The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-05-11
CHAPTER III.

her school days hPing over. His in
tormant also told him that Carnleigh
was to have visitors - Mr.. James
Hardy, cotton merchant of Charles
ton, who was supposed to be spitor
for the hand of the colonels eldest
daughter, Caroline, and Capt. Charles
Wrinkle, who owned a fine plantation
Ave miles beyond the mountain and
was believed to be an admirer of the
young Gebutante.
Ronald was longing to see Evelyn
again, but he met the two sisters and
their escorts sooner than he desired.
He had taken his books and fishing
tackle 10 shady nook on the river
bank and was just getting settled
when he heard merry laughter in the
wood between the river and the road
aid moment later the two couples
emerged from the tangle of cane, vines
and foliage. Instinctively Ronald drew
his wide-brimmed straw Rat down over
his eyes, and Evelyn did not recog-
nize him for a moment. He had re-
solved that he should never speak 10
her again unless she showed dispo-
sition to renew their informal &C.
quai1tance, and he was averse to put
ting her to the test before the 9TH
ers. Bn. Capt. Wrinkle knew by sight
Che did not bother himself with their
naInes) nearly all OF what he jocularly
termed "the white trash" of that Sec
ton, and he usually addressed them
without ceremony or courtesy. For n
moment he paused watching Ronald's
line, and then he asked:
Are they biting, my MANI"
Ronald felt the hot blood Of anger
rush 10 his face and his fingers tight
ened on his rod. 1t was on his tongue
to retort sharply, but Evelyn's pres
ence helped him control his temper.
He made 10 reply. Capt. Wrinkle curled
his mustache with his white fingers;
he thought the fisherman had not heard
his question.
81 see you have some bait, my good
fellow" lie said in louder tone. Twill
you let me have some of your crickets ?
| the boy has not come with ours" and
| the captain tossed a silver coin on the
grass near Ronald. There was pause.
| Ronald was conscious that Evelyn and
Mr.. Hardy had moved on and that Miss
Caroline was waiting for Wrinkle. Then
our hero picked up the piece of silver
and tossed it into the stream, at the
same moment he doffed his hat and
lifted his basket Of crickets.
You are welcome TO them" he said
II should hate TO see ladies lose their
sport"
"oh, no, Capt. Winkle!" objected Miss
Caroline, do not mind them; we are
very much obliged, hear the boy com.
ing now"
As she turned away and the captain
was following her he looked back an6
said with n sneer:
81 think. Miss Hasbrooke, that we'd
better go further down the stream;
he'll be diving for that money and will
brighten all the fab"
Ronald's ear had never been so acute
he heard Caroline Hasbrooke's low
guarded voice above the rustling OF the
leaves against her stiff duck skirt
You ought not TO have noticed him,
she said; that's one of old man Fan
shaw's sons; he has taken up the study
of law, and it seems to have given hin
the big head"
"You don't tell me-" laughed the cap
tain, "haw, hawl"
Then the negro boy, carrying bias
ket of crickets, passed at the top of hi
speed. Ronald baited his hook anc
flung the line into the stream; his
hands were quivering; he was almos'
beside himself with rage. The dront
of voices told him that the fishing party
had paused about forty yards away. Tn,
reflection of the sunlight on the face
of the water was maddening. This
then, was his long dreamed of meeting
with Evelyn; she would hear her sis
ter's account of what had taken place
after she had moved on. Half an hour
passed.; fish nibbled at his bait, taking
his line round in circle, but he die
not notice it, Suddenly there was (
light step on the grass near him. 1t wal
Evelyn Hasbrooie and she came to hin
with hand outstretched.
"You must pardon me, Mr.. Fanshaw,
she faltered. 81 did not recognize 20,
under that big hat. I did not know I
was you till sister mentioned it jus
now"
He stood up, dropping his hat on tn
ground.
81 really did not presume that yol
would care toto renew our slight &C
quaintance," he stammered, red in tn
face.
A panied expression passed over he
beautiful features.
II can't remember anything I hav
done to make you think so i'll of me
Mr.. Fanshaw."
She seated herself on the root of
tree and opened the novel she held Il
her handss He found himself unable I,
formulate suitable reply and he drew
In his line and put another cricke
on his hook.
81 am afraid" she said, searching hi
face, that Capt. Wrinkle offended yo