Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-06-12

Wrinkle waved the servant away, and
stood watching him till he had gone,
then he leaned on the back of a chair.
Il called to see you in regard to your
daughter" he said. still coldly. "Ihope
you will pardon the informality of nv
visit, colonel"
Il must admit that suspected that
you might wish to speak of her-of
Evelyn" answered the old man. now.
treasured as to Wrinkles intentions.
Capt. Wrinkle started. It had flashed
upon him that he was being misunder-
stood. and yet there was logged
something in his eyes which seemed. to
say that little thing like a temporary
misunderstanding-even in so delicate
q matter-would amount to nothing as
an offset against the humiliation
Evelyn's conduct had brought him.
Hasty reflection on this line made him
unusually blunt of speech.
"Yes, want to talk to You about her.
but not in the way you perhaps an
ticipate, Col. Hasbrooke," said the cap
tain, almost patronizingly. II felt it
my duty us personal friend of yours
to come directly to you"
1T must be proposal, after ALL"
thought the old gentleman, whose face
was divesting itself of its look of per-
plexity, 1.-THE fellow is badly ratified. !"
He waved his hand towards the cap-
tain's chair and sat down himself.
Wrinkle took his seat aEd crossed his
tightly clad legs, his spurs jingling as
he moved.
That's right, Capt. Winkle," went
on the older man, that's always best;
like the old way-a father has the big
gest interest in daughter after all has
been said"
Wrinkles attention seemed not to
fasten to this last remark.
"May ask if Miss Evelyn is at
home?" he asked, introductively.
Hasbrooke could not restrain smile.
He told himself that he had never
dreamt that Wrinkle would be knocked
off his feet by such a formalit y, and yet
it showed that the fellow was hard hit,
and that was what he ought to be.
II don't know" replied he, but" he
added, 'of course sheri is; she is never
out SO late as this alone, and she went
for drive shortly after dinner. Shall
send up your card?" The colonel
reached out for the old-fashioned tas-
seled bell-pull.
II should like to know if she is at
home, for sure" said Wrinkle; Gift
she is, there can be no immediate dam
ger--though 1 feel certain"
"Danger!" CALCULATED the colonel.
what the devil do you mean, sir?"
Colonel, you may regard me as med
ding where have 10 right, but I flatter
myself that you cannot fail to appre-
clsteia thing done purely in your.inter-
Lest, andsander q sense of duty: The
truth is, ! saw Miss Evelyn in the cart
with Ronald Fanshaw; driving rapidly
away from the scene of the Shooting.
They were going towards the railroad
station. | have hesitated for three
hours over what I ought to do, and at
last"
The colonel stepped towards him, and
raised his two hands as if to clutch the
speakers throat, but he restrained his
fury and stood staring in Wrinkles
face.
What damnable nonsense is this? ?"
he Numbered.
Il have known for some time, colo
mel" answered Wrinkle, calmly, .sthat
she was falling in love with this fellow:
but could not feel that I had the right
to speak"
Hasbrooke was as pale as death, and
he shook from head to foot as a man
with palsy. He put his hands behind
him and held them tightly one in the
other.
You have made serious, culpable
mistake, sir" he said. ST don't believe
my daughter has even a speaking ac-
quaintance with Fanshaw-if she has
that-and as to your estravagant state
ment that you saw her"
Il am your friend, Col. Hasbrooke."
protested the younger man, Quickly.
and l do not want to leave your house
until / am assured that your daughter
is safe under your roof. Every minute
we are talking here may be valuable to
you. Let me beg of you to ascertain if
she is at home"
You shall have your wish, SIR" The
old mans step across the room to the
bell-pull was majestic. AS he drew the
silken cord toward him he smiled.
You shallcertainlyh have your proof"
he said, "and then'-the old soldier
looked significantly at the door and
bowed.
James entered softly and stood wait
ing.
ASK Evelyn-say to her." corrected
the colonel, chat should like to see
Sc s +