Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-07-10
"Tell me how it came about" she

/ gave him a.
"Oh, mean how did you ever hap
pen to fall in love with such creature
as he ls?" broke in Miss Hnsbrooke. al
most angrify. "How can you admit
such n thing, when you remember. who
and what the Hasbrookes nre?"
II have never thought of them as be-
ing gods, nor even angels" Evelyn
blurted out, and then she laid a firm, de-
termined hand on her sisters arm. 81
must beg you, Caroline, to leave me
alone this evening. l cannot bear to
hear you run him down for what he
cannot help. Please got"
Caroline drew herself up from her
chair and moved TO the door with step
full of dire prophecy. 81 shall not tell
tell him."
"But SHALL" answered Evelyn. ~
am helpless to aid the man love-the
man I'd die for willingly, but l shall
not conceal the truth from a single
soul. At least 1 can do that much. |
can be true to him. l shall,no deny
him."
Caroline leaned on the swinging door,
her cold, vindictive face rested on her
arm. 1t was on the tip of her tongue
to make an angry retort, but she evil
IDENTIFY thought dumb silence on her
part would be more crushing, so with n
look of forced incredulity on her face
she turned away. II shall not tell fa-
ther,' came like belated echo from
the hall. II shall not be the one to
break his heart"
The colonel had come in from tire
some ride across his domain and sat in
y his study looking over some legal pa
pers. The soft light of German stu
dent lamp brought his fine face out
strongly and clearly from the darkness
round him. He had spread the papers
on the top of his mahogany desk.
Only the day before he had insured his
life for another large amount, and he
was thinking of making a will which
would divide his property equally be-
tween his two daughters. One OF the
servants approached with card.
Tell Capt. Winkle," said he, as he
glanced at the card, "that cannot see
him tonight, unless it is something of
Importance"
He said 1t was very important, sub"
The old man fumbled his papers with
nervous fingers.
1T has come at last" was the thought
in his mind; 'but she shall not be CO.
creed. shall never ask a child of mine
to marry against her inclinations, and
Evelyn has acted strangely in regard to
| him.
We'll, send him in here, Nebo, and
then see that we are not disturbed"
Col. Hasbrooke opened the door of
big iron safe and thrust into 1t his pa
pers. He remained standing, his eyes
on the door. Capt. Wrinkle wore riding
boots md held his gloves and whip in
his hands as he entered.
Il dropped in only for minute, colo
nell" That was his greeting. but ii
was cold one, unlike the young otli-
GERS usual suavity. Indeed, his tone
seemed almost TO carry menace. The
coionels perception was keen, and he
fell to wondering and drawing hasty de-
auctions.
I. You are always welcome at earn
leigh, Capt. Wrinkle. Nebo, take the cap.
tain's things. What will you drink,
sir?"
Wrinkle waved the servant away, and
stood watching him till he had gone,
then he leaned on the back of chair.
II called to see you in regard to your
daughter" he said, still coldly. 81 hope
you will pardon the informality of my
visit, colonel"
II must admit that suspected tha,
you might wish to speak of her-of
Evelyn" answered the old man, now
treasured as to Wrinkles intentions.
Capt. Wrinkle started, / 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 temporary
Observation-Disclosures in so delicate
a maitcr-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. 81 felt it
my duty as personal friend OF yours
to come directly to you.''
1T must be a proposal, after all"
thought the old gentleman, whose face
was divesting itself of its look of per-
plexity, 1.-The fellow is badly ratified"
lie waved his hand towards the cap
tain's chair and sat down himself.
Wrinkle took his seat and crossed his
tightly clad legs, his spurs juggling as
he moved.
| That's right, Capt. Wlnkle," 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
of his feet by such formality, and yet
1t 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 she is; she is never
out SO late as this alone, and she went
Tor drive shortly after dinner. Shall
l send up your card?" The colonel
reached out for the old-fashioned tas-
seied bcll-pull,