T1U2 OMAHA DAUjY BEE: THURSDAY, MARCH 22, ll00.
9
1 THE INN ON
Hy I. Y. I1LACK.
Author of "Tho Traitress," "Tho Dagrobbar," "Tho Serjeant ol the
S Guard."
(Copyrighted, lOOO, by I'. Y. Ulack.)
Doom and roar and cranh, and ncaln
and again throughout tho day and through
out tho night, boom and roar and crash!
Tho surf charged upon tho pebbled beach
with tfin lilltyn wpfilh o t n mnnatmiia (.nitut
Tho .crcecblng wind ru.hcd In from the leal !
caves beyond tho ca, walling and shrieking
ngalnst Its relentless hunters. It sought
pity and shelter from tho land, but tho land ' uld TcJ 0aMi "lowly removed his over
shivered and shook, and besought It to bo ' t oal aml hat- sh(ok hls shn88' hca1 do
Konc. Then tho maddened wind seized the raln scattered from it In a shower, wagged
rain and tossed It In torrents on tho roors hls nRsr t 'I'0 woman and roared:
nnd Bttccts. It swooped upon the waves "Uon't get cross, .MaRglc, or I'll klus youl
and grasped tho foam and scattered It far l nl " R0"K wo Uo missis."
Inland. It stratched up the sand and pebbles "Tho wlnd'a bad enough without you roar
and pelted them against tho walls nnd lS to beat It," Muggio protested, and tho
window panc. Iloom and roar and crash! sallorman mado his way with tho certain
A fiercer galo had seldom attacked the llttlo step of an habltuo to the door cf tho parlor,
lonely Inn on tho beach. "o opened tho door with a "good evening,
Out In the night, out on tho sea, tho 1 ma'am!" which boro down tho crash of the
Ashing boat from strange lands tossed and piano.
tumbled nnd pitched, groaning and creak-1 "Captain OueH!" cried nt tho same time
lng, plunging and rolling, no better nor , Airs. Holloway, and Katie, and Jack lleau
nlouter In that storm than a shaving mont. "Out in such a night! ,ro yoj
launched by a child. The three men in it ,
clung helplessly to the Kpars and rails,
shuddering with cold and fear, and, with
less hope as tho hours passed, seeking 'a
light In tho darkness, wecklng aid In their
r, w t -n m I .. V? 1lr,t, dhnnfl' n l llfatlftnt '
came. Ono lost strength nnd hope, and ,
nearcely resisting, was swept overboard with
u howl of despair. Another began to pray ;
DM"...
with a forolgn tonguo to many saints, but
the third hrld fiercely to the mast and
laughed at his neighbor's prayers and, look
ing on the storm, cursed It and defied It
Mrs. Hollouny could not rest In her
snuggery In the Inn. She rose from her
nu-n unnclnl wirWInt? phnlr nnd went in thn
nlnHniM. rlr.-itvlnc- aaliln thn warm curtains ,
to peep out nt tho storm. Sho could not seo """ 'ay i sit in tne snuggery wan
two Inches beyond the gluss, yet sho re- I ou?" (
jn allied many minutes nt tho window nnd I For n moment the landlady of tho Inn
her Angers twitched and clasped each other ' hesitated with some embarrassment. Then
In nervous dread. One might have believed, she smiled on the kindly faced old grny
bo fixed was her gaze upon tho impenetrable ! beard nnd assented. Tho two lovers were
mgni, inai no rcany couiu huo uituuku
the storm, could see across tho rouring,
racing waves, and advance her spirit further
than man's ken to meet halfway that thing
tvlilchr'was approaching. .
From fW parlor music camo and tho
commingling of voices, A man's volco
blended with a woman's so harmoniously
iih to assure the hearer- of something wore
than frequent' practice1 by the. singers, cf an
entire unison of soul and sentiment.
Ich -wolss nlclit wns soli est bedeuten,
Das leh ho traurlg bin.
There was no note of undue sadness in tho
voices of tho singers. For them tho song
wns tho fair expression of a dream a song
of "sweet- melancholy." In tho far dlstnnro
of tho future, they might repeat the words
with moro personal lmportv' Today they wero
too young' to deeply think. To Mrs. Hollo
way the song meant far moro than to the-m.
lAs her daughter's muab smoto her ears and
the lover's volco Joined In, sho suddenly left
tho window and sat down again In her
rocker. She hid her face with her hands and
wept'i ,f '
- Ich welss nlclit was soil est licdcutcn,
' Das leh ho traurlg bin.
Tho singing ceased abruptly. Iu a moment
thoro camo Into tho snuggery from tho ad
joining parlor a young woman, fair-faced nnd
with eyes that wero wldo with love. Sho
kneeled at her mother's feet and drew the
hiding bands from the thin face.
"Mother; mother, mother, what does this
mean?"
