The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-06-29
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
II was about six o'clock that after
coon when the sheriff put Ronald down
81 home. Dave had ridden close be-
hind the buggy all the way. Now and
chen. when passing some acquaintance
on the road or in a distant field, he
would wave his slouched hat and give
a ven that would have done credit 10
the lungs Of a savage. When they ar
rived AT home be fastened the bride
reins 10 a post and sprang over the
fence into the yard. Old Fanshaw sat
nO6ding, half asleep, on the porch in a
spot where the last rays Of the slant
ing sunlight were falling; he was well
wrapped up in a ragged greatcoat and
wore a cap, the flaps Of which COW
fred his ears.
IRONS come cleeri" Dave shouted 10
aim, and seeing his sister Al the small
PANIED window, he yelled the same words
70 her.
Il know better" grunted Fanshaw,
who, being shOrt-sighted, had not noted
:be arrival Of the buggy. Come cleer
the DEVIL"
"Well, thar he is out thar with Rat
elf" Dave assured him. AK the sher-
III. If you think I'm a-lyin'."
With a hand on either side of his
chair, the old man got 10 his feet. His
legs shook at the knees, and he put his
hand Oh the railing. Then he saw Ron
ala approaching, and he stood still, his
festures working strangely.
whats this / heer?' be stammered,
his few remaining teeth showing be-
tween his tObaccO-stained lips.
+'It was proved that he killed himself
accidentally with his own revolver"
our hero Informed him.
Huh, il is jest some lawyers tricki"
growled the man, who had not felt
enough interest in the matter 10 attend
the trial, and he tottered down the
steps calling in 4 sort of human bark
10 Ratcliff, who was driving away. He
was bent on getting a confirmation Of
the story from some one outside Of his
family.
Ronald passed into the house and
went up 10 his room. His heart, de-
spite his recent triumph, was beginning
tO-feel heavy again. No sooner was he
assured Of freedom than dire thoughts
IF Evelyn came lOcking 10 his wearied
brain. He was free, il was true. but
she had. 10 doubt, brought her fathers
wrath down upon her head. He stood
al a window watching the sunlight
climb up the side of a rugged cliff a mile
toward the east. He heard the shrill
voice Of Ann Josephine out near the
corn house.
~Oh. ma" she was calling. "Ron's
come clecr-Ron's come cleeri"
Our hero could see his nOther's ro-
tund figure as she emerged from the
corn house and waddled towards the
hog-pen, her apron filled with apples.
-Ain't you jokin', Josie?'' she asked,
and her son wondered al her express
sionless face.
NO. the sheriff has jest now fetched
I'm home"
"Wen, / feel easier" sighed the old
woman. I'm glad thar amt goin'
20 be no hangiD' amongst Us. The Lord
knows we've had mighty nigh ever
thing else 10 happen 10 Us. Ever since
yore gran pa was put in Jail, have
looked for yOre pa or one o. the boys,
to"
Ronald turned from the window; his
heart was very heavy. He was thinking
II Evelyn again. and the gulf between
oim and her. Al. how he loved her,
lie crossed The room and stood at an
other window from which he could see
ihe roof Of Carnleigh.
4 am 20 blame he sighed. sadly TO
blame; what right had / 10 allow her
irst 10 pity. then 10 love me, when
have nothing TO ofFer-Eothing, abso-
Iutely nothisg, and she everything TO
yive?"
The colonel reached home later than
Ronald. Night was beginning 10 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 al the end.
-hich opened into the conservatory.
He was assured of this when he had
gone into the library, where there was
10 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 smolzing-jack-
a. and slippers; be knew that she had