The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-02-14
The World Against Him
ny Will N. HARDEN.
Ccpyriahs. 700. By
Ar. Keiiosa Newspaper Company.
CHAPTER yvII.-CosrrSurp.

finsbrookc pa Icd; he was not look
Ing nt Ronald. who had covered his
facc with both his hands and sat as
still as q statue.
God forgive me u have given you
needless pain" said the colonel. 81
would not have spoken II l could have
seen ary other way of making my
awful fears clear to you. Fanshaw, II
these things were not true Of your
PEOPLE. and you Ind not n dollar 10
your name, should, seeing how my
daughter lcvcs YOU turn over 60 you
and her all the property which Is TO
10 20 her at my death. As God Is my
judge. / wish could end II all by Civ
ing her to you. but i cannoti I sim
ply cannotl"
Ronald rose TO his feet; he rcclcd a
little ns he reached for his hat. which
lay on the desk.
~ have really never hoped 10 win
her" he said, unstcadily. "You are
right II ought never TO be. Children
Of mins shall never live to curse the
world! see my duty to hcr-to you
May God have mercy on mel"
The music had ceased; there was a
light step outside and Evelyn suddenly
opened the door, pnusipg on the
threshold with nm exclamation of sur,
prise.
81 did not know" here she broke
of rs her eyes fell TO studying her
lovers ngonizcl face. Papa" she
asked, coming forward and standing
between the two men. "what does this
mcan?"
The old man collected his senses
slowly.
Daughter" he said, after an awk,
ward pause, IL have sent for Mr.. Fan.
shaw to consult with him In regard to
the welfare Of you both, and together
after talking II all over--we have
conc 20 n mutual agreement that the
idea OF marriage between you-cvcr
at any timc-would be unwise--is no,
TO be thought Of"
Evelyn fastened n questioning, hall
distrustful gnyc on her lover.
"Do you think u would be better foi
you to give me up?" were her words
each delivered after a little incrcd
ulous halt. "You see, Ronald, hav,
never known whether I could be Q
help 10 you. II you should want me
would he ready to stand by yot
through trouble, advcrsity-cvcry
thing that might come; but you ar,
the man; you know best. and II" thei
eyes went darting from one rigid fac,
20 the othcr) "if---" she made an
other beginning, but broke down ant
put her handkerchief to her eyes
Her breast heaycd high.
Hasbrooke nodded dcspniringly Il
Ronald and the latter took the hint.
circumstances beyond our contro
make Il advisable that we should sep
arnte," he said, automatically.
She uncovered her face, disclosing
no trace Of tears. "Am l TO be tol,
about thc---thc circumstances?
"Thcy concern only myself" an
swcrcd Ronald, with another glance n
her father. ~ would rather not speal
Of them"
every well, then" she drew hersel
up erect. II may rs well say good
by" As she gave him her hand tn
eyes of her father flashed with subtl
pride. but the next moment he ha,
another glimpse OF her inmost soul
Remember, Ronald" she said, "tha
I shall never knecl down withou
praying for you. Remember that
shall never love another man as lonI
as I livc!"
lie bowed low; he tried To say some
thing, but the ball In his throat ros
and choked him. lie heard the doc
close and knew she was gone.
Like an automaton, Hasbrook
moved forward and laid his two hand
ON the shoulders Of the crushed youni
man.
ut has ended better than I coul'
have hoped" he declared. Bear ur
Many things are within your grasp
but my child was not for you. She
not for me, either, Fanshaw" (sigh
ing) "she'ii never be the same agail
--ncver!"