Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-05-23

70 feel heavy again. No sooner was he
assured of freedom than dire thoughts
of Evelyn came flocking to his wearied
brain. He was free, 1t was true, but
she had, no doubt, brought her fathers
wrath down upon her head. He stood
at window watching the sunlight
climb up the side of u rugged cliff mile
toward the east. He heard the shrill
voice of Ann Josephine out near the
corn house.
ooh, NAL" she was calling, "Ron's
come cleer-Ron's come cleer!"
Our hero could see his mothers re-
tund figure as she emerged from the
corn house and waddled towards the
hog-pen, her apron filled with apples.
''Ain't you jokin', JOSEF" she asked,
and her son wondered at her express
sionless face.
"No, the sheriff has jest now fetched
i'm home"
swell, feel easier" sighed the old
woman. "I'm glad thar amt goin'
to be no hangin' 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, 1 have
looked for yore pa or one O. the boys,
to-"
Ronald turned from the window; his
heart was very heavy. He was thinking
of Evelyn again, and the gulf between
him and her. All, how he loved her!
He 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 I to allow her
first to pity, then to love me, when
I have nothing to offer-nothing, abso-
lutely nothing, and she everything to
give2"
The colonel reached home later than
Ronald. Night was beginning to fall,
and the big lamp at the top of the car
riage-drive threw its rays far down
the tree-bordered avenue as he drove
through the big wrought-iron gate. The
lamps in the hall and drawing-room,
under their vari-colored shades, cast a
beautiful glow on the veranda. AS he
entered the hall he fancied he saw
Evelyn fit out at the door at the end,
which opened into the conservatory.
He was assured of this when he had
gone into the library, where there was
no other light than was made by the
huge wood fire, which famed and
cracked on the brazen dog-irons, for
she came from the conservatory by an
other door, bringing his smoking jack
ct and slippers; he knew that she had
had them ready, for she had not had
time to go to his room for them. His
heart sorely smote him as he kissed her
white face and noted the dark hollows
derhereyes-eyes which absorbedth
red freight like diamonds. At any rate
he had good news for her, but the
thought pierced him like a dagger tc
think of it as such. Despite himself, q
frown gathered on his brow. She
misunderstood it, and he saw her catch
her breath as she held his coat for him
Neither of them spoke, though
when she had knelt at his feet
and her white tapering fingers trem
bled over their task of unlacine
his shoes he felt an almost uncon
trollable impulse to snatch hel
to his breast and sob out the awful re
bellion within him. When she hat
taken off his shoes she smoothed gu
the wrinkles in his stockings and pu
on his slippers, finishing her task will
u little sad pat as she rose to hev feet
"Ah, you vixen," he said, tremulous
ly-"Evelyn, you are my baby!" Il
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 childl"
The tears sprang into her eyes, din
she turned away quickly to tabl
where she had put O. cigar and mate
for him.
II have rolled it and cut the end.
There was u catch in her voice as sh
, scratched the match and held it to tn
cigar.
"Thank you, baby" he said, as
pulled.
For moment she stood searching b
face and then, as he did not speak, sh
said:
81 have waited as long as can, pap
1t seems to me that shall die if I d
not know the news. Is there an
hope2"
He pushed out his knee and drew hi
down on it. He felt. that her body WE
rigid with expectancy.
Evelyn, you are my most helplei
: child. I must do my duty towards yo
, in spite of what you feel to be right"
: She slid her arm round his neck, b,
he knew that it did not clasp him wit
e her usual tenderness.