:A young ,man followed, snllor by dress,-
sailor by bearing, Bailor by his freckled, sun
iburned, salt-beaten face, sailor by his big,
ropo-hardoned hands, sailor by his keen,
open, far-seeing eyes.
"Hallo, mother! What's the matter?"
He, too, bent over Mrs. Holloway, and, with
b son's regnrd, placed ono arm lovingly
nround her shuldcrs. Yet tho dlsengnged
hand sought his sweetheart's nnd pressed It
also In an embracing dcslro to comfort both.
"Crying, mother? Crying this week or all
weeks In tho long, long year? Oh, mother,
mother! I thought wo ngrced that there
wore to. bo no tears at my wedding?"
Mrs. Holloway tried to smile, but sobbed
ngaln. She caught her daughter's hand and
drew the girl up to her brea3t nnd patted
tho sailor's hand reassuringly.
"I'm not sick, dears,"' sho said, "and 1
think I am very foolish indeed, because 1
don't know why I nm cry,lrig. It's the storm,
I suppose."
"Not so much of a gain, "mother, and
Jack's not at sea at any rate."
Tho mother laughed through her tears.
"Oh, of course," sho said, "if Jack's hore,
nnd safe. It does not matter how tho wind
may blow, but still, my dear, thero aro many
boats at sea and many Jacks. I suppose 1
ora nervous, but I seem to boo tho boats
onlght rocking and tumbling, aud tho men
In them cold and hungry and wet. drlvlna
on the shore perhaps, and, oh, perhaps not
ready for death. Oh, Katlo dear, I shall be
bo glad when you'ro married, and then 1
shall give- up this Inn aud get far, far away
from tho sound of tho sea."
Kato Holloway looked at Jack Ueauraont
with a worried raising of tho eyonrows. ana
Jack bogan to whlstlo softly 'tho "Lorolcl."
"It's very true," Mrs. Holloway said, and
... i i I , ' 1 T il nn'l
ross wltn a srauc, urj uis w--
know what haa happened lo innKe uiu n
sad. and you will both forglvo me. won't
you? I shan't do It again."
"Dear llttlo mother!" cried Katlo.
"Good old mother!" cried Jack. "It's bo
cause) all your summer boarders havo llown,
and you feel tho bouso lonely and ompty.
Hut, really, you must remember your prom-Ise-ltio
tears for tho wedding next week,
only love and laughing and kisses, and then
wn'ii all llvo togothor wherover you llko so
long as you aro within reach when I como
sailing homo to meet my sweetheart and tho
. ..... .u I n kA n.rtil 11
oest lliiio inumn
Thev craspod the gray-haired, tender
laced woman betweon them, laughing and
embracing her, and urow ner into wio parior.
"Dance," cried Kato Holloway. "Jack,
maUn her danco. It Is tho ono perfect euro
in thn doldrums. Go on I Bhall play.
n In snlto of her protosts, the landlady
of tho Inn was gently Rupert about the room
on tho arm pr her big young son-in-law
tn ho.
Outsldo the storm howled ngalu, aud the
ppray and sand dashed against tho glass,
nnd tho rain plunged on tho roof. Nearer
nnd nearer to the shore camo tho (Usher's
iioat. nearer "and nearer to death, and ono
jnan hung to a ropo praying, and ono roan
m.ni dm mast cursing. Tho cozy lights
of tho Inn, streaming bravely through tho
red window curtains shown out on tho bencu.
A loud knocK sounded on tho outer door,
but tho dancers wero too busy to notlco It.
Tho piano played merrily on to tho accora
i.nniment of Knto's laugh and Jack lleau-
mont's whistle. Mrs. Holloway, carried away
by tho cheerful sympathy of tho young peo
liiuhint herself and forgetting tho
fnrnhndlncs of the evening. The solo
nrvnt ii(ft'fter the departure of the sum
mer boardcrs 'opened tho door, and the wind
nnd the rain dashed at onco so furiously Into
ho hall that sho was borno Inside and flat
tened against tho wall by tho owing of tho
I nnr.
"Eh! air. Guest! , Mr. Guest!" she
screeched. ''Shut to the door. It's moro, nor
1 can manage,. What n night!
Tho hurlv. whlto-balred visitor turned
ranting. ThtS wot shbueon his hair and the
rough Wuo cloth of hi eoat anu upon ni
oilskin hat. He was too breathless to an
nwer at once, but put his shoulder to tho
THE BEACH. 1
door and with the aid of tho woman closed
out the angry storm.
"Is Mrs. Holloway at homo?" he aeked
with tho Immense roar of n calc-huarscncil
tolcc.
To be sure sho's at home," said the sorv-
'r.clful nl A1!0 lnvnflon .f. 'J10 8tornV
11 8 T". Kcn6,,c Pwpio woum do on sucu
n night 'stead of visiting.'
afraid of no weather at all, then?"
'Not tonight, ma'am, nor any night when
I've got nn appointment. How do you do.
