Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-06-13

her, "and I thank God for allowing me
to find it out before my death. have
loved you in strange, unaccountable
way ever since 1 met you. When I
heard you We're i'll prison it almost
drove me wild. Evelyn wrote me
about your arrest, and then it was
week before l learned of your re-
lease. My name is Elizabeth; l gave
your father that silver tobacco-boX;
and, moreover, lost you exactly where
you were taken during the war. I
am SO happy! lam actually afraid my
joy will kill me-"
She began to crv silently. and in his
ueslre TO COMFORT ner he found NM
self claspirg her hand and stroking
back the white hair from her brow.
"And am glad you are my mother"
he said, simply. "You have been my
ideal woman ever since that day you
came to see me-"
They sat together for an hour, maxi
ing plans for the future.
Evelyn and I are going to spend
next year abroad" she told him, land
you are going with us. Col. Hasbroeke
says he is too old for the journey and
we shall need a man."
His face clouded for the first time
during the interview.
"But Col. Hasbrooke-"
"Hc is simply wild to call you som
in-law," Mrs. Lancaster broke in, with
a laugh. 'Evelyn has been almost
dead with sorrow since he separated
you. really believe he was coming
round anyway. Yesterday he said a
great deal about your nobility of char
acter and talent. He always listens to
me, and told him there was nothing
to be done but to let you have her.
But that reminds me; she is waiting
to see you. Poor, dear child! I never
was so selfish-so thoughtless. I'm
going to send her to you"
She rose and he nervously held her
hands, fixed look on his face.
"Are you sure" he faltered, shat ]
have the right to?"
His mother drew herself up to her
| full height. "You are Lancaster"
she said, proudly.
When she had passed through the
heavy curtains obscuring q room in
the rear, he sat for several minutes
fairly dazed by what had taken place,
His reverie was disturbed by the com.
ing of Evelyn. A flush was on her
slightly attenuated face, and her eyes
were red and sparkled as if she had
been crying, but she came to him with
firm, confident step, and put both
her hands in his.
at is all SO wonderful" she said,
simply. 81 am actually too choked ul
to speak. I've been laughing, crying
and doubling the truth of it by turns
ever since Mr.. Redding went away"
ut seems like dream to me-" hi
made answer. II am afraid I shall
wake and find myself back in my little
room over there on the farm"
"Mrs. Lancaster told me just now,
said Evelyn, that she had forgotten
to tell you your given name. Sh,
asked me to inform you, but hat,
to pronounce it. l shall never cal
you anything but Ronald. Will tina;
suit you, sir?"
They were seated side by side OF
the sofa.
II shall never want you to call M
anything else" he smiled; "but mus
own up to little curiosity as to wha
I am legally entitled to-"
"Cha1les Erskine," answered Evelyn
MRS. Lancaster was Miss Erskine
How do you like it?"
ITS not bad," he laughed; "per
haps may grow up to it in time"
Just then Hasbrooke looked in a
the door and limped towards them, q,
almost boyish look of embarrassment
on his face.
II am going to beg your forgiveness
for what said the last time you wer
here" he said.
Il did not blame you, Col. Has
brooke" was the reply.
"But I blame you," Evelyn turne
on Ronald, suddenly. "If 1 had know
your stupid reasons for giving me u
l should never have consented-never
, l thought it was because-because yo
! thought me too great responsible
/ ity, and a burden"
"Well, settle it between you" smile
her father. And when he had quite
| the room they did.
THE END.