Graham guardian., 1900-06-29
shadow

tone. 10 be frank, hnd myself com
pletely in your power, and, since IL must
be SO, it is comfort to be in the power
OF fearless man, and one who would
/ am confident, despise to take unfaiI
advantage of me-"
IL am sure do not understand" Sal.
tered the visitor, in surprise.
The old man twisted himself round
in his chair; the lamplight brought his
strong features out in minute lineality
against the wall behind him.
"You have me, Mr.. Fanshaw, as com,
pletely in your power as il lay at your
feet and you held q saber against my
heart. Ny daughter has withheld moth,
ing from me. BE her judgment good o.
i'll, she loves you as she loves her life,
She believed you have been great,
wronged-always misunderstood--and
that has intensified her love. At first ]
was inclined TO blame you for taking
unfair advantage of her experience IL,
worldly matters, but am now forced 10
admit that you have done nothing ]
should not have done had the woman
been as attractive personally as my
daughter. ! know you must care for
her, Fanshaw, and that is why have
sent for you TO unbosom myself"
The speakers words had been grow
ing more and more indistinct, until
they finally died in the still room. Ron.
aid knew that he was expected to reply,
but he could gather nothing btitting
the moment from the mass Of thonghtt
and emotions that seethed in his heart
At this point bar of soft, ripping
notes came from tho piano, and they
were caught up by sweet, well-trained
voice singing happy song. The OLD
man held up his hand.
"You see how she feels, Fanshaw,"
he said, huskily; "since your arrest she
has looked more dead than alive. Twas
seriously afraid she would not survive.
But you see how she is now; l told her
the news just before supper, and she al.
most tainted with Joy, That is why j
sent for you; | am unable alone to fight
love like hers. You and i must decide
on what to do-between ns."
Between u.s. repeated Ronald, still!
in the dark as to what was expected OF
him.
Hasbrooke's face under the ordeal be-
fore him took on the color of ashes, and
as he began to speak again he picked
the nap from the sleeve Of his coat will
the mechanical action of dying man
perhaps, Me. Fanshaw, it may be az
well TO begin by our admitting that my
social training has been different from
yours, In my cradle imbibed certain
conventional ideas of the duty OF man
of my name to his stock. From your
standpoint, doubtless, l am wrong
from mine, right. am coming to the
point, and / trust You will pardon mt
for being painfully plain. Fanshaw, az
FAR back as my family records run--anG
we have volumes of them, sir--we have
never found the line tainted with dis
honor"
Hasbrooke paused, taking full
breath. 1t was evident to Ronald that
the climax was near, but he made nc
comment. The room was very still; out
side of il could be heard only Evelyn's
sweet, ringing notes. A vague, unac
countable despair had seized en- the
young mans heart. He knew not whal
was coming, but whatever it was woule
not be pleasant.
"You see, Fanshaw." the colone
seemed to pull himself up to his tasl
with extra effort, 'if my daughter mus
marry and bring children into tn.
world, I should naturally desire the Al
lance 10 be with man against who's
family there had never been q charge 0!
dishonesty"
Ronald breathed hard. The las
word had fallen like powerful,
weight which crushed out the last bit
Of hope he had ever had of fighting
the worlds difficulties.
81 think l understand, Col. Has
brooke" he heard his words jarrine
against the sweet floating sounds O.
Eyelyn's voice, which was rising luo
happy prayer to heaven.
The colonel leaned forward almos
in an attitude of pity.
Don't understand me to say, Mr.
Fanshaw," he said, "that should. de
mand ~ pedigree with my daughter
husband, for think there are goot
people who have not kept up thei
family records, but il knew--actual
ly knew of dishonesty in family
that, sir, | should try to save my chill,
from as l would from hereditary con
sumption or insanity, | had dea
friend, Mr.. Fanshaw, in Virginia, VIII
belonged to one of the best families
distantly related to the CarnleighE
He had beautiful daughter who fel
in love with self-made man, who's
grandfather had been accused of dis
honest dealings. My friend reluctant
ly gave his consent, but the only iss,i
of that marriage, Mr.. Fanshaw, was
son who became an outlaw and brolS
the hearts of both his parents. Pea
don me, sir, but / started out to
plain, and remember, we are consult
ing about the welfare OF one we bot
love. Mr.. Fanshaw, my father
brother, who lived in East Tennessee,
was the judge who sentenced you
grandfather, Abraham Fanshaw, t
prison for 90 years for theft. l kno'
nothing of your fathers life in Tel
nessee, but it pains me to say thu
I detected him five years ago loadin
q wagon with wheat from one of IN
barns. He confessed his guilt tin
threw himself on my mercy, and di
not, thinking of his family and his oil
age, prosecute him."
Hasbrooke paused; he was not lool
ing at Ronald, who had covered hi
face with both his hands and sat a
still as q statue.
"God forgive me if have given 80