.
Maybe; but not Daniel. He was never
afeared. Mono: he's gone with blood on
his hands. Twill never be known till judg-
ment day. Then the record will be cried
from the book.
"Why for shouldn't us believe him?" she
asked. HE never told me a lie in his life
Can you call home that you ever catched
him In one?"
But the father refused to argue
He may have throwed himself down
Wall Shaft gully for all he told you he
would not. And no man would have taken
on that dreadful death If he wasn't in
fear of dreadfuller. However, you can
come to the place an welcome. I'll show
you where one man got me down an
nearly whacked the life out of me; an I'll
show you where the other man let moon
light into poor Thorpe. The detectives
have trampled every yard of the ground,
but they found nothing good or bad. The
man or woman as can prove my son in
nocent will have my blessing, 1 promise
you. though too well 1 know he's guilty
I've heard him threaten Thorpe myself"
In process of time, therefore, Minnie WIS.,
tied the coverts of Middlecott Court and
traversed the exact ground where Dan
lei was supposed to have destroyed Adam
Thorpe. Many other more highly trained
observers had done the like: but public
interest in the affair persisted with Sweet
lands supposed suicide; and even the DO
lice. when the events of Furnum Regis
and Wall Shaft gully came to their ears,
pursued their operations at Middlecott Low
er Hundred and elsewhere with less ardor.
Their labors threw no light upon the past;
nor could they find Daniels Accomplish
Mr. Sweetland swore to a second poacher;
for one man fought with him and broke
his finger, while the other fired on Thorpe;
but both rascals had worn masks, and no
trace of either appeared after the ARRAY,
excepting only the gun-Henry Vivian's gift
to Daniel
Proceedings presently terminated tamely
enough, and it was not until fortnight
after the last detective had left Middlecott
that Minnie. With her father-in-law, Wis
tied the theater of Thorpe's death.
But they took detour. for Sweetland
had fresh troubles upon his hands.
ITO be continued tomorrow1