The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-07-06

Ronald thanked him, surprised at his
own calmness; the warm memory oil
Evelyn's face, as he had just seen 1t, in
spired him with strange, unexpected
confidence in himself. The chair he had
been given was quite near Hasbrooke's
and as the colonel continued to speak |
he leaned his head on his hand, his ell |
bow resting on his desk. This posture
threw his face somewhat into the
shadow.
81 may as well come directly to the
point, Mr.. Fanshaw," in forced, tense
tone. "To be frank, 1 find myself com
pletely in your power, and, since II must
be so, IL is a comfort to be in the power
of a fearless man, and one who would
am confident, despise to take unfair
advantage of me-"
81 am sure do not understand" fal
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.. Faushdw, as com
pletely in your power as If lay at your
feet and you held a saber against my
heart. MY daughter has withheld moth
ing from me- BE her Judgment good OF
i'll. she loves you us she loves her life
She believed you have been greatly
wronged-always MISUNDERSTANDING
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 t.
admit that you have done nothing
should not have done had the woman
been as attractive personally as my
daughter. | know you must care fol-
her, Fanshaw. and that is why l hav,
sent for you to unbosom myself"
The speakers words had been grow
ing more and more indistinct, unit
they finally died in the still room. Ron.
aid knew that he was expected to reply
but he could gather nothing betting
the moment from the mass Of thoughtl
and emotions that seethed in his heart
At this point bar of soft, ripping
notes came from the piano, and the,
were caught up by a sweet, weil-trainet
voice singing a happy song. The ole
man held up his hand.
"You see how She feels, Fanshaw,'
he said, huskily; since your arrest She
has looked more dead than alive. wa!
seriously afraid She would not survive
But YOU see how She is now; told hel
the news just before supper, and she al
most tainted with joy. That is why
sent for you; am unable alone to figh
love ike hers. You and must decid,
on what to do-betweeu u.s."
Between as" repeated Ronald, still
! in the dark as to what was expected o
him.
Hasbrookes face under the ordeal be
fore him took on the color of ashes. ant
as he began 10 speak again he picket
the nap from the sleeve of his coat wit
the mechanical action Of a dying man
perhaps. Mr.. Fanshaw, il may be a
well to begin by our admitting that m.
social training has been different from
yours. In my cradle imbibed certaiI
conventional ideas of the duty Of a ma
1 of my name to his stock. From you
standpoint, doubtless, | am wrong
from mine, right. | am coming to tn
point, and | trust you will pardon N
for being painfully plain. Fanshaw, u
far back as my family records run-ar
we have volumes Of them, sir-we hay
never found the line tainted with dis
honor"
IIasbrooke paused, taking a fu'
breath. It was evident TO Ronald tina
the climax was near, but he made n
comment. The room was very still; out
side of il could be heard only Eve.yn'
sweet, ringing notes, \ vague, unaC
countable despair had seized on tn
young mans heart. lie knew not wha
was coming, but whatever it was woul
not be pleasant.
"You see, Fanshaw," the colonC
seemed to pull himself up to his tas
with extra effort, "if my daughter mus
marry and bring children into III
world, should naturally desire the Il
lance to be with man against who's
family there had never been a charge {
dishonesty"
Ronald breathed hard. The las
word had fallen like a powerfr
weight which crushed out the last b
of hope he had ever had of iightin
the worlds difficulties,
81 think l understand, Col. Has
brooke" he heard his words iarrin
against the sweet floating sounds {
Eyelyns voice, which was rising Ill,
4 happy prayer to heaven.
The colonel leaned forward almos
in an attitude of pity. ,-, ~'9e 49,
Don't understand me TO say MI
Fanshaw." he said, that should dc
mand pedigree with my daughter
5 husband, for | think there are goo
people who have not kept up thei
family records, but if | knew-actua
ly knew of dishonesty in a family
that, sir should try to save my chill
, from as l would from hereditary col
t sumption or insanity | had dea
friend, Mr.. Fanshaw, in Virginia, VIII
belonged to one of the best families
D distantly related to the Carnleigh
r He had a beautiful daughter who fe