Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-12-21

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them as you do" said the old lady, her
eyes still bent eagerly, searchinglV on
his face. "You have heard perhaps OF
the capture and confession of the real
criminal2"
He told her he had just received the
news.
"Then," she went on, "the boy will
be released, will he not?"
"Oh, at once, of cSurse!"
"Do you intend to see him before he
leaves?"
Ronald told her he was going to ride
to town and persuade the prisoner to
finish his journey by rail.
"Ah, am so glad, for that is what
I came to see you about. I have brought
him little gift; I understand his
mother is old and needy. I hope it will
not trouble you to deliver it to him."
ct shaA do it with great deal Of
pleasure" he told her.
AS she gave him the roll of bills
which she took from her purse her
eyes steadied themselves on his face.
''There is another thing, Mr.. Fan
shaw" she faltered. 81 hope you will
forgive me if am presuming, but since
I have heard how hard you are strug-
Cling to fit yourself for your chosen
profession I have been ashamed of my
self for the idle, aimless life am lead
ing. I have far more money than
can use, even if were young, and you
see am getting old. Ifyou would only
allow me to instruct my banker to-"
He understood what she intended to
say and the flush which had died out
Of his Handsome face returned.
ct is most kind of you," he inter-
rupted, land under some circumstances
I might be glad to avail myself of your
benevolence, but in my struggles have
found out that all the toll, all the saw
ing, all the deprivations have really
been best for me. Besides the worst
has passed. I find myself pretty sure
of admittance to the bar, and I have
really saved up enough to defray my
simple expenses for a, year or SO until
can get started"
Mrs. Lancaster looked crestfallen, but
she did not press her point.
''Then I can only hope and pray that
all success may come your way, and
perfect happiness" (she suddenly
thought of Evelyn and sighed).
He seemed to be reading her
expression took hold of his features.
The color ran out of his face.
81 have made up my mind," he said,
simply, "that I am never to have ideal
happiness-the sort of happiness that
comes to some fortunate people and
never to Others"
She was sure that he was abiding
pointedly to Evelyn, and she felt a
sharp tug at her heart-strings. Her
eyes seemed to melt on his face; he was
so like her dead husband, the sound
of his voice was sweeter than a lost
chord from some heavenly choir. She
stood up and, offering her hand, she
pressed his fingers tightly.
eff I had my way you should have
all your Desires she said, with a lit
tie catch in her voice; sail, every one
Of them, including the love of the
truest, purest girl that ever lived"
Then she saw his strength give way;
she felt his hand culver and grow
limp in her clasp; his face was working
under tense emotion.
81 do not allow myself to think of
that" he said, with sudden frmness.
THAT has been only a dream of mine.
a hopeless, vain dream, sent to teach me
how grimly real life is"
Tears sprang into Mrs. Lancaster's
eyes and she choked up.
"You must not lose hope" she al
most sobbed, as she wrung his hand
and then quickly released it.
He laughed bitterly. 81 never called
it hope at any time" he said. ''She
has only been my dream"
looking out into the yard where old
Fanshaw, in his united brogans, hick-
DRY shirt and jeans pants, was oiling
the axles of a wagon under an apple
tree. She overheard the low voices of
his two daughters on the porch and
Mrs. Fanshaw's heavy tread in the adj
joining sitting-room.
"Remember," said Mrs. Lancaster,
! "that you have a true friend over
there"
Thank you," he replied as she passed
out. He escorted her, hat in hand, to
the cart and assisted her to her seat.
Then, with q twitching lip, he stood
watching the cart as it rolled away.
Evelyn was in the garden gathering
flowers for the diningtahle when her
friend returned. She held her arms
full of them when the old lady ahght-
ed and came down the walk to her.
Evelyn studied her face in astonish-
ment.
sWhy, dear Mrs. Lancaster!" she ex-
claimed, ''you have been crying"
The old woman wiped her red eyes
and began to shed fresh tears.
'sHe is so like my husband" she said,
huskily. $50 noble; such a grand char
acter."
Evelyn's face lighted up. ST have al
ways known that, Mrs. Lancaster. Now