Katie, my dear? You're nleh nn nn-fti- inni. I
nB aa yotlr mother at your age. Jack, you
.........I 1 .. 1 . . ...
them rosy cheeks? Mrs. Holloway, you've
bccn dancing! Atl(I lt.8 dono you d you
iot)k ns y0UIlg n3 ovcr. ,
mum unvu you ueen doing to give Jior
"Havo a turn with mofhor. oh. do. Can
tain Guest!" Kato cried, clapping her hands.
"Go It, skipper, do! I've done my share!"
Jack cried.
"They used force and compelled me. cap
tain," said Mm. Holloway. "That Is my
excuse for being so foolish nt my age."
nicss 'em," said Ted Oucut, beaming on
tnc youngsters,
Lavcf 'em to their mualo,
at tho piano ngaln. ,As tho older folks left)
the room their voices took up tho Inter-
HE INTE-rmUPThu HIS OWN WORDS
rupted song:
Ich welss nlcht was soil es bedeuten,
Das Ich so traurlg bin.
Mrs. Holloway shivered again.
"Pretty, but sad," said the sallorman, and
the galo at tho moment beat so tumultously
n tho Inn as to momentarily drown even his
ttumpot voice. With groat respect ho
handed Mrs. Holloway to a chair and planted
himself by the stove, with his legs apart.
Mrs. Holloway," ho roared, "I said I'd
keep tho appointment, and I have. 1'vo
como for tho answer."
Mrs. Holloway, her fingers nervously toy
ing with her handkorchlof, looked up and
smilingly shook her head, whllo a blush to
delicately rosy that it would have graced
tor daughter's cheek and neck stolo over
her gently wrinkled face. Ted Guest shook
his finger nt her In protestation, and cried
In ns gcntlo a volco as ho could command:
Don't say it again, ma'am. Dolly, my
dear, don't. It's tho fourth year and the
fourth tlrao I'vo asked. Think a moment.
Thero's Kato, nenrly as fine a woman us
her mother. Thero's Jack, ns good and ris
ing a sailor ns ever took thn bridge on !
liner. They lovo you, but they lovo each
other better. They're going off to bo mar
ried, and you'll bo alone. Next week's their
marriage and n merry Christmas week 'twill
bo for thorn. But you'll bo left in tho inn
alone, and you can't benr it. Look hers,
you'vo known mo slnco I wns boy and you
wero girl, and I novcr loved any other girl.
Don't stay alone. Come to my house; bo
my wife. What should Btop you?"
Mrs. Holloway looked at him with tears
In her eyes.
You know, Ted, you know why It can
never be. I must wait, bo It over so long,"
"Walt?" Ted Guest roared as savagely ns
ho could. Havo you not waited lonb
enough? Twenty years slnco ho left you.
He's dead."
"Ho wns alivo ten years ago
"And In prison."
"Hush; and live years ago ho wns alive"
"Onlv to beg from you. If ho were still
alive, Dolly, you would have heard from
him. Ho would havo Dcen writing ior as
sistance. Dolly?"
I can't Ted, I can't. Ho is wane s ratne-r
and ho is my husband still."
Any woman but you woum nave got. a
divorce " . ' ''. .
'And dragged my namo anu ivauo s
down? Think of Jacic ueaumom. u i um
what you wished nnd be camo uomo;
What disgrace for him nnd Katie."
'It's not right: It's not natural; ii s a
shame! You havo no rlgnt
"Don't pleaso say any more, old menu.
Thero can bo only one answer.
"But If I know ho is dead'.' i nnvo Deen
huntlnc for him. nnd can tlnd no trace. If
I bring you proof that ho can nover troublo
you again, that ho Is rcauy ueaa; men,
linllv woman?
Sho was crying sortiy. from mo pmnu
cawe tho music and tho voices:
Ich welss nlclit was soil es bedeuten.
"Dolly, dear?"
"I don't know, Ted. I feel so strange to
night, and I ought to bo happy with Kato
nnd Jack so happy."
"If I bring you u'ows, then"
"O, Ted, Ted I suppose so,"
Tha old captain stooped nnd kissed her
hand to seal tho compact, but nt once
Jumped erect again, listening. Abovo tho
shriek of tho wind, above tho dash of rain,
above tho roar of tho surf, camo n cry
a long, long shriek for help from tho ocean.
Captain, Guest's trained ear distinguished it
from all tho other rails of tho tempest
stricken night. Ho darted to tho parlor
door and burst upon the lovers.
'Aiboat ashore" ho roared. "Jaek Beau
mont, come along! Some one Is sboutlbg
for assistance!"
u
He toro through tho hall like a billiard,
followed by the young oiiicer. in a second
they were out In tho storm and down on the
beaih, where already somo fishermen had :
gathered. A smack was being battered on :
the shore. Two men were washed from It 1
and Into tho surf. They were cast almcet at '
Ted Guest's feet, brutaed and bloody nnd j
sensclcffl. Tho skipper was at onco on his
knees beside them. For an Instant he bent i
over ono man, him who had cursed ns he
clung to the mast, and then the captain got
up, white and shaking.
