Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-06-26

OF speech in favor of secession that
my husband made, just before the
war broke out. There seemed to be
ring in Mr.. Fanshaw's tones like my
husbands. 1t may have been only
my imagination, and the great dis
lance, but 1t drove me nearly wild
with the old pain. And last night
in thinking of Mr.. Fanshaw's danger,
it seemed to be my husband who was
in peril. Really, I did not sleep a
wink. went to- the window hun
dred times. l saw Mr.. Fanshaw re-
turning this morning, and then drew
my first easy breath. Oh, Evelyn!"
Mrs. Lancaster was gazing into the
girls eyes) what is the matter with
both of us?"
Evelyn shook her head, her rich,
abundant hair glistening like threads
of FURNISHED gold in the sun.
II know what's the matter with me-"
she said, with n little laugh. II hope
something else is wrong with YOU"
Mrs. Lancaster sighed. when I get
back from his house may tell you
what l am going for, but I shall not
now-no, l shall not now"
Mrs. Lancaster had several times
taken short drives in the pony cart,
which was always at the disposal of
the guests of Carnleigh, and so, when
she ordered it out at ten o'clock, no
one made any comment. AS she
drove up near the dilapidated domi-
cile of the Fanshaws she began to
shrink from her intentions. The place
certainly presented a torn-down, for
bidding aspect. In front, not twenty
yards from the porch, was n decaying
rail fence and q gate that sagged to
the earth. The roof of the porch was
low and fiat, dank and moss-grown,
and on 1t lay some pieces of ragged
cast-off clothing on which two or three
cats lay sleeping in the sun. The two
sisters half lay, half sat on the porch,
and Mrs. Fanshaw stood in the front
doorway, her dull gaze on the cart
and its inmate. The dogs sprang
from under the house and ran bark
ing furiously to the gate, and Mrs.
Fanshaw, thinking that the lady had
stopped to ask some question about
the road, as passers-by often did,
shambled down the steps and out to
the cart. She succeeded in driving the
dogs back, and then leaned over the
gate expectantly.
Il called to see Mr.. Ronald Fan
shaw" announced the visitor; "is he at
hcme?"
YES, ma'am," answered Mrs. Fan
shaw; "he was up in his room Jest
now. Won't you light an come in?"
The room into which the aristo-
cratic caller was ushered had a worn
scrap of carpet from the door to the
big, socty tireplaces There were on
the walls several warped chromos and
crudely enlarged crayon portraits of
Fanshaw and his wife, also photo
graphs of every member of the fam
lily except Ronald, who had never
cared to have his picture taken. Mrs.
Fnnshaw gave the visitor turkey
wing fan, and brought in some fresh
wnter. Mrs. Lancaster was slipping
1t from the edge OF the big cracked
tumbler when Ronald came down the
narrow creaking stairs and entered
the room.
You may not know who | am"
began Mrs. Lancaster, rs he stood
waiting for her to resume her chair,
after she had risen and given him her
hand
you may rest assured, madam, that
everybody in this ncighborhood knows
you, at least by sight. The poor and
needy have good cause for remember
ing YOU"
She started at the sound of his
voice ard stared at him for fully a
minute; her eyes were expanded in
surprise, and she seemed unable To- re-
ply to his compliment. She put her
handkerchief to her quivering lips,
and when she finally spoke 1t was with
a visible effort at sclf-control.
II hope you will pardon me-" she
faltered, but your voice Is SO like
that of dear one who was taken
from me long time agony hus-
band, who met tragic death dur
ing the war Last night when |
heard YOU speaking in the distance
was reminded of him, and now-oh!
it is very silly of me, but--you emit
imagine how much your voice re-
sembles his. and" 1.-THE speaker swal-
lowed something which seemed to
stick in her throat) then your hair,
md eyes, and hands remind me of his
$3.50 very much
Ronald had flushed red, and seemed
Mt loss how to proceed.
Il am sorry" he said, finally, IF any
features of mine bring up sad recol-
lections"
II am a silly goose" the visitor
said, with little laugh, which was not
quite her own. II hope you received
the note wrote you yesterday?'
Ronald bowed. III was the one thing
which sustained me-made me work
on to the end. ] almost lost hope yes
terday afternoon. There MAS not
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 cIasped in
her lap.
Il was almost sorry advised you
TO try TO save him. Mr.. Fanshaw. when
the climax was reached and realized
yonr own peril: but now that you have
] am glad wrote you-oh.
20 gladl For your work last night
has shown me what noble man you
ire, and
i think" he said, seeing that she
vas not going To nroceed athat The