Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-29

ST am sorry he said, finally, eff any
features of mine bring up sad recol-
lections."
| Il am a. silly goose" the visitor
said. with a little laugh, which was not
quite her own. Il hope you received
the note 1 wrote you yesterday?"-
Ronald bowed. sit was the one thing
which sustained me-made me work
on to the end. / almost lost hope yes
terday afternoon. There was not a
man on my side, even the sheriff was
afraid to open his mouth. A dozen men
had threatened to kill me-
His auditor was bending towards
him, feasting on his features with wide
open eyes and hands tightly clasped in
her lap.
II was almost sorry I advised you
to try to save him, Mr.. Fanshaw, when
the climax was reached and realized
your own peril; but now that you have
triumphed am glad 1 wrote you-oh,
so glad For your work last night
has shown me what noble man you
are, and"
II think" he said, seeing that she
was not going to proceed, that the
usual haste in such matters is not due
to the evil natures of these people,
but to a certain inability to believe in
the innocence of a man accused as this
one was"
ut is certainly good of you to defend
them as you do" said the old lady, her
eyes still bent eagerly, searchingly on
his face. you have heard perhaps of
the capture and confession sof the real
criminal?"
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 counsel"
'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
Icame to see you about. I have brought
him little gift; I understand his
mother is old and needy. hope it will
not trouble you to deliver it to him. .
II shall do it with a great deal of
pleasure" he told her.
AS she gave him the roll of bills
which. she took from her purse rher
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
have heard how hard you are strug-
Cling to fit yourself for your chosen
profession ! have been ashamed of my
self for the idle. aimless life am lead
ing. 1 have far more money than /
can use, even if | were young, and you
see am getting old. If you would only
allow me to instruct my banker To-
4 He understood what she intended to
say and the flush which had died out
CT his handsome face returned.
ut is most kind of you," he inter
! rupted, land under some circumstances
l might be glad to avail myself of your
benevolence, but in my struggles have
found out that all the toll, all the saw
| ing, ali the deprivations have really
/ been best for me. Besides the worst
has passed. I find myself pretty sure
1 OF admittance to the bar, and / have
really saved up enough to defray my
simple expenses for a. year or so until
can get started
Mrs. Lancaster ookedcrestfallen, but
she did not press her point.
"Then l 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
thoughts, for he started and a grave
expression took hold of his features.
The color ran out of his face.
II have made up my mind,' he said,
simply, "that 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 lost
chord from some heavenly choir. She
stood up and, offering her hand, she
/ pressed his fingers tightly.
4. IF i had my way you should have
all your DESIRES" she said, with lit
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