The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-07-06

legs shook at the Knees, and he put MS
hand on the railing. Then he saw Ron
aid approaching, and he stood still, his
features working strangely.
"What's this l heer?" he stammered,
his few remaining teeth showing be-
tween his tobacco-stained lips.
ut was proved that he killed himself
accidentally with his own revolver"
our hero informed him.
"Huh, il is jest some lawyers trick! y
growled the man, who had not felt
enough interest in the matter to attend
the trial. and he tottered down the
steps calling in a sort of human bark
to Ratclif, who was driving away. He
was bent on getting a confirmation OF
the story from some one outside Of his
family.
Ronald passed into the house and
went up TO his room. His heart, de-
spite his recent triumph was beginning
to feel heavy cc .a. 80 sooner was he
assured Of freeGC0 than dire thoughts
of Evelyn ear g. King TO his wearied
brain. He wa i",e il was true. but
she had. 10 der s. urht her fathers
wrath down NJ % her head T. stood
at a window watching tie rlight
climb up the side of a rugged eli, mile
toward the east. lie heard the shrili
voice OF Ann Josephine out near the
corn house.
"Oh. MAJ" she was calling, Ron,
come cleer-Rou's cure c.Cer!"
Our hero could see hi, mothers ro.
tuud figure Us she emerged from tho
corn house. and wudGled towards the
hog-pen her apron filed with apples.
"Aiu't You ioklu', Jos.e?' she asked.
and her son wondered at her expires
sionless face.
NO, the sheriff has jest now fetched
i'm home"
"Wel, l feel easier" sighed the old
woman. I'm glad thar amt Foir'
to be no hargin' amongst us. The LORD
knows we've had mighty nigh ever
thing else to happen to 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. lie was thinking
of Evelyn again, and the gulf between
him and her. All. how he loved her!
! lie crossed the room and stood at an
other window from which he could see
the roof OF Carnleigh.
81 am to blame" he sighed sadly to
blame; what right had TO allow her
first 10 pity then to love me, wher
| have nothing 10 oifer-uothiug, abso
lutely nothing, and she everything tc
give?"
The colonel reached home later thar
Ronald. Night was beginning to fall
and the big lamp at the top of the car
riage-drive threw its rays far dowr
the trce-borGercd avenue as he drove
through the big wrought-irou gate III,
lamps in the hail and drawiug-room
under their var-colored shades, cast
beautiful glow on the veranda. As h,
entered the hall he fantied he saw
Evelyn fit out at the door at the end
which opened into the conservatory
He was assured of this when he haC
gone into the library, where there wa
no other light than was made by tn
huge wood fire, which famed ant
cracked on the brazen dog-irons, 70
she came from the conservatory by an
other door, bringing his smoking acl.
ct and slippers; be knew that she ha
had them ready, for she had not hat
time to go to his room for them. I'LL
heart sorely smote him as he kissed he
white face and noted the dark hollow
underher eyes-eyes which described h,
red freight like diamonds. At any ratt
b had good news for her, but tn
thought pierced him Ike dagger I,
think of II as such. Despite himself,
frown gathered on his brow. Sh,
misunderstood it, and he saw her catcl
her breath as she held his coat for him
Neither of them spoke, though
when she had knelt at his fee
and her white tapering fingers trem
bled over their task of unlacinl
his shoes he felt an almost uncon
trollable impulse to snatch he
to his breast and sob out the awful re
bellion within him. When she hat
taken off his shoes she smoothed on
the wrinkles in his stockings and pu
on his slippers, finishing her task will
little sad pat as she rose to her feet
"Ah, you vixen" he said, tremulous
ly-"Evelyn, YOU are my baby!" II
looked towards the door. II have al
ways given you more of my heart tina,
have TO your sister, perhaps becaus
you have given me more Of yours, poo
dear child"
The tears sprang into her eyes, an
she turned away quickly to tabl
where she had put cigar and mate
for him.
i 81 have rolled it and cut the end.
There was catch in her voice as sh
scratched the match and held it TO tn
cigar.
THANK you, baby" he said, as h
pulled.
For a moment she stood searching b
face and then, as he did not speak, sh
! said:
: II have waited as long as can, pap
It seems TO me that Ahall die II d
| p