Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-05-29
CHAPTER II.

About week after this he heard
| that she was home again to remain,
her school days being over. His in
| tormant also told him that Carnl.irh
was to have visitors - Mr.. James
Hardy, a cotton merchant of Charles
ton, who was supposed to be sutton
for the hand of the colonel's eldest
daughter, Caroline. and Capt. Charles
Wrinkle, who owned a. fine plantation
five miles beyond the mountain and
was believed to be an admirer of the
young Gebutante.
Ronald was longing to see Evelyn
again, but he met the two sisters and
their escorts sooner than he desired.
lie had taken his books and fishing
tackle to q shady nook on the river
bank and was just getting settled
when he heard merry laughter in the
wood between the river and the road
ard moment later the two couples
emerged from the tanglc of cane, vines
and foliage. Instinctivcly Ronald drew
his wide-brimmed straw hat down over
his eyes, and Evelyn did not recog-
solved that he should never speak to
her again unless she showed dispo-
fition to renew their informal ac-
quaintance, and he was averse to put
ting her to the test before the 9TH
ers. Blu. Capt. Wrinkle knew by sight
Che did not bother himself with their
names) nearly all of what he jocularly
termed "the white trash" of that Sec
ton. and he usually addressed them
without ceremony or courtesy. For n
moment he paused watching Ronald's
line, and then he asked:
Are they biting, my man."
Ronald felt the hot blood of anger
rush to his face and his fingers tight
ened on his rod. 1t was on his tongue
to retort sharply, but Evelyn's pres
ence helped him control his temper.
He made no reply. Capt. Wrinkle curled
his mustache with his white fingers;
he thought the fisherman had not heard
his question.
Il see you have some bait, my good
fellow, he said in louder tone. Twill
you let me have some of your crickets !?
the boy has not come with ours" and
the captain tossed silver coin on the
grass near Ronald. There was pause.
Ronald was conscious that Evelyn and
Mr.. Hardy had moved on and that Miss
Caroline was waiting for Wrinkle. Then
our hero picked up the piece of silver
and tossed it into the stream, at the
same moment he dotted his hat and
lifted his bnsket of crickets.
"You are welcome to them" he snid.
II should hate to see ladies lose their
sport"
"Oh, no, Capt. Winkle!" objected Miss
Caroline, do not mind them; we are
very much obliged, 1 hear the boy COM
Ing now"
AS she turned away and the captain
was following her he looked back and
said with sneer:
II think, Miss Hasbrookc, that we'd
better go further down the stream;
he'll be diving for that money and will
brighten all the fish,"
Ronald's ear had never been so acute;
he heard Caroline Hasbrooke's low,
guarded voice above the rustling of the
leaves against her stiff duck skirt.
"You ought not to have noticed him."
she said; that's one of old man Fan
shaw's sons; he has taken up the study
of law, and 1t seems to have given him
the big head"
"You don't tell me-" laughed the cap
tain, "haw, haw!"
Then the negro boy, carrying u bas-
ket Of crickets, passed at the top of his
speed. Ronald bai1cd his hook and
flung the line into the stream; his
hands were quivering; he was almost
beside himself with rage. The drone
of voices told him that the fishing party
had paused about forty yards away. The
reflection of the sunlight on the face
of the water was maddening. This,
then, was his long dreamed of meeting
with Evelyn; she would hear her sis
ter's account of what had taken place
after she had moved on. Half mn hour
passed; fish nibbed at his bait, taking
his line round in circle, but he did
not notice it. Suddenly there was a
light step on the grass near him. 1t was
Evelyn Hasbrooke and she came 10 him
Win Danu OutStfetcneu.
You must pardon me, Mr.. Fanshaw,"
she faltered. II did not recognize you
under that big hat. did not know 1t
was you till sister mentioned It Just
now"
He stood up. dropping his hat on the
ground.
II really did not presume that you
would care TOTO renew our slight ac-
quaintance," he stammered, red in the
face.
A panied expression passed over her
beautiful features.
II can't remember anything l have
done to make you think so Ill Of me.
Mr.. Fanshaw."
She seated herself on the root of
tree and opened the novel she held in
her hands. He found himself unable TO
formulate a suitable reply and he drew
In his line and put another cricket
on his hook.
II am afraid" she said, searching his
face, that Capt. Wrinkle offended you
just now. am sorry that guest Of
our house should fail to treat anyone
you especially-with due courtesy, and
I am glad you rebuked him MS you did,"
'You are very kind. Miss Has
brooke"
my sister is Miss Hasbrooke," she
said, with little laugh. II am still
little Evelyn, even If have laid my
school books away"