The Princeton union., 1900-04-19

P'iFa.e taik with Mr.. Ronald FanshaW.
no over to his house and present my
compliments, and ask him if he will
GO me the honor of calling on me this
evening If he has no previous engage
ment. You remember my exact words,
James?"
Ihe servant repeated them.
THAT will do, and when he comes
show him into this room, and see that
we are not disturbed"
THANK you, suh."
About eight o'clock Ronald rode up
to Curnleigh and turned his horse over
TO a waiting groom. At the foot of the
steps he was met by James, who, in
low, guarded voice, invited himinto his
masters study. AS he passed the win
Cow of the drawing-room the young
man had flashlight view of Evelyn as
she sat reading at the center table un-
Ger tall lamp with pink shade. He
mad never seen her countenance so ra-
dainty aglow. The thought took pos
session OF his brain that it was due to
lis release from prison, and that idea
was Infinitely sweet to him after what
he had been forced to endure.
AS he entered the coloners study,
from the walls Of which family por-
traits leaned downward in deep, old
fashioned gilt frames, a casual observer
would have taken him for man of the
world rather than man whose life ex-
periences were bounded by the limits of
a. single county.
First Of ALL" said the colonel as he
extended his hand, stiffly, II must con-
gratulate you upon your escape from
that disagreeable affair. was reioiced
at the outcome"
Ronald thanked him, surprised at his
own calmness; the warm memory of
Evelyn's face, as he had just seen it, 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.
II may as we'll come directly to the
point, Mr.. Fanshaw," in a forced, tense
tone. "To be frank, find myself COM
pletely in your power, and, since it must
be so, it is comfort to be. in the power
Of fearless man, and one who would,
l am confident, despise to take unfair
advantage of me-"
II am sure I do not understand" fall
tered the visitor, in surprise.
The old man twisted himself round
in his chair; the lamplight brought his
strong features out in minute 1ineality
against the wall behind him.
You have me, Mr.. Fanshaw, as COM
petely in your power as if lay at your
feet and you held saber against my
heart. My daughter has withheld moth
ing from me. Be her judgment good or
Ill, she loves you as she loves her life
She believed you have been greatly
wronged-always misunderst tood-and
that has intensified her love. At first
was inclined to blame you for taking
unfair advantage of her experience in
worldly matters, but am now forced to
admit that you have done nothing I
should not have done had the woman
been as attractive persona ally as my
daughter. l know you must care for
her, Fanshaw, and that is why I have
sent for you to unbosom myself"
The speakers words had been grow
lEg more and more :ndistinct, until
they finally died in the still room. Ron
aid knew that he was expected to reply,
but he could gather nothing befitting
the moment from the mass of thoughts
and emotions that seethed in his heart.
At this point a bar of soft, ripping
Eotes came from the piano. and they
were caught up by a sweet, well-trained
voice singing happy song. The old
man held up his hand.
You see how. she feels, FansEaw,"
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; I told her
the news just before supper, and she al
most tainted with joy. That is why l
sent for you; | am unable alone to fight
I; love like hers. You and I must decide
on what to do-between us!'
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 with
the mechanical action of a dying man.
'Perhaps, Mr.. Fanshaw, it may be as
well to begin by our admitting that my
social training has been different from
yours. In my cradle I imbibed certain
conventional ideas of the duty of a man
Of my name to his stock From your
standpoint, doubtless, [ am wrong
from mine, right. 1 am coming to the
point, and l trust you will pardon me
for being painfully plain. Fanshaw, as
far back as my family records run--and
we have volumes of them, sir--we have
never found the line tainted with dis
honor"
Hasbrooke paused, taking Il full
breath. 1t was evident to Ronald that
the climax was near, but he made no
comment. The room was very still; out
side Of it could be heard only Evelyn's