Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-18

then--for little john Her voice broke
| differentiation you think fit. husband
| / shall be ready
| He put his arm about her and they
| knelt down side by side at the little
| couch. Christine prayed aloud. and he
| followed her, his deeper voice hushed to a
| whisper
The two other occupants of the room
did not heed them. They. too had found
| each other. At her husbands entrance
Margaret Caruthers had crept back to
the wall and had remained there motion
less, not answering to his sharp. i'm
perative call He CROPPED around the
room, and when at length his hands
touched her face. both drew back as one
total stranger from another
why did YOU not answer he asked.
hoarsely Are YOU not aware that any
moment may be our LAST?
YES she said.
4 have something / wish 10 say TO you.
Margaret, before the time comes
II am listening.
Il wish TO say If at any period in our
unfortunate married life | have done you
wrong | am sorry.
She made no answer.
Il ask yoIr forgiveness"
Il forgive YOU.
The sound of firing outside had grown
fainter, the shrieks louder. more exultant
mingling like an unearthly savage chorus
with the hushed voices by the couch.
THY will be done prayed Christine,
valiantIy.
Margaret Caruthers lifted her head and
laughed.
Don't laugh her husband burst out.
Pray now, If YOU have ever prayed in
Your life. You have need of prayers.
He lifted his arm as he spoke: but, as
though she guessed his intention, she
sprang out of his reach
No she said. in a voice concentrated
with passion. Il am not going TO die like
that. Stafford can shoot his wife down
like piece of blind cattle if he thinks
fit-but not YOU. | won't die by your
hand. Steven. | hate you too much"
Hush" he exclaimed. The account
between us is settled
DO you think can begin to love you
just because we are both about TO die?
ing her by the wrists. There are things
worse than death. and from them | shall
shield you whether you will or not.
rs it not enough that YOU have taken
my life once?" she retorted
What do you mean? How dare YOU
say that,
Il say ii because ii is true. | have
never lived-never. You killed me years
ago-all that was best In me. Save your
soul from a second murder.
eff you live, do you know what may lie
before you9'
You talk of things worse than death.
What shame. what misery could be worse
than the years spent at your side?'
on are lHdu, Shall pay
no attention to YOU. | must save you
against your will
All through the hurried dialogue neither
had spoken above whisper. Even In
that moment they obeyed the habit of
lifetime, hiding hatred and bitterness be-
meath a mask of apparent calm. With
out a sound. but with frantic strength,
Margaret wrenched herself free.
Leave me to my own fate. she de-
manded. In the same passionate under
how cad 10 ha
for me-.
He made one last effort TO hold her In
the same instant the firing ceased alto
gether. There followed the roar and crash
of bursting timber. the pattering of naked
feet the fanatic yells drawing every sec
ond nearer.
Margaret" he cried. wildly. holding
out his revolver in the darkness If not
at my hands, then at your own. Save
yourself
Il shall save myself. have no fear.'
she answered. with a bitter. terrible
laugh.
From the couch Christine Stafford s
voice rose peacefully:
Lord, into Thy hands l commend my
spirit" Another voice answered, Amen"
There was the report of a revolver and
sudden. startling stiffness. 1t lasted only
breathing space Furious shoulders
hurled themselves against the frail, weak
~ barred door. 1t cracked, bulged in
ward. with a bursting, tearing sound,
yielded. The moonlight flooded into the
little room. throwing up into bold relief
the three upright figures and the little
heap that knelt mOtionleSS by the couch.
The crowds of savage faces hesitated,
faItering an instant before the sahibs VINO
yesterday had been their lords and mas
tiers. Then the sahibs fired. 1t was all
that was needed. The room filed. There
was one stified groan-no more than that
No cry for mercy. no whining.
Little by little the room emptfed again
The cries and boodthirsty screams of
triumphant vengeance died slowly in the
distance. the gray moonlight resumed its
peaceful sovereignty. Only here and there
were dark stains its silver could not wash
away.
(To be continued tomorrow