Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-06-19

legs shook at the knees, and he put his
hand on the railing. Then he saw Rom
aid approaching, and he stood still, his
features working strangely.
What's this heer?" he stammered,
his few remaining teeth showing be-
tween his tobacco-stained lips.
ut was proved that. he killed himself
accidentally with his own revolver
our hero informed him.
"Huh, it is jest some lawyers trick!'
growled the man. who had not felt
enough interestin the matter TO attend
the trial, and he tottered down the
steps calling in a sort of human bark
to Ratcliff, who was driving away. He
was bent on getting a confirmation of
the story from some one outside of his
family.
Ronald passed into the house and
went up to his room. His heart, de-
spite his recent triumph, was beginning
to feel heavy again. No sooner was he
assured of freedom than dire thoughts
of Evelyn came focking to his wearied
brain. He was free, it was true. but
she had, no doubt, brought her fathers
wrath down upon her head. He stood
at a window watching the sunlight
climb up the side of a rugged cliff mile
toward the east. He heard the shrill
voice of Ann Josephine out near the
corn house.
"Oh, nal" she was calling, IRONS
come cleer-Ron's come cleer!"
Our hero could see his mothers re-
tund figure as she emerged from the
corn house and waddled towards the
hog-pen, her apron filled with apples.
"Ain't you jokin', JOSEF" she asked,
and her son wondered at her express
sionless face.
mo, the sheriff has jest now fetched
i'm home.''
well, feel easier" sighed the old
woman. "I'm glad thar amt goin'
to be no hangin' amongst us. The Lord
knows we've had mighty nigh ever
thing else to happen TO us. Ever since
yore gran'pa was put in Jail, have
looked for yore pa or one O. the boys,
to-"
Ronald turned from the window; his
heart was very heavy. He was thinking
OF Evelyn again, and the gulf between
him and her. All, how he loved her!
He crossed the room and stood at an
other window from which he could see
the roof of Carnleigh.
Il am to blame" he sighed, SADLY to
blame; what right had 1 to allow her
first to pity, then to love me, when
I have nothing to offer-n othing, abso-
lutely nothing, and she everything to
give?"
The colonel reached home later than
Ronald. Night was beginning to fall,
and the big lamp at the top of the car
riage-drive threw its rays far down
the tree-bordered avenue as he drove
through the big wrought-iron gate. The
lamps in the hall and drawing-room,
under their vari-colored shades, cast a
beautiful glow on the veranda. AS he
entered the hall he fancied he saw
Evelyn fit out at the door at the end,
which opened into the conservatory.
He was assured of this when he had
gone into the library, where there was
no other light than was made by the
huge wood fire, which famed and
cracked on the brazen dog-irons, for
she came from the conservatory by, an
other door. bringing his smoking jack
ct and slippers; he knew that she had
had them ready, for she had not had
time to go to his room for them. His
heart sorely smote him as he kissed her
white face and noted the dark hollow S
under hereyes-eyes which absorbed the
red freight like diamonds. AT any raj e
he had good news for her, but the
thought pierced him like dagger 10
think of it as such. Despite himself, a