Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-05-16

] ~ zL
WHAT DAMNABLE NONSENSE Is
THIS?" HE THUNDERED.
her here for only minute. But, hold,
has she returned from her drive?"
eyes sub; DIES minute TO- you got
back, subj"
The colonel swept triumphant
glance at Wrinkle, and then concluded
his command to the servant.
"Ask her to come down."
81 trust" said the captain, when the
man had withdrawn, shat you will par
don my fear that-that the couple real
ly had the intention of clipping; but,
seeing them together at such time, !
was naturally disposed to wonder what
could have caused such o meeting; and
few minutes later, when I came
across the dead man, and learned that
Fanshaw had killed him, it was natur-
al that should think"
"You shall be convinced, sir" burst
from Hasbrooke's lips, shat you have
had an attack of blindness that is dan
gerous to the reputation Of honorable
women!"
81 shall not dispute with you,
colonel" said Wrinkle, in conciliatory
tone; "but passed us near them as
am to you now. shall leave it to her.
She will not deny my statement"
The old officer shrugged his shout
ders in stern unbelief, and five minutes
of sullen silence bore down on the two
men. 1t was lifted by the approach OF
Evelyn. Both men were on their feet
as she entered the room. Capt. Wrinkle
bowed low, but no word of greeting
passed his lips. Her father placed a
chair for her, but she .ignitied her de-
sire to stand. Her lip curled with dis
dain as her eyes fell on Wrinkles face,
and then she gave her undivided at
tention to her father.
"You are to decide point between
Capt. Wrinkle and myself" began the
old man, as he released her hands,
which he had taken to lead her to the
chair. HE is sure he saw you in the
cart with Fanshaw, driving away from
the scene of the tragedy. I, OF course,
firmly denied It,"
Evelyn held her head high, her arms
tightly folded; she seemed to have
stopped breathing.
Capt. Wrinkle is quite right" she an
swered, in low, tense tone.
The colonel reeled as II he were
dizzy. For the ensuing moment there
was no other sound in the room save
his labored breathing. Suddenly he
steadied himself before her, his eye.
expanded.
"Are you crazy, my child?" he blurt
ed out.
"Almost!" Evelyn laughed harshly
1.-THE only man ever loved as wome1
love once in their lives is facing tn,
most horrible crisis Of his existence.
happened to meet him on his way Il
give himself up to the sheriff, and, as
love him and wanted to be with him q
much as possible, to comfort him, an,
assure him of my fidelity, insisted o,
driving him 10 Ratciff's. He begge,
me not to insist on it, but would hav
1t so. If you cast me off million time
shall have all the more heart to be
stow on him-the more pity in his sor
row!"
The old soldier seemed to wither nk
plant under fierce heat; his hand
hung Imply at his sides for moment
and then he drew himself up as erect a
If he were on parade and faced his Wis
itor.
"You have rendered me valuabl
service, Capt. Winkle," he said distant
ly, land I hope some day to be able t
show better appreciation for it,"
| He moved backward to the bell
pull, his eyes studiously avoiding thos
of his child.
capt. Wrinkles horse!" he called GU
to the servant. His words rang hk
pieces of falling metal.
\ When Wrinkle had gone, Hasbrook
stood for moment eying his daughte
sorrowfully, then he sank into his bill
revolving chair and lowered his hea,
to the desk. Evelyn looked down OF
him pltyingly, and then she stepped t.
him and laid cold white hand on hi
head.
Father" her voice cut sharply int,
the silence. II love you as fondly u
any daughter ever loved father, bu
as sure as God is in Heaven that Low
will die-you will kill 1t If you turf
against me in my first hour Of actua
woe! I am suffering for the man Low,
as never fancied even lost soul coul,
suffer, and yet you have no pity TO
me. You demanded in your daugh
ter, but 1 tell you demand more in
father! God made me love Ronald Fan
shaw; He did 1t by opening my eyes t,
his greatness Of mind and character
will not allow you to insult him b,
your tears" her voice rose to sharI
command and she stamped her small
foot. II will not, I say!"
The white head was raised. The oil,
mans eyes CLEANED with the fires O
despair; but as they rested on the calm
undaunted face of his bestowed chill,
their glance wavered.
do you mean that, Evelyn-m,
God-are you in earnest?"
| Thoroughly in earnest, father; yo,
have often told me about the strength
of the Carnleigh women in their love
Would the Carnleigh you welded hav
allowed her father to weep because o
her love for your"
The colonel stretched out two trem
bling hands and took hers In his grasp
you are right, my daughter, in
way"-he kissed her lightly on tn
brow-"but I am right, too. Pardo,
me if have been impolite; you and
have never had disagreement before
but I can see farther than youth,
light of calm reason is stronger tha1
the flare of infatuation. Now 20 I,
bed, and let me think; ali, let me think!
Without word she moved away. A
the door she turned and looked back
He stood where she had left him, hi
arms folded as if in death. SIT is awful
My God, it is awful" she heard hin
muttering.
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