Graham guardian., 1900-06-29
THE WORLD
AGAINST HIM.

hand on the railing. Then he saw Ron
aid approaching, and he stood still, his
features working strangely.
whats this l heer?" he stammered,
his few remaining teeth showing be-
tween his tobacco-stained lips.
at was proved that he killed himself
accidentally with his own revolver,
our hero informed him.
"Huh, il is jest some lawyers trick!"
growled the man, who had not felt
enough interest in the matter to attend
The trial, and he tottered down the
steps calling in sort of human bark
TO Ra,clff, who was driving away. He
was ben; on getting confirmation Of
the story from some one outside Of his
family.
Ronald passed into the house and
vent up TO his room. His heart, de-
spite his recent triumph, was beginning
10 feel heavy again. No sooner was he
assured Of freedom than dire thoughts
OF Evelyn came tlocking to his wearied
brain. He was free, It was true. but
she had, no doubt, brought her fathers
wrath down upon her head, He stood
al window watching the sunlight
climb up the side of a rugged cliff mile
toward the east. He heard the shrill
voice of Ann Josephine out near the
corn house.
"Oh, NAL" she was calling, "Ront
come cleer-Ron's come cleerl"
Our hero could see his mothers ro-
tund figure as she emerged from the
corn house and waddled towards the
: hog-pen, her apron filled with apples.
"Ain't you jokin', Josie2" she asked,
and her son wondered at her express
sionless face.
No, the sheriff has Jest now fetched
i'm home"
well. feel easier" sighed the old
woman. "I'm glad thar amt goin'
10 be no hangin' amongst us. The Lord
knows we've had mighty nigh ever
thing else to happen 10 us. Ever since
yore gran'pa was put in Jail, have
looked for yore pa or one o. the boys,
to-"
Ronald turned from the window; his
heart was very heavy. He was thinking
of Evelyn again, and the gulf between
him and her. All, how he loved her!
He crossed the room and stood at an
other window from which he could see
the roof of Carnleigh.
II am to blame" he sighed, "sadly to
blame; what right had to allow her
first TO pity, then to love me, when
| have nothing TO offer--nothing, abso-
lu,ely nothing, and she everything to
give?"
The colonel reached home later than
Ronald. Night was beginning to fall,
and the big lamp at the top of the car
riage-drive threw its rays far down
the tree-bordered avenue as he drove
through the big wrought-iron gate. The
lamps In the hall and drawing-room,
under their vari-colored shades, cast a
beautiful glow on the veranda. As he
entered the hall he fancied he saw
Evelyn fit out at the door at the end,
which opened into the conservatory.
He was assured of this when he had
gone into the library, where there was
no other light than was made by the
huge wood fire, which famed and
cracked on the brazen dog-irons, for
she came from the conservatory by an
other door, bringing his smoking-jack-
ct and slippers; he knew that she had
had them ready, for she had not had
time TO go to his room for them. His
heart sorely smote him as he kissed her
white face and noted the dark hollows
under rhereyes-syesw which absorbed the
red freight like diamonds. At any rate
he had good news for her, but the
thought pierced him like dagger TO
think Of II an sash. Despite himself. q
irown gathered on his brow. She
misunderstood it, and he saw her catch
ler breath as she held his coat for him.
Neither Of them spoke. though
shen she had knelt at his feet
aud her white tapering fingers trem-
bled over their task Of unlacing
his shoes he felt an almost uncon-
trollable impulse to snatch her
TO his breast and sob out the awful re.
bellion within him. When she had
taken of his shoes she smoothed out
the wrinkles in his stockings and put
on his slippers, finishing her task with
: little sad pat as she rose to her feet.
"Ah, you yixen." he said, tremulous.
ly--"Evelyn, you are my baby!" He
looked towards the door. II have al.
ways given you more Of my heart than
have TO your sister, perhaps because
you have given me more Of yours, poor
dear ehildl"
The tears sprang into her eyes, end
she turned away quickly to a table
where she had put cigar and q match
for bin.
II have rolled it and cut the end"
There was catch in her voice as she
scratched the match and held IL TO thu
cigar.
THANK you, baby" he said, ss hy
pulled.
For q moment she stood searching his
face and then, as he did not speak, nhs
said:
II have waited as longas can, pap4.
It seems to me that ] shall die il I d.