"Is he alive?" cried Jack.
"Yea," said old Ted Ouest. "God help her.
He Is alive."
III.
Tho storm had parsed. Tho wind had been
driven again to Its unseen haunts beyond
tho seas. A long, lazy, sunsmlttcn swell had
tnken tho place of the snowcapped waves.
Tho sea beat heavily but wearily on the
land, with a tired approach and a spiritless
break. Here and thero along the beach were
still signs cf tho tcmpcjt's rage. An old
treo near tho Inn was uprooted, the roof of
an old sawmill had been carried away
night In front of the Inn, but a few yards be
low low water mark, tho wreck of tho sloop
lay stilly, Its rlba already half burled by
tho wash of the wnd. Tho mast to which
tho man had duns lay up on tho beach,
heaved there by tho high tide. Nothing had
come ashore from tho hulk to show who tho
men were.
Mrs. Holloway had felt a llttlo Indignant.
Hero was an assured position In tho town
M,. ivhcrn now sho hud kent tho Inn for
Ifotir years. It ecemcd to her that the proper
. , I.... . . I -
plaeo to oner ns sueucr iu wie umuiuuunu
mariners would have been tnat place at
whoco doors Providence had cast them.
"Hcsldos," she admonished Ted Guest,
"thcr Is no plaeo where they could be
really comfortable, no plac'o along tho beach
for miles and miles."
"It Is no." said Katey. "I don't know
what tho flsherfollc about will think of us!
Fancy them being carried away from our
very door. And thoy can't bo comfortable
nt Davo Copoland's. Jack, you should have
Insisted on bringing them In here. 1 feel
ashamed It was vorno than Inhospitable; It
was really and truly unchrlstlanllke."
"I I did think," said Jnck neaumont.
apologetically, "but Captain Guest was In
charge, you know."
"They were not," paid old Ted. quietly.
"tho class of men to bring luto such a house
aa thl3 la."
BY OS VINO A JfOitRtBLdO YiBUj.
' "What, almost drowned? Bruised? Near
death?"
"They'll be all right at Copeland's," said
tho captain with somo Irritation.
"Well, well," Mrs. Holloway smiled. "Tho
captnlu acted for tho best and to save us
worry. But, do you know, that night of
tho storm I knew something was going to
happen. I felt somebody was out thero on
tho Bca needing help. I could not keep away
from tho window. It seemed as If somo one
who had a claim on mo was in danger. I
really havo not quito got over that nervous
feeling yet."
Captain Guest got up from his chair nnd
walked nbruptly away from tho group. His
lips were quivering; his brown cheeks were
paled; his hands wero clenched. He was
wondering with a feeling of horror what
strango power that man must havo had
over his old sweetheart that he could so
speak to her spirit across miles of roaring
ocean ana tnrougn the volumes of night's
oiacKness. The black-hearted devil could
he still maintain a hold on her? The faith
ful skipper's face grow white. in his time
hd .had seen many Btrnngo things seen
many men, Immeasurably better than Dolly's
woiuucss nusnand, suddenly killed. He
stood for a time motionless, with dry lips
and frightened eyes. Jack Beaumont was
speaking to Kato about a morning walk.
Wo can call and seo those poor wrecked
men," said Katie.
"Will you take mo with you?" Mrs. Hollo
way asked. "Wo might mo able to do some
thing moro for them than Mrs. Copeland
can."
Ted Guest turned shnrply.
"No, no," ho cried, his big voice shaking.
"No? Why not?"
"I vo been to sco them. They're a llttlo
Uollrlous yet and they're two bad lots, I
minK. uon t go, Katlo. Don't go, Mrs.
Holloway at least not for a day or two.
Jack, It would not bo a sceno to take Katie
to."
"Captain Guest," cried Katie, emphatically,
'If mother and I get a bad namo in this
community for inhospltallty and all tin
charitableness, please remember that you aro
aiono to blame.
jaiiK iieuuinoru icok irtgnt. With n a
week of 'his wedding he would not havo his
sweothcart disturbed.
But Guest Is right," cried ho. "Walt a
day or two, Katie, until they aro mended a
bit."
Guest sighed with relief. The lovers went
nway for thulr walk. IIo was alone with
Mrs. Holloway.
"Ted," said she, looking at him with
her qulot, deepening eyes, "you aro
worried ubout these men. It thero any
particular reason you did not bring them to
tho Inn?"
Old Ted roared at hor explosively and
with an exaggeration of vehemence.
"Yes, ma'am! You wero frightened and
nervous that night, and I would not havo
bothered you any more."
Sho gavo him her hand with a tender
lunch.
