Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-06-12

Wihkie mas told me thing or two.
intended to report it to father if you
had not changed your tactics. Suppose
you had let your silly romanticism run
on, how would you have felt now?"
This sort of goading was maddening.
Evelyn turned upon the offender. 81
don't see how could be more miserable
than I am" she said, with sharp frank
ness of voice and look.
The elder girl grasped the speakers
arm and her bony fingers frightened on
it. Evelyn" she said, raspingly, you
are not in love with that MANI"
more deeply, Caroline, than you will
ever love-or ever could love anybody
with that stony heart of yours. Yes, I
love him! If it would give him one mo-
ment's relief, I'd go to his cell tonight
and share his sufferings.''
Evelyn Hasbrooke!" Caroline stood
like a figure of stone. "You cannot
mean it,"
But Evelyn simply sank into chair
in the semi-darkness of the room. Her
sisters voice sounded as if it came from
a great distance.
II shall not tell father" Caroline was
saying. ut would humble him to the
dust. It would simply break his heart"
She paused. The plantation bell rang
for the last time. 1t was signal for all
loiterers in the fields to come into the
quarter, a custom which had been kept
alive since the days of slavery. The elder
sister drew up chair and sat down
near Evelyn.
Tell me how it came about" she
said.
For moment Evelyn seemed drawn
out of stupor of gloomy reflections.
HE had threatened to kill Ronald, .
she began-"to kin him on sight-and
Ronald's brother gave him "a"
"Oh, ! mean how did you ever hap
pen to fall in love with such creature
as he ISL" broke IN Miss Hasbreoke, al
most angrily. How can you admit
such q thing, when you remember who
and what the Hasbrookes are?',s ,i...
II have never thought of them as be-
ing gods, nor even angels" Evelyn
blurted out, and then she laid affirm, de-
termined hand on her sisters arm. 81
must beg you, Caroline, to leave me
alone this evening. I cannot bear to
hear you run him down for what he
cannot help. Please go!"
Caroline drew herself up from her
chair and moved to the door with step
full OF dire prophecy. 81 shall not tell
father" she repeated. mo, I shall not
tell him"
"But I SHALL" answered Evelyn. 81
am helpless to aid the man love-the
man I'd die for willingly, but shall
not conceal the truth from a sinple
soul. At least I can do that much. I
can be true to him. I shall not DENY
him"
Caroline leaned on the swinging door,
her cold, vindictive face rested on her
arm. 1t was on the tip of her tongue
to make an angry retort, but she evil
IDENTITY thought dumb silence on her
part would be more crushing, so with a
look of forced incredulity on her face
she turned away. II shall not tell IA
ther," came like belated echo from
the hall. II shall not be the one to
break his heart"
The colonel had come in from tire
some ride across his domain and sat in
his study looking over some legal pa
pers. The soft light of a German stu
dent lamp brought his fine face out
strongly and clearly from the darkness
round him. He had spread the papers
on the top of his mahogany desk.
Only the day before he had insured his
life for another large amount, and he
was thinking Of making will which
would divide his property equally be-
tween his two daughters One of the
servants approached with a card.
Tell Capt. Winkle," said he, as he
glanced at the card, "that I cannot see
him tonight, unless it is something Of
importance"
lie said 1T was very important, subj"
The old man fumbled his papers with
nervous fingers.
1T has come at last" was the thought
in his mind; "but she shall not be CO.
creed. shall never ask child of mine
to marry against her inclinations, and
AVelyn mas acted strangely in regard to
him.
"Well, send him in here, Nebo, and
then see that we are not disturbed"
Col. Hasbrooke opened the door Of
big iron safe and thrust into it his pa
pers. He remained standing, his eyes
on the door. Capt. Wrinkle wore riding
boots and held his gloves and whip in
his hands as he entered.
II dropped in only for minute, colo
mel" That was his greeting, but it
was cold one, unlike the young Off
GERS usual suavity. Indeed, his tone
seemed almost to carry menace. The
colonel's perception was keen. and he
fell to wondering and drawing hasty de-
ductions.
"You are always welcome at Carn-
leigh, Capt. Wrinkle. Nebo, take the cap
tain n, things. What will you drink,
StA Z