The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-06-29

THls?" HE THUNDERED.
her here for only a minute. But, hold;
has she returned from her driver"
"Yes sub; des minute 70 you got
back, sub"
The colonel swept a triumphant
glance at Wrinkle, and then concluded
his command to the servant.
"Ask her TO come down."
81 trust" said the captain, when the
man had withdrawn, that you will par
don my fear that-that the couple real
ly had the intention of clipping; but,
seeing them together at such time, l
was naturally disposed to wonder what
could have caused such meeting; and
few minutes later. when came
across the dead man, and learned that
Fanshaw had killed him, it was natur-
al that should think"
"You shall be convinced, SIR" burst
from Hasbrooke's lips, that you have
had an attack of blindness that is dan
gerous TO the reputation of honorable
women!"
81 shall not dispute with you,
colonel" said Wrinkle, in a conciIiatory
tone; but | passed as near them as
i am to you now. shall leave it to her.
She will not deny my statement"
The old officer shrugged his shout
ders IN stern unbelief and five minutes
of sullen silence bore down on the two
men. 1t was lifted by the approach of
Evelyn. Both men were on their feet
as she entered the room. Capt. Wrinkle
bowed low, but no word of greeting
passed his lips. Her father placed a
chair for her, but she signifed her de-
sire to stand. Her lip curled with dis
dain as her eyes fell on Wrinkles face,
and then she gave her undivided at
tention TO her father.
"You are TO decide point between
Capt. Wrinkle and myself" began the
old man, as he released her hands,
which he had taken TO lead her 10 the
chair. "He is sure he saw you in the
cart with Fanshaw, driving away from
the scene of the tragedy. l, of course,
firmly denied it."
Evelyn held her head high, her arms
tightly folded; she seemed to have
stopped breathing.
Capt. Wrinkle is quite right" she an
swered, in a low, tense tone.
The colonel reeled as if he were
dizzy. For the ensuing moment there
was no other sound in the room save
his labored breathing. Suddenly he
steadied himself before her, his eyes
expanded.
'Are you crazy, my child?" he blurt-
ed out.
almost" Evelyn laughed harshly
"The only man l ever loved as women
love once in their lives is facing the
most horrible crisis Of his existence. !
happened to meet him on his way to
give himself up to the sheriff, and, as I
love bin and wanted 70 be With him as
much as possible, TO comfort him, and
assure him of my fidelity, insisted on
driving him TO Ratchif's. He begged
me not TO insist on ii, but ! would have
1t so. If sou cast me off million times
i shall have all the more heart to be-
-stow on him-the more pity in his sor-
rowl"
The old soldier seemed to wither like
plant under fierce heats his hands
hung Imply Mt his sides for a moment,
and then he drew himself up as erect as
If he were on parade and faced his Wis
flor.
you have rendered me a valuable
service, Capt. Wrinkle" he said Distant
ly, "and hope some day to be able to
show better appreciation for it,"
He moved backward to the bell
pull, his eyes studiously avoiding those
of his child.
Capt. Wrinkles horse!" he called out
10 the servant. His words rang like
pieces of falling metal.
When Wrinkle had gone, Hasbrooke
stood for a moment eying his daughter
sorrowfully, then he sank into his big
revolving chair and lowered his head
to the desk. Evelyn looked down on
him pityingly, and then she stepped to
him and laid a cold white hand on his
head.
Father" her voice cut sharply into
the silence. II love you as fondly us
any daughter ever loved father, but
as sure as God is in Heaven that love
will die-you will kill il if you turn
against me in my first hour of actual
woe! am suffering for the man I love
as never fancied even a lost soul could
suffer, and yet you have no pity for
me. You demanded more in your daugh-
ter, but tell you l demand more in a
fatherl God made me love Ronald Fan
shaw; He did 1t by opening my eyes TO
his greatness of mind and character.
will not allow you to insult him by
your tears" her voice rose to a sharp
command and she stamped her small
foot. II will not, say!"
The white head was raised. The old
mans eyes CLEANED with the fires Of
despair; but as they rested on the calm.
undaunted face of his bestowed child
their glance wavered. .-