"Ted," she said, "I don't know what I
should do without you. You wore nlwavs
nurslug mo. It was kind of you to think of
It. I was very, very nervous that night."
Guest held her hand and looked steadily
In her eyes,
"Dolly," ho said, "do you remember what
you said that night? 1 had been looking for
news ot him. If ho was dead If I could
prove he was dead you Bald you would lis-
ten to mo."
"Yes," sho said, and again her neck and
face wero softly red,
"But If I find bo Is alive?"
"I must know It." sho said earnestly. "I
must help hlra for Katie's sake. Ho Is
Katie'j father. You and I know how way-
ward he always was. I llvo In continual
Uuror that he does something rery bad.
Then It will bo In the newspapers and 1
Katio will learn that her rattier is alive and
a hunted criminal. Jack Ueauraont will
feel himself deceived, and their happlncsfl
will bo destroyed, 0! Ted, don't you see?
1 am unhappy. I havo ncted a Ho to Katie
nnd Jack. I am never certain but that man
will appear and ruin my child's happiness. If
ho Is alive and oh, surely It Is no harm to ,
nope mm gone my only saiety is to keep
him quiet somewhere. I have money. Ho
can hnve a good allowance any allowance,
if oniy no win not dtsturo nts dnugtiter."
"I know," said old Guest, with a quiver. 1
"Dolly, you wore always good and wlso, and
know best. If It was your wish I would do
mmmm
TUB SK1I'1KR WAS AT ONCB ON HIS
KNEES HESIDE THEM.
anything, whatever It was. But think how
hard It Is on me, and I'vo been faithful,
haven't I?"
"O Tod, so true; so true!"
"Still, for Katie's sake, you would see
this man If ho i3 alive and keep him
quiet?"
"For Katie's sake, dear Ted."
Hu loft her and he looked .far older on this
bright and sunny morning than he had on
tho night ot tho storm.
IV.
The house of David Copeland, fisherman,
and of Mrs. Copoland, tavernkeeper, was not
by any moans of tho comfortable and pic
turesque character which drew people to
spend their summer In Mrs. HoIIoway's Inn.
A white, bare building, stundlng aloof from
tho llttlo cottages of the other fishorfolk, It
afforded no promiso of cozy attentions, nor
any further pledgo than that of ordinary
barrom vulgar delights and tho chilliest of
bedroom accommodation. To an upper room,
furnished with two cots, tho Ushers had
carried tho wrecked strangers. Their ap-
poaranco and their manners, when the doctor
had revived tbem somowhat, were not such
as to conciliate either their bostccs or the
medical man. They were unrooponsivo to
kindness, and, but that they had a llttlo
money with them to pay their way, Dave
Copeland, when they wero able to walk,
would havo bade them bo on their road
"Dagos," sail Dave. ''At least ono on
'cm is, 'an tho other looks brother to tho
tlovll. No wonder Mrsi Holloway didn't
want 'cm at tho i innHowbo they havo
saved something from thefwreck, an' a poor
mnn can't nfford to turn fjway money
Thus, the first Interest tn,.tho castaways
over, they wero left to themselves, and tho
tlshnrmen of tho lonely beach pursued their
own laborious way. Ono ot the strangers
was moro badly hurt by the surf than tho
other, and he remained fretfully In his room
Tho other was able to wander about a little,
frightening children with his bandaged head,
and repelling men and women by his furtlvo
looks and sullen answers.
Ted Guest, In a ma. ner, since his rest
denco among them, the adopted chief of tho
primitive villagers, by reason of his roaring
voice, his rank as a retired sea captain and
bis possession of an Independence, made his
way, as tho sun wejit down, to tho Copeland
tavern. It was Christmas eve, a very still
evening, chill and gray. A flyrry or two of
snow from the gray clouds promised a dark-
cold winter's night with the promiso ot such
a white-carpeted earth on tho morrow as
befitted tho Christmas season. He had loft
tho dlolloways at tho Inn preparing for
Christmas and tho wedding which was soon
to follow. Jack Beaumont was called away
on huslness, to return on the morning, nnd
mother nnd daughter were alone. Old Ted
was wretched In heart. There are times
when tha commission of murder seems tq
boro souls almost pardonable, and such It
seemed to tho skipper tonight. Ho stoot!
near Copeland's collecting his thoughts, nnd
shivered under tho cloudy skies as tho night
closed In. Ho had been faithful to her for
years, hoping for his roward. Now, when
It soemed almost within touch, this thing
must come back from the dead, and ho had
promUcd "to take him to her. There was
llttlo of the Christmas Joy In old Ted's
heart.
Mrs. Copoland showed him the room. It
was dark eavo for a candle's light.
"I fear he's a bad man," tho woman
whispered. "If you'ro goln' to ask him about
who ho Is. you'll get short anBWors, sir. He'i
a sulky fellow, an', Christmas gone, I'll ask
him an' his mato to bo off."
