The Irish standard., 1900-07-28

neard you were IN prison 1t almost
drove me wild. Evelyn wrote me
about your arrest, and then it was
week before l learned of your re-
lease. My name is Elizabeth; gave
your father that silver tobacco-boX;
and, moreover, l lost you exactly where
you were taken during the war. l
am so happy! anu actually afraid my
JOY will kill me-"
She began to cry silently, and in his
desire to comfort her he found him
self claspirg her hand and stro!<ing
hack the white hair from her brow.
"And 1 am glad you are my mother"
he said simply. you have been my
ideal woman ever since that day you
came to see me-"
They sat together for an hour, maxi
ing plans for the future.
Evelyn and are going to spend
next year abroad" she told him, land
you are going with us. Col. Hasbrooke
says he is too old for the journey and
we shall need man."
His face clouded for the first time
during the interview.
''But Col. Hasbrooke-"
'IIe is simply wild to call you SON.
in-law," Mrs. Lancaster broke in, with
q laugh. Evelyn has been almost
dead with sorrow since he separated
you. really believe he was coming
round anyway. Yesterday he said
great deal about your nobility of char
acter and talent. He always listens to
me, and 1 told him there was nothing
to be done but to let you have her.
But that reminds me; she is waiting
to see you. Poor, dear child! never
was so selfish-so thoughtless. I'm
going to send her to you"
She rose and he nervously held her
hands, a fixed look on his face.
"-\re you sure" he faltered, "that I
have the right toe"
His mother drew herself up to her
full height. "You are Lancaster"
she sad, proudly.
When She had passed through the
heavy curtains obscuring a room in
the rear, he sat for several minutes
fairly dazed by what had taken place.
His reverie was disturbed by the COM
ing of Evelyn. A flush was on her
slightly attenuated face, and her eyes
were red and sparkIed as if she had
been crying, but she came to him with
a firm, confident step. and put both
her hands in his.
ut is all so wonderful" she said,
simply. 81 am actually too cholled up
to speak. I've been laughing, crying,
and doubling the truth of it by turns
ever since Mr.. Redding went away"
ut seems like Il dream to me-" he
made answer. 81 am afraid 1 shall
wake and find myself back in my little
room over there on the farm
"Mrs. Lancaster told me just now"
said Evelyn, that she had forgotten
to tell you your given name. She
asked me to inform you. but hate
to pronounce it. shall never call
you anything but Ronald. Will that
suit you, sir?'
They were seated side by side on
the sofa.
81 shall never want you to call me
anything "lse," he smiled; "but / must
own up to a little curiosity as to what
[ am legally entitled to-"
"Chal les Erskine," answered Evelyn,
Mrs. Lancaster was a Miss Erskine.
How do YOU like it?"
Its not bad" he laughed; "per-
haps [ may grow up to it in time"
just then Hasbrooke looked in at
the door and limped towards them, an
almost Goyish look of embarrassment
on his face.
II am going to beg your forgiveness
for what said the last time you were
here" he said.
II did not blame you, Col. Has
brooke" was the reply.
"But blame you," Evelyn turned
on Ronald, suddenly. eff had known
your stupid reasons for giving me up
[ should never have consented-never!
thought it was because-because you
thought me too great responsible
ity, and a burden"
"Well, settle it between you,' smiled
her father. And when he had Quilted
the room they did.
THE END.