The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-06-15

tie catch in her voice; AL. every one
of them, including the .ove of the
truest, purest girl that ever lived"
Then she saw his strength give way.
she felt his hand culver and grow
limp in her clasp; his face was working
under tense emotion.
81 do not allow myself to think OF
that" he said, with sudden frmness.
THAT has been only a dream of mine,
hopeless, vain dream, sent to teach me
how grimly real life is"
Tears sprang into Mrs. Lancaster's
eyes and she cboked up.
"You must not lose hope" she al
most sobbed, as she wrung his hand
and then quickly released it.
He laughed bitterly. 81 never called
it hope at any time" he said. "She
has only been my dream"
She had reached the door and was
looking out into the yard where olo
Fanshaw, in his united hrogans, hick-
DRY shirt and jeans pants, was oiling
the aXles of wagon under an apple
tree. She overheard the low voices OF
his two daughters on the porch and
Mrs. Fanshaw's heavy tread in the ad,
joining sitting-room.
Remember" said Mrs. Lancaster.
that you have a true friend over
thSre"
"Thank you" he replied as she passed
out. lie escorted her, hat in hand. to
the cart and assisted her to her seat.
Then, with a twitching lip, be stood
watching the cart as it rolled away.
Evelyn was in the garden gathering
flowers for the dinng-tabe when her
friend returned. She held her arms
full of them when the old lady a,ight-
ed and came down the walk to her.
Evelyn studied her face in astonish-
ment.
'Why, dear Mrs. Lancaster!" she ex.
claimed, You nave been crying"
The old woman wiped her red eyes
and began TO shed fresh tears.
lie is so like my husband" she said.
huskily. 80 noble; such a grand char
acter."
Evelyn's face lighted up. 81 have al
ways known that, Mrs. Lancaster. Now
you must tell me all that took place
mind, every word that you said and
every word he said" Evelyn drew her
down on rustic seat; her whole body |
seemed ready to listen. Mrs. Lancaster |
told her of her offer to aid Ronald and |
Evelyn broke out, impulsively:
And he refused to accept it! could
have told you that"
"Hes, he refused" and Mrs. Lancas-
ter gave his reasons in detail. EVELYN
raised a bunch of pink roses 10 her
FACE; they were the color of her cheeks.
Nothing she said, with conviction.
nothing under high heaven can keep
a man down with such God-given pur-
pose as that"
For a moment the two friends were
silent, then Mrs. Lancaster caught
Evelyn's hand and pressed it tenderly.
Il made little discovery this morn
ing she said
Evelyn caught her eye and smiled,
still knowingly
you have discovered that he loves
me; l knew that a long time ago, and
It has made me unspeakably happy"
Il discovered further" pursued Mrs.
Lancaster, that he does not hope ever
to win you.' Mrs. Lancasters lips
twitched a little. at is that which
pains me so much. He looked so grand
when he made that admission. l al
most cried in his presence"
He does not hope?" said Evelyn,
md then she caught her breath, low
cred her head and began to gather up
her flowers "Ie does not hope?" she
the words as if to herself, and
Mrs. Lancaster rose and followed her ,
Up the walk TO the house, and as the
girl, with bowed head and rigid mien,
passed into the grand hall Mrs. Lancas-
er began to think that Evelyn herself I
lad never really hoped. I
Seeing that no one was in the hall,
evelyn wheeled round suddenly.
II have never once thought that l. /