Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-05-30
CHAPTER XVII.

| lOI III Ill luC IOols lNoM anu tuSu uC
would stray across the hall and pause
in the doorway to give half an ear to
Caroline, who was listlessly playing the
piano. Her music had never touched
him as had Evelyn's. Evelyn's songs
her lightest touch-seemed to invite the
sweetest memories to his heart. Caro-
line looked up and saw him standing
in the doorway.
Father" she turned on the stool.
mfr. Hardy has written asking me to
marry him; he says he will write to
you if encourage him to do So"
Hasbrooke advanced till he stood be-
hind her. Somehow he had little in
clination to touch this one of his daugh-
tiers. WELL" he asked, "have you
| thought it over?"
Caroline turned page of her music
book leisurely.
81 like him as we'll as ever liked
anybody" she said, slowly. You know
he is well off; he has nice home-the
Hardys are good people. 1 have al
ways wanted to live in Charleston"
"Then write him it is all right" re-
turned Hasbrooke, YEARLY, and they
went in to supper. Evelyn came down
moment later. Her father wondered
at the transformation in her. In her
evening dress, she looked like flower
which had never been touched by
storm.
After they had left the table she
followed him to the door of his study,
but he coldly begged to be left alone
and asked her to send James to him
The servant found him at his desk.
II want you to bear a message for
ME, James" he said. II want to have a
private talk with Mr.. Ronald Fanshaw.
Go over to his house and present my
compliments, and ask him if he will
do me the honor of calling on me this
evening if he has no previous engage
ment. You remember my exact words,
James?"
The servant repeated them.
THAT will do, and when he comes
show him into this room, and see that
we are not disturbed"
THANK you, subj
About eight o'clock Ronald rode up
to Carnleigh and turned his horse over
to d waiting groom. AT the foot of the
steps he was met by James, who, in a
low, guarded voice, invited him into his
masters study. AS he passed the win
dow of the drawing-room the young
man had a fiashlight view of Evelyn as
she sat reading at the center table I'M
der tall lamp with pink shade. He
had never seen her countenance SO ra-
dainty aglow. The thought took pos
session of his brain that it was due to
his release from prison, and that idea
was infinitely sweet to him after what
he had been forced to endure.
AS he entered the coloneps study,
from the walls of which family por-
traits leaned downward in deep, old
fashioned gilt frames, casual observer
would have taken him for man of the
world rather than man whose life ex-
periences were bounded by the limits of
a single county.
First of all" said the colonel, as he
extended his hand, stiffly, 81 must con-
graduate you upon your escape from
that disagreeable affair. was rejoiced
at the outcome"
Ronald thanked him, surprised at his
own calmness; the warm memory of
Evelyn's face, as he had just seen it, in
spired him with strange, unexpected
confidence in himself. The chair he had
been given was quite near Hasbrooke's,
and as the colonel continued to speak
he leaned his head on his hand, his ell
bow resting on his desk. This posture
threw his face somewhat into the
shadow.
Il may as well come directly to the
point, Mr.. Fanshaw," in forced, tense
tone. ITO be frank, find myself COM
pletely in your power, and, since it must
be so, it is comfort to be in the power
of a fearless man, and one who would,
am confident, despise to take unfair
advantage of me-"
II am sure do not understand" fal.
tered the visitor, in surprise.
The old man twisted himself round
in his chair; the lamplight brought his
strong features out in minute lineality
against the wall behind him.
you have me, Mr.. Fanshaw, as com
pletely in your power as if lay at your
feet and you held a saber against my
heart. My daughter has withheld moth
ing from me. Be her judgment good or
i'll, she loves you as she loves her life.
She believed you have been greatly
wronged-always MISUNDERSTANDING
that has intensified her love. At first l
was inclined to blame you for taking
unfair advantage of her experience in
VnrI11v M nj 1,,,{T 70 H.
admit that you have done nothing /
should not have done had the woman
been as attractive personally as my
daughter. I know you must care for
her, Fanshaw, and that is why have
sent for you to unbosom myself"
The speakers words had been grow
ing more and more indistinct, until
they finally died in the still room. Ron
aid knew that he was expected to reply
but he could gather nothing BETTING
the moment from the mass of thoughts
and emotions that seethcd in his heart
AT this point bar of soft, ripping
notes came from the piano, and they
were caught up by a sweet, well-trained
voice singing a happy song. The old
man held up his hand.
"You see how she feels, Fanshaw,"
he said, huskily; 'since your arrest she
has looked more dead than alive. Twas
seriously afraid she would not survive.
But you see how she is now; told her
the news just before supper, and she al
most tainted with joy. That is why 1
sent for you; am unable alone to fight
u love like hers. You and 1 must decide
on what to do-between us!"
Between u.s." repeated Ronald, still
in the dark as to what was expected Of
him.
Hasbrooke's face under the ordeal be-
fore him took on the color of ashes, and
as he began to speak again he picked
the nap from the sleeve of his coat with
the mechanical action of dying man.
Perhaps, Mr.. Fanshaw, it may be as
well to begin by our admitting that my
social training has been different from
yours. In my cradle imbibed certain
| conventional ideas of the duty of n man