Evening star., 1912-06-30
helped me to escape and, further, testi-
fled in my behalf Where is the rascal?
Here, MASTER


pointing.
But 1 did not, master
"Give me my hat
1T is we'll that 1 fetched it. or You
would have caught cold in the head.and
it is Pilon, after all, who is pickled,' he
added
Get away with you," said l. weary of
his nonsense
Yes, master
Under the directions Of Surcon certain
fishermen took up the body Of Del Her.
vale to carry 1t to the village: SO with
all Lavouche as cortege 1t was borne
down the beach. Mr.. Fenton. Maitland
and the two gentlemen with them, Mr.
tered about me, in turn pressing my hand
Then 1 beheld the mayor lingering, un-
easy and downcast.
What is it, monsieu the mayor? l
asked.
"Ah. it is not as monsieur the mayor
that l would have you address me, only
as Surcon. You have said that you would
have no friends but Jean and Gas
pard--'' He halted. unable to proceed.
Come, is that all?'' said l. stretching
forth my hand
He seized it, radiant. I'VE are as chill
dren here in Lavouche, We are simple,
he exclaimed: simple, as Pilon said, but
honest We do not know the great world
outside and the evil men may do. such
as Senor Del Hervalle sought to work
against you
LET us forget all that has happened"
NO. we will keep it for shame to us.
But We shall love YOU more than ever.
Indeed, We have always loved you In our
hearts. 1t was only our minds that were
deceived"
"Lavouche shall always be dear to me,
! l answered. and he went away happy.
Our party walked down the eastern
shore Of the island, since Mr.. Moore had
invited the newcomers to spend the night
hic h0uSo I hcopod tn bo narmiffp fpd
to precede them. as ] was anxious to
reach Stag Lodge and learn of Andrews s
condition. Thereupon Mr.. Fenton inform
ed me that he had picked up the surgeon
for whom / had wired, taking him. at
the solicitation of the division superin-
tendent. aboard his own train. which he
was glad to do when he learned that 1t
was at my urgent demand the physician
was coming to the island.
And he has been attending your serv-
ant these two hours past" he concluded.
Il must go to Andrew at once, notwith-
standing l answered. He saved my
life. and my heart is heavy for him."
Go, by all MEANS Mr.. Moore said.
as Mr.. Fenton scys that the surgeon
brought with him a trained nurse. You
must eat. as we'll as the rest Of us; all
of you shall be fed at my table
Very WELL" said i, and hurried for
ward.
Then Betty flew to my side TN go
with you, for / also love Andrew
It was not until we were out Of sight
of the others, past = Moore wharf and
come almost to Stag Lodge, that clasped
Betty in my arms. So much had been
gone through, so much suffered, SO many
dangers escaped. that love and happiness
welled in my breast. Her dear eyes
looked into mine with trust and joy: her
arms clung to me. Nothing should ever
divide us, the sweetest. truest, most loyal
heart in the world and mine
The ocean is wide bat not as wide
as our love-" said l. 1T beats and
throbs and flows forever, yet not SO
greatly as our love: it has tides, but our
storms and night-our love will not know
them. 1t piumbs the waters, it runs to
meet the dawn. 1t ascends and it sits in
heaven. My soul gives itself to you,
dearest"
while after. as we went / perceived
Esper following afar off. Had he seen?
He walked with a finger laid upon his
nose. Well. / cared nOt-all the world
might know my love for this dear girl at
my side whose hand clasped mine
In Stag Lodge l found the surgeon and
Billy sitting before the fireplace. the
one grave and the other glun. But at
my appearance the latter sprang up. ran
to me and wrung my hand.
"All is well? all is well?i he demanded.
'Alrs we'll with me- / responded. The
investigation is over. I'm proven innocent.
Pilon and Del Hervalle were shown to be
guilty and now they're dead
Dead" His eyes opened wide.
Eyes. Jean killed the one and Del Her.
vale died by his own hand
"Of course l had to miss the fun he
sighed.
But you've done me a nobler service
here than you could have performed
there. Your part was true friendship
You know. of course. I would not have
wished todo anything else than l did
And Andrew"
Doing finely. The bullet is out and
he is sleeping. The old fellow has a con-
stitution like an ox-simple life, early
hours and all that, you know"
Now, indeed, was | happy. To know
that he would recover. be my old faithful
Andrew again. caused my cup of JOY to
run over. 1 would have a peep at him.
me. beheld him fast asleep. His silver
hair had been smoothed his eyes were
closed he breathed softly and regularly.
The nurse smiled raised finger and we
went out as noiselessly as we had en-
tered. Dear old Andrew.
Il am NJ. Woodworth's new valet de
chambre," I heard a familiar voice re-
mark.
Esper stood before the fireplace, very
much at home.
BY heaven, you need q bath, them the.
surgeon stated with a puff at his pipe.
THAT is very true. Circumstances of
late have caused me to suffer inconven-
iences monsieur the doctor, among them
| lack Of washing-I will presently shine
with soap and water"
Suddenly a thought struck me.
What became Of Davis?' l asked him.
Nom de chien, he vanished into the
SANDS when every one ran after you: he
hastened to boat pushed off and rowed
across to the mainland. l, who had stop
ped to secure Your hat, caught him by the
elbow Monsieur, it is impolite to go
without making a farewell, l said. But
he was in anxiety, it appeared. So l sent
little stone after him to give him more
haste. which struck him on the leg and
accomplished its purpose, MASTER
l turned to Betty.
This Esper Is to be my valet" / said,
smiling
II purchased my escape from Pilon's
| house on that condition.
This fellow"
Esper bowed.
Il am very good valet mademoiselle-
also, l am very discreet"
Now, did he refer to what he had seen
on the beach? / wondered.
This poor Andrew" he went on Il
will cure him. l have been something Of
doctor among other things. 1 am ac-
quainted with herbs, poultices and cup
ping. AT which the surgeon shifted.
Come, We shall all go to Moore House
for supper" said /.
The surgeon knocked the coal out of
his pipe and rose, while Billy secured their
hats AS we passed from the house to
the beach / looked back at its lamp-lit
my breast
A shadow spoke at my elbow.
"A most excellent jest is finished, mas
ter
And so it was-a jest of fate. an en-
tanglement that had taken three men
In tha