Williston graphic., 1900-06-14
wiped his brow as if he were fatlguea

wiped his brow as if 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 her
breath.
"Who is it, dear?" asked bcr com.
panion.
''Mr. Ronald Fanshaw.'' Evelyn
looked searchingly in the fair old
| visage. Her voice had almost tri-
umphant ring. ''He is trying to per-
suade them to do right"
How do you know, dear?"
Evelyn repeated what Tobe had said
and added:
Il want you to give your consent to
something
''What is that, darling?'
Come into the writing-room with
me. 1 am afraid you will object, and
yet SO much may depend on it!'
| Mrs. Lancaster's face wore a frown
of perpleNity as she followed Evelyn
through the book-lined library into a
little room adjoining. The girl sank
into chair at the table and took up
& pen. She bit the end of it nervously
as she glanced up at her friend
II want to send him a line, only a
word, saying that I approve of what
he is doing. and that l do not want
him to lose heart"
Mrs. Lancaster looked dubious as
she sat down at the table and leaned
her white head on her thin, bIue-vened I'd
hand.
81 don't think you ought to do il
without your fathers consent" she
said, still looking down.
Evelyn sighed deeply.
He'd never con sent-Tever; he'd not
understand my motive rs you do; he'd
be perfectly unreasonable, but do not
want you to oppose lHe-that is. | don't
want to do anything without your con-
sent"
The woman addressed now gave Eve,
lyn 4 steady look.
''Remember, l am your fathers guest
I know how you feel, and if thought
it would be quite right I would"
''You have no idea how little encour.
agement he GETS interrupted Evelyn
impulsively. ''He is the only one among
all those people who is trying to do
right"
Mrs. Lancaster put her arm round
Evelyn's shoulders and gently took the
pen from her ngers.
81 love you as if you were my own
child, Evelyn. You are too young and
inexperienced to see where all this is
leading. Oh, you must be careful! If
there were no barriers between you il
would rot be SO bad, but under the ex-
listing circumstances l should be very
culpable toto allow this. lie is a
noble young man. and l like him
can't explain why l like him so much
but l do
With an impatient toss of her head
Evelyn waived all arguments.
''If an innocent man should be killed
to-day" she said, firmly, you will be
sorry we did not do something towards
averting his fate"
Mrs. Lancaster shrank back little
and then she became very thoughtful
Presently she suggested a compromise
Suppose write to him over my own
name; will that do?"
a light kindled in Evelyn's eyes.
''Yes, that will do; oh, I'm so glad
hurry up!"
Mrs. Lancaster dipped her pen, drew
a sheet of paper towards her and wrote
as follows:
"God bless you and help you succeed
in your noble effort. Our prayers are
with you.-Mrs. Lancaster"
Evelyn was reading over her shoulder
and when the writing was done she
kissed Mrs. Lancaster on the cheek
For that one word," She chuckled.
"What word do you mean ?" asked hc1
companion.
Taking the pen, Evelyn underscored
the word ''our" and laughingly folded
the paper.
perhaps it ought not to go that
way" protested Mrs. Lancaster, but
Evelyn only continued to laugh siyly
as she thrust the note into an envelope
and held it under the old lady's eyes.
''Ronald Fanshaw, Esquire,' she die.
tated, firmly, ana with sigh Mrs. Ian.
caster reluctantly complied.
A moment later Evelyn had slipped
out into the negro quarter ard called
Tobe from his cabin.
''Take it to Mr.. Ronald Fanshaw," she
said, ''and do not say word about il
to anyone. Mind, to no one-not :
soul"