Tho skipper closed tho door, shutting him
self In tho room. Tho man from tho wreck
was alone, his face at the window. H,o
turned swiftly nround.
"So you've got back,.JIolIoway, you scoun
drol!" said Guest.
Tho man bounded up nt tho name, nnd In
an Instant bad drawn a revolver.
"Who ore you? Who said Holloway? What
do you want hero? My name's not Hollo
way
"Put that away," said tho .sailor, sharply
but lowering his usually Jolly, roaring voice
"Don't you know mo? Don't you know you
old sklppor, Ted Guest?"
Tho man gasped, nnd there was a mlnut
pause. Then he laid tho pls,tol on the bed
nnd camo forward with a laugh, holding ou
his hand.
"Guest," he cried, "what brings you hore
By Jove, but I am glad to seo you again."
Guest pushed asldo the hand.
"I'm not at all glad to-seo'you!" ho said
"What 111-fortuno brought ybu hero? What
wickedness have you been up to since
helped you not for your sake to escape
Justice before?"
Tho man gavo a growl iu tho shadows Ilk
a sullen bear In Its cavo,
"What Ill-luck brought you here?
snarled. "And now you havo entered m
,oora unnske1. havo you nothing to say but
' ' recall tne past: u you nave not, you
' iwlRht as well loave mo alone, as you found
1 mCi
"Have I not a right'" tbo captain began
with ono of his sudden roars, and then, with
effort, ho controlled himself.
, "Holloway," ho said, lowering his voice,
i "cbanco has thrown you upon tho beach
where I live, and I wish It had thrown you
I on It dead. You know I wotild not be here
i for your sake, or bocauso I want to seo you
myself. Before I Bay why I came Tiere I
''want you to tell me what you'vo been do-
. Ing slnco you disappeared, flva years ago."
"You," growled the man, "you want to
know? You'vo wanted to know evervthlne
slnco ever you flrt meddled with my nf
fairs. You Interfered about my marriage,
You bent my wife's mind against me, You
helped me to get away, that 1 might leave
you freo with my wl ."
"Silence, you blackguard!" yelled the
captain, and, rising to his feet from the
chair, ho shook his stick furiously at the
other. "You you scoundrell Don't say a
word against tho best"
"What right have you to defend my
wife?"
"The right of a man!" cried old Ted. "Tho
God - given right of a man to protect all
women against such ns youl Stand back,
Holloway! t don't care that for your pistol!
Touch it nnd I'll knock your brains outt"
The man was panting with rage, but tho
skipper looked so determined In his wrath
that the other sank back In his chair.
"Pshaw, Ted Guest!" ho growled. "I,ot
this thing drop. What do you want? If It
ero not for ono thing, of course, 1 d know
hat brought you."
Goota night, oamaradocs, said n volco
at the dcor, and the other man entered, tho
same who had prayed on tho smack, on tho
Ight of tho storm. Guest turned on him
harply. The Ill-looking wretch who met
his look smiled on him benignly.
Never mind him," said Holloway. "Ho
ocb not understand much English. He and
1 you see, I repose special confidence in
uch an old friend" (ho sneered), "have
had to get away from Cuba best wo could.
I don't know whether tho Spaniards or
mer' ins wanted us worst wo played
Ith uoth. That's why we'ro here. Now, as
1 was saying"
"If It were not for ono thing? What
thing?"
"Why, that Dolly's dead. If sho wero
not 1 should say sho sent you. I heard
f Dolly's death four years ago."
Ted Gnost did not reply. If this were so,
If tho man really thought his wife dead-
then? Surely thero was no uso In bringing
him to Mrs. Holloway.
"But," said tho outcast, with a sudden
thought, "there's Katey. I'd llko to sco
Katcy, my llttlo girl. Guest, look here, I
an see by your eyes you know whero Katey
Is. Between us, let thero bo no fooling.
My friend hero and 1 aro in the blackest
f holes. Whero Katey Is you know and
I'll soon find out. Give me some money
nt onco to go west, or I'll nsk it from her."
For an instant tho Kklppcr grasped nt this
hanco to get Immediately rid of the
scoundrel. A railroad ran a few miles away.
Ho pulled cut his watch to look at tho time.
Ho wns near tho candle, and tho foreign
rascal was closo behind him, walking. Guest
pulled a roll of bills half way from his
pocket and then shoved them back again.
No! this was not keeping his promiso to
Dolly Holloway. If alive, he had said ho
ould bring her husband to her for Katey a
sake. Good. Let tho villain have tne cnauco
tho whlto-soulod woman would give him.
Guest had promised bar. Ho would keep
bio promise. Theso thoughts flashed through
hlB mind In a moment. Ho drew himself
erect. The foreigner was cIobo behind him.
"Unllownv." said the skipper, almost
gently, "Dolly Is not dead. I camo to glvo
you another chance, to bring you"
The butt of a revolver swung in mo air
and crashed on tho captain's head, and he
fell. Tho Cuban was at him Instantly
rlflinc his pockets of watch and bills.
