Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-07-10
her here for only minute. But, hold;
has she returned from her driver"

Aer mere lof only minute. But, hold;
has she returned from her lrive?"
Eyes sub; des minute TO YOU got
back, subj"
The colonel swept triumphant
glance at Wrinkle, and then concluded
his command TO the servant
ASK her to come down.
II trust" said the captain, when the
man had Withdrawn, that you will par.
don my fear that-that the couple real
ly had the intention of clipping; but,
seeing them together at such time.
was naturally disposed TO wonder what
could have caused such meeting; and
few minutes later, when came
across the dead man, and learned that
Fanshaw had killed him, it was natur-
al that should think
you shall be convinced, SIR" burst
from IIasbrookc's lips, that you have
had an attack Of blindness that is dam
gerous to the reputation of honorable
womeI!"
shall not dispute with Won
colonel. said Winkle, in conciliatory
tone; but passed as near them as
| am to you now. | shall leave it to her
She will not deny my statement"
The old officer shrugged his shout
ders in stern unbelief. and five minutes
of sullen silence bore down on the two
men. ! was lifted by the approach Of
Evelyn. Both men were on their feet
as she entered the room. Capt. Wrinkle
bowed low, but no word of greeting
passed his lips. Her father placed a
chair for her, but she signitied her de-
sire to stand. Her lip curled with dis
dain as her eyes fell on Wrinkles face,
and then She gave her undivided at
Iention to her father.
"icu are TO decide n point between
Capt. Wrinkle aud myself" began the
old man, as he released her hands,
which he had taken to lead her to the
chair. lie is sure he saw you in the
cart with i'anshaw, driving away from
the scene OF the tragedy. |, of course,
firmly denied it,
Evelyn he'd her head high, her arms
tightly folded; she seemed to have
stopped breathing.
>'it' w iiiNiS ls SllI SHt GU-
swcred, in Il low, tense tone.
The colonel reeled as if he we're
dizzy. For the ensuing moment there
was no other sound in the room save
his labored breathing. Suddenly he
steadicd himself before her, his eyes
expanded.
Are you crazy, my child?" he blurt-
ed out.
Almost" Evelyn laughed harshly.
"rhe only man ever loved as women
love once in their lives is facing the
most horrible crisis of his existence. l
happened to meet him on his way to
give himself up TO the sheriff, and, as |
love him and wanted to be with him ms
much as possible, to comfort him, and
assure him of my fidelity, insisted on
driving him TO Ratcliff's. He begged
me not to insist on it, but would have
il SO. lfyou cast me off million times
shall have all the more heart to be-
stow ON hm-the more pity In his sor-
row."
The old soldier seemed to wither like
a plant under fierce heat; his hands
hung Imply at his sides for moment,
and then he drew himself up as erect as
If he were on parade and faced his Wis
flor.
"You have rendered me valuable
service, Capt. Wlnlle," he said distant
ly, and l hope some day to be able to
show better appreciation for It,"
He moved backward to the beIl-
pull, his eyes studiously avoiding those
of his child.
Capt. Wrinkles horse!" he called out
to the servant. His words rang like
pieces Of falling metal.
When Wrinkle had gone, Hasbrooke
stood for moment eying his daughter
sorrowfully, then he sank into his big
revolving chair and lowered his head
to the desk. Evelyn looked down on
him pityingly, and then she stepped to
him and laid cold white hand on his
head.
Father" her voice cut sharply into
the silence. II love you as fondly as
any daughter ever loved father, but
as sure as God is in Heaven that love
will die-you will kill 1t If you turn
against me In my first hour of actua,
woe! | am suffering for the man love
as never fancied even a lost soul coult!
suffer, and yet you have no pity for
me. You demanded more In your daugh,