Graham guardian., 1900-06-29
CHAPTER XVII.

| The colonel began to walk back and
| forth in the room. Now and then he
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 Eyelyn'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.
''Mr. Hardy has written asking me to
marry him; he says he will write TO
you il 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-
ters. "Weil," he asked, "have you
thought it over?"
Caroline turned page of her music
book leisurely.
II like him as we'll as ever liked
anybody" she said, slowly. "Youknow
he is well off; he has nice home--the
Hardys are good people, ! have. al
ways WuhlSu 10 i've III SldTitSlOHs
"Then write him it is all right" re-
turned Hasbrooke, wcarily. 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 message for
me, James" he said. 81 want to have q
private talk with Mr.. Roy aid 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, suh,"
| About eight o'clock Ronald rode up
TO Carnleigh and turned his horse over
to a 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 q fashlight view of Evelyn al
she sat reading at the center table un
der tall lamp with pink shade. Hi
had never seen her countenance so ra
dainty aglow. The thought took pos
| session of his brain that it was due tc
his release from prison, and that idea
was infinitely sweet to him after whst
he had been forced to endure.
| As he entered the colo.e9s study
| from the walls Of which family por.
traits leaned downward in deep, old
fashioned gilt frames, casual observer
would have taken him for a man of the
world rather than u man whose life ex
| perlences were bounded ny the limits o.
single county.
First Of all, said the colonel, as h,
extended his hand, slim y, II must con
gratulate you upon your escape from
that disagreeable affaip. was rejoicet
at the outcome"
Ronald thanked him. surprised at hi
own calmness; the warm memory o
Evelyn's face, as he ha just seen IL. in
spired him with strange, unexpected
confidence in himself. The chair he hat
been given was quite near asbrooke's s
and rs the colonel Continued to speal
he leaned his head on his hand, his el
bow resting on his deik. This postur
threw his face some what into th