Holloway remained still, stunned ni nis
comrade's action, stunned at tho news of
his wife being alive. Tho Cuban leaped up,
dancing In rage. For all his troublo ho
had found very llttlo money on uuesi, anu
the watch was not of great value.
"No cnough-a," he cried.
Holloway camo to his senses.
"You'vo done It now, Jose," said he, with
a reckless laugh. "Wo are bound to get
away tonight at all risks far away. How
about tho other thing? um you scorn..
Is It safe? Only women? Then we'll havo
to make a try. What tlmo is it? i-et. s get
out of this quick, then. Dolly alive? If
only I could find her I would bo sale: Lome,
Jose, softly now!"
In the snuggery of tho Inn mother and
daughter sat together, sowing on Katie's
weddln: dres3. They were cnatting cneer-
rully, according to tho promiso of there being
no tears at tho girl's wedding. 'I he snow
was falling; tho night was very cold. Katlo
pcoped from tho window.
Don't you find It dull witnout jneK,
mother dear?" she said. "Perhaps Captain
Gue3t will drop In to keep us company."
But Christmas eve passed and Captain
Guest did not come. Mrs. Holloway did not
ilisgulso her disappointment.
Ho la such nn old friend." she said, "and
on this night of all nights In the year. I
thought ho would call upon us."
Katie looked nt her mother quizzically
and bent over her and whispered In her car.
"Mother," sho said, "do you know wo havo
mado a very pretty wfddlng dress, out we
might do still better with practice. How nlco
It would bo to practice next upon yours."
"Katlo!" cried Mrs. Holloway, and she, too,
found It needful to run to the window and
peep out at tho weather. Tho snow was
falling heavily now aud It was quite dark,
with a heavy-clouded r!f. The inn had
nover before oeemed so Isolated. Tho sllenco
without was utter. Even the waves upon the
beach rolled in with leaden nolselcssness.
Katie went to the piano. It was natural eho
should choose Jack's favorite song. Soon
tho soft notes of her voice stol6 through tho
house:
Ich welss nlcht was soil es bedeuten,
Das Ich no traurltr bin.
She merely touched the Instrument with
her fingers and her voice wns very low and
gentle. Tho song, fullest of yearning nnd
rogret and sweetness of all )ngs, sounded
with profound tenderness In tho mother's
cars, suddenly Katie stopped ana iookcu ai
Mrs. Holloway. Tbo Dolly of old days was
gazing with sad eyes fnr beyond tho room,
boyond tho Inn, beyond tho beich, nnd tho
eyes wero filled with tears
"Mother," cried tho girl, kneeling at lor
side, "forglvo mo! It was thoUKhtlci of mo
to sing that. I know how It affee'ed you on
tho night of tho storm. You nre no nervous
again tonight, nre you, pet?'
I I don t know," Dolly murmured, catch
ing at her child's hand "I am not nervous,
but I feel tho same curious sensation ot sad
ness and foreboding. It Is stupid of mo, I
know, when wo should bo happy Christmas
and your wedding both coming. Yot 'I
know not what has happened that I should
bo so sad."
"I know what Is going to happen." cried
Katoy. "You'ro going to havo a tumbler of
mulled port and go straight to bed. Soe, It's
late, and Maggie went to bed long ago,"
Shortly afterward .Dolly klssod the girl
good night on her pillow, and went to her
own room.
With soundless lips tho snowflakcs kl&3cd
the earth, and kissed tho sea, dying on the
kiss. It was cold on tho beach. Nemo nt tbo
villagers wero abroad that bitter Christmas
ove, but from somo of tho cottages came
voices of morrlmcnt, and In tho llttlo lonely
church at tho far end scrvlco was being!
performed, the midnight sorviee. Tho tiny
organ piped its best and tbo fisher folk sang
and prayed of forgiveness of sin, and peace
and good will on earth to all men.
To all men? Could thero ever bo forgive
ness for such as these, creeping over the
snow in the shadows of trres and fences?
Could there be such a thing as peaco and
good will In the hearts of men llko these,
cursing the cold, cursing their "luck," curs
Ing their fellowmen?
They crept softly on with tho velvot feet
of wildcats. It was nlmost midnight now
and they wero closo to the Inn. A light yot
shone from a window In the top of tho
bouse.
"Confound It!" muttered Holloway, "who
Is awake so late? I can't wait much longe
or I'll bo frozen to death. Let's try It right
- 'away."
i The other shrugged his shoulters, and soon
f THE STANDARD OF CHAMPAGNE QUALITY M
j POMMERY. lT
In clubs, hotels, nnd rostnurnnts, If you
r ordor POMMERY, you not, nt tho samo price r
T par bottlo. n cliampngno which Is sold at I
M wholosnlontnoonsldornbly hlahor flguro.
