The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-06-01

"Well, shall come out to you soon,
DEAR" said the widow, tenderly. "Wait
for me-"
Seated at a window in the drawing |
room-she felt too nervous to remain on |
the veranda alone-Evelyn had a good
view of the road running along the
edge of the swamp. She could see the |
ever-strengthening chain Of men. Their
guns and pistols cleaning in the sun
light. To her the sight was more av
full than had it been an army in bat.
tie array. Presently she saw a figure
on white horse moving along the lin,
of men, pausing now and then as IL
in argument. She decided that the
horse was Ronald Fanshaw's-that ut
was the rider. Something told her thai
he was feeling as She felt and that n,
was trying TO influence his neighbol.
to refrain from illegal couduct. Sir
watched the rider so closely that IT,,
strain on her eyes produced blur ID
her vision. He was almost out Of sign
now, and she went out on the veraud.
to get more extended view OF tE
road bending round the swamp. ST
saw black lobe, one of her father
servants, coming up the avenue frol
the road just trayersed by RonaI.
lobe had been TO the post office an
was bringing back bag of letters an,
papers. As he handed her the bag Sd,
observed half-frightened look in hi
eyes.
"Tobe," she asked almost afraid /,
trust her voice to calm expression
"who is the man on the white hotse?'
DE oldest Fanshaw young man
missile" was the answer.
"What is he doing?" she asked, witt
bated breath.
Hes powerfully upset, young miss
He is dom his level best to try ter 81,
um all to let de sheriff TEX i'm fur
far trial. My Lawd! wish you cou.o
a-heer dat young man talk; he sho t.
bright"
Are they paying any attention tc
him, Tobe?"
Not one speck, young miss; dey de-,
laugh in his face en- tell him dey Wi
hang him ef he foo,s wild EN-"
As lobe went round the house to.
wards the negro quarter, Evelyn stoo,
holding the bag abseut-mindedly Hcl
heart was in the throat.
How different he is from the res
| Of men!" she thought. "Ah, he is my
hero He is my hero! God bless HIM
She opened the bag and spread III,
letters out on the hall table, their al
| dresses upwards. There were five o.
six for Capt Wrinkle, all dainty pink
white or blue scented envelopes, nd.
dressed in girlish handwritiugs. tol
barely an instant a slight sneer flittec
over her troubled face, and then She
| turned back into the drawing-room
She went again TO the window. She
could see the white horse and its rider
coming back along the line OF men
She could see Ronald gesticulatirr
Sometimes he took off his hat and
wiped his brow as IL he were fatigued
Evelyn felt soft hand steal round
her waist and, knowing to whom it be-
longed, she simply pointed towards the
horseman.
DO you see him, Mrs. Lancaster
she questioned, almost under hel
breath.
"Who is it, dear?" asked her com
pauion.
"NIr Ronald Fanshaw." Evelyr
looked searchingly in the fair ole
visage. Her voice had almost tn
umphant ring. He is trying to per
suade them to do eight"
How DO you know, dear?"
Evelyn repeated what lobe had sale
and added;
Il want you to give your consent tc
something"
what is that, darllng?"
Come into the writing-room will
me. l am afraid you will object, anc
yet so much may depend on i'll"
Mrs. Lancaster's face wore a frowI
of perplexity as she followed EvelyI
through the book-lined library into
little room adjoining. The girl sanl
into a chair at the table and took NJ
pen. She bit the end of it nervousl.
as she glanced up at her friend.
81 want to send him line, only
word, saying that l approve Of wha
he is doing, and that l do not wan
him to lose heart"
Mrs. Lancaster looked dubious a
she sat down at the table and leane
her white head on her thin, blue-veine
hand
81 don't think you ought to do
without your fathers consent" sh
said, still looking down.
EVELYN sighed deeply.
He'd never consent-Iever; he'd no
understand my motive as you do; he
be perfectly unreasonable, but / do no
want you to oppose me-that is, l don
want to do anything without your cor
sent"
The woman addressed now gave Eve
Ign a steady look.
Remember, am your fathers guest
l know how You feel, and if / though
it would be quite right | would"
you have no idea how little encoui
agement he gets" interrupted Evelyr
impulsively "Ile is the only one anon