Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-04-18
DO you see him, Mrs. 1ancaster7

do you see him, Mrs. Lancaster?"
she questioned, almost under her
breath.
"Who is it, dear?" asked her COM
panion.
"Afr. Ronald Fanshaw." Evelyn
looked searchingly in the fair old
visage. Her voice had almost tri.
umphant ring. HE is trying to per-
suade them to do right"
"How do you know, dear?"
Evelyn repeated what lobe had said
and added:
Il want you to give your consent to
something"
"What is that, darling?"
..Come into the writing-room with
me. / am afraid you will object, and
yet so much may depend on it'll"
Mrs. Lancaster's face wore frown
of perplexity as she followed Evelyn
through the book-lined library into
little room adjoining. The girl sank
into chair at the table and took up
pen. She bit the end of it nervously
as she glanced up at her friend.
L VAIN 10 Seuu ullh lily "
word, saying that I approve of what
he is doing, and that l do not want
him to lose heart"
Mrs. Lancaster looked dubious as
she sat down at the table and leaned
her white head on her thin, blue-veined
hand.
81 don't think you ought to do IL
without your fathers consent" she
said, still looking down.
Evelyn sighed deeply.
| He'd never consent-never; he'd not
understand my motive as you do; he'd
be perfectly unreasonable, but do not
want you to oppose me-that is, don't
want to do anything without your con-
| sent.''
The woman addressed now gave Eve
Ign steady look.
Remember, l am your fathers guest.
/ know how you feel, and if l thought
it would be quite right would"
"You have no idea how little encon-
agement he gets" interrupted Evelyn,
impulsively. HE is the only one among
all those people who is trying to do
right"
| Mrs. Lancaster put her arm round
Evelyn's shoulders and gently took the
pen from her myers.
81 love you as if you were my own
child, Evelyn. You are too young and
inexperienced to see where all this is
leading. Oh, you must be careful! II
there were no barriers between you II
would not be so bad, but under the ex,
listing circumstances 1 should be very
culpable toto allow this. He is &
noble young man, and like him
can't explain why like him SO much
but do.'
With an impatient toss of her head
Evelyn waived all arguments.
eff an innocent man should be killed
today" she said, firmly, you will b.
sorry we did not do something toward:
averting his fate"
Mrs. Lancaster shrank back little
and then she became very thoughtful
Presently she suggested compromise
Suppose write to him over my owl
name; will that do?"
A light kindled in Evelyn's eyes.
Eyes, that will do; oh, I'm SO glad
hurry up!"
Mrs. Lancaster dipped her pen, drew
sheet of paper towards her and wrot
as follows:
God bless you and help you succeed
in your noble effort. Our prayers ar
with you.-Mrs. Lancaster"
Evelyn was reading over her shoulder
and when the writing was done sh
kissed Mrs. Lancaster on the cheek
For that one word" She chuckled.
what word do you mean?" asked he
companion.
IL Taking the pen, Evelyn underscore'
the word "our" and laughingly folde
r the paper.
= perhaps it ought not to go tina
, way" protested Mrs. Lancaster, bu
! Evelyn only continued to laugh slyl,
as she thrust the note into an envelop
and held it under the old lady's eyes.
"Ronald Fanshaw, Esquire" she dit
n tated, firmly, and with a sigh Mrs. Lar
I caster reluctantly complied.
b A moment later Evelyn had slippe
out into the negro quarter and Gale
/ lobe from his cabin.
v Take it to Mr.. Ronald Fanshaw," ST
il said, land do not say word about
to anyone. Mind, to no one-not
!, soul!"