"FORBID A FOOL A THING AND THAT HE
WILL DO." DON'T USEJ
they wero beneath tho wlnCows, creeping
about, feeling their way.
"O, rot!" eald Holloway ngnln: "we'd bet
tor smash In nt once. You said there wen
only threo women. I wonder what they nre.
anyhow. You're dead sure there's money
"The fisherman who talke nitieho pay
plenty."
"Didn't hear their names, did you?"
"No needa names."
"True enough. If n ran only rai-o
enough here we'll bo far on our way west
by morning. It's a chance, but there's noth
ing else to do. Como on this Is n pantry
window, I guess."
"Sh-sk! What's that?"
There camo from vlllagewnrd a crunch
ing of hnsty stumbling feet tin tho road.
"A drunken fisherman," said Holloway,
"Walt!"
"I've waited long enough. Do you want
to freeze to death? Come on,"
For an Instant thero wns silence. Then
a window glass fell In fragments on tho
snow. Hollowny passed Into tho Inn. Tho
approaching feet sounded more loudly nnd
nearly. Ono volco hailed another.
"Walt!" called tho Cuban. "Come back."
"Como back bo blowed!" a llcrco volco
snarled from within. "I tiil you It's a drunk
fisher" '
IIo Interrupted his own words hy giving
a horrible, yell, as, on the Instant, a pistol
cracked Inside tho house. Tho Cuban fled.
A moment later old Ted Guest nnd David
Copeland thundered at tho door Ted wlih
cut and bleeding head and raging eyes. Tho
door was opened, and t,he captain ran straight
Into Dolly Holloway, who carried a pistol.
"Aro you hurt?" ho cried.
"No, no," she answered, trembling, but
firm. "I could not sleep, and heard a noise
nt tho pantry window. I have to prote.-t
Katcy and Maggie, you know, and sleep
with a pistol. 1 think I'm afraid I hurt the
burglar."
Guest rushed on nnd found htm prostrate,
tho man who had so strangely been thrown
by fato at hla wifo's dior, at the Inn on tho
beach. Dolly followed, hut Guest met her
before sho saw nnd led her hack.
"Don't look, please," ho iald.
"Do you know who It is?"
"Yes," said Guest softly.
Why do 3011 look so? Oh, have
killed him? la he dead?"
"Yes, dear, he is dead!"
Dolly was sobbing now, nnd shaking.
"It was for Katcy's sake," sho cried.
hysterically. "I had to protect her. Poor
man! Oh, tho poor man! But. Ted, It was
my duty, say It was my duty!"
"Yts, dear, yes," said tho skipper, tenderly.
It was your duty."
The wedding, that was to have been si
merry, between JaeK iienumoiu anu ivaicy
Iolloway, had to bo postponed, for the laml-
ady of tho Inn wns very sick after hor
adventure with her burglars. When sh
was better sho Insisted upon the young
sters boing married at once, wnen tne
skipper, who had been merely stunned and
a llttlo cut by the pistol blow, gavo away
his old sweetheart's daughter. When tho
lovers got back from their honeymoon thoy
found an amazing thing had happened. Dolly
HoIIoway's hair was almcbt white, and slio
was married to Ted Guest. What hart passed
between them neither said, but wo may draw
our own conclusions. No word has passed
tho lips of cither to say how tho skipper
ever told Mrs. Holloway whom it was that
sho shot on that Christmas ove when
burglars broko Into tho Inn on t'.e beach.
Thero has been a very tirisk demand for
tho two famous pictures which nre offered
to Bee subscribers. We thought wo should
bo ablo to supply an unlimited demand, but
would suggest that It might ho well to call
soon If you want pictures.
riiNtlni7 flic IllKlililiHlerx,
SAN FP.ANCISCO. Starch 21.-The nr.ll,.o
havo mado a raid on the Chinese Irish
binders and nm-sted six of the most notori
ous members of the Hueh Hlnsr tong. Kach
of the men In custody Is acruHcd of at
least ono murder and several are euspeeteit
of having assassinated two or more mem
bers of rival tongs. The supposed leader of
t.ie gang is hu ho .miiii, who is ciiartred
with lour murders, lie roiielud for lii
revolver when the olllccra utteni'ited to
arrest him, but was quickly disarmed
Other arrests will follow nnd efforts will bo
made to convict the 'hluhhliulf m of R.nnn
of tho crimes charged against t.iem, though
trio police aumii inai evidence win De hard
to secure.
Ailviineen I lie I'rlee of Coal.
CLBVKLiAND. March 21.-As a n-sult nt
tho recent Increnso In wanes urantnl tin.
Masslllnn inlneis tho Mnslllon IJislrJet Coal
uperaiors association huh decided to
raise tho price of coal 23 cents ner tun
The Increase In tho wages of the miner, It
is Hiaiuu. amounted iu per cent. The
advance In the prlco of coal Is to tnko
effect April I.
for Infants and Children.
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