Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-06-08

when he returned at dusk he brought
the intelligence that he could find no.
body who would dare take n hand in
such an enterprise. She spent that
night in the farmhouse and the next
day she drove back absolutely alone in
search of her husband and child. Near
the spot where she had been separated
from them she found her husbands hat,
the little cap worn by the baby, stained
with blood, and n pool of blood by the
roadside. She spent all that day alone
on that road and returned at night to
the farmhouse. Here she stayed u
month making inquiries and searches
in all directions for more conclusive
proof of the death of her child and
husband. Finally the old farmer came
to her one day with the report that one
of the robbers had just died and that
he had madea deathbed confession that
he had shot and killed Capt Lancaster.
The baby, he said, was not killed at the
time, ms there was some reluctance
among the men as to who should do It.
They had gotten over this difficulty by
drawing straws and the man upon
whom the task had fallen had prom
ised hat he would drown the child, that
Its death might be an easy one. This
was the only crumb of comfort the
poor lady got; think of that, gentle
men, she could only hope that her sons
Geath had been quick and painless. The
dying man refused TO tell who had un-
dertakcn the crime" The colonel
paused. stroking his gray Van Dyke
beard. rs il any wonder that her face
is sad and her hair white? 2"
ut Is reported in Charleston that
She has had many advantageous Of
fers of marriage" put in Mr.. Hardy,
lis he empticd his wine glass.
Hundreds of them" enthused the
colonel. why, Gen. Beauclare fol
lowed her about like slave and so did
Senator Waugh; couldn't count the
men who were in love with her, but
she turned en- all down."
The promenaders had quilted the
veranda, and there was light touch
on the piano in the drawing-room and
swces voice singing an old song.
THAT is her!' cried the colonel
whose enthusiasm was not often gov
erned by rules of grammar.
This was the signal for leaving the
table. and the men went into the big.
ancient-Iooking paror where tie
lights burned low and the breeze from
the distant mountains famed the lace
Curtains into the room. Evelyn sat IN
rockins-chair, her eyes on the sing
er's face. Caroline was noisclessly
placing whist table and playing
cards Lear the center Of the room.
She. ilci father. Mr.. Hardy and Capt.
Hinkl" we're ;he only ones who were
fond OF the game.
But we sha'l interrupt the sing
ing" protested TIE colonel, when he
noticed the preparations.
shall stop il yon don't go on with
the game" declared the gentle old
lady. smile crossing her sweet. sad
face; land furthermore. shall not
siiig unless you all talk over your
game"
TO this the jovial host agreed I'M
der protest, and the whist-players took
their places. Evelyn sat at the end
OF the piano near enough to touch the
elbow Of the singer. There was in
finite pathos in Mrs. Lancaster's voice
as she sang:
"Dey amt no use fer 10 fret an pine,
Steady on de way. believers.
KS &c same ole worl wen de sun don't
shine.
Steady on de way. believers"
The colonel was dealing the cards.
but he made mistake in the count,
and with low laugh he threw the
cards down. "a must wait till that one
is over, anyway" he whispered. THAT
blamed thing always gets the best OF
me-"
IT'S de same OF WORT in de sun an de
Same on de hilltop an same on de plain,
SO keep up yo' shoutin' an keep on yo'
prayin'-
Steady on de way. believers.
"Dey's a grea: big blossom on do water
melon vine.
Steady on &c way. believers;
Fur peace come long wen you done wild
So keep up yo' shoutin' an keep on yo'
prayin',
Steady on de way, believers"
There was just the faintest CULVER in
Mrs, Lancaster's voice, which Evelyn
alone noticed, and hint of moisture
in her eyes as the melody died In the
still room. She turned towards the
card players, who, with the exception
OF the dapper captain. seemed deep
" moved by her song,
Il knew would stop your game"
she laughed, "you are too polite to