Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-25

Ihad Williams and their 1lk--Would burn me out of house and home if I ut tered protest in this natter"
 "But, papa"-Evelyn stood holding to Mrs. Lancaster's hand, and as she spoke her voice tremblede-''but, papa, you must do something-you really must. The man has not been proved guilty; he may be absolutely innocent" l 'Ah, there you go!" laughed the colonel as he touched her chin p!a yfaI- ly. ''You think your old father ought to run the world. Why, I am absolutely helpless. If telegraphed the governor to order out the state militia, they couldn't get here in time, and if they could these determined mountain men would make it hot for them. Twenty lives would be lost instead of one"
 Just then breakfast was announced. The colonel gallantly offered his arm to Mrs. Lancaster, and as she took it she started to draw Evelyn along with her. But the girl drew back.
 "I don't care to go in now," she fall tered. 1T had cup of coffee in. my room. Oh, I am so afraid they. will hang him!"
 "Well, shall come out to you soon, dear,'' said the widow, tenderly. "Wait for me.' ..t.
 Seated at a, window in the drawing room-she felt too nervous to remain on | the veranda alone-Evelyn had 3 good view of the road running along the | edge of the swamp. She could see the | ever-strengtheningc chain of men, their guns and pistols gleaming in the sun i light. To her the sight was more aw- ful than had it been an army in bat tie array. Presently she saw figure on white horse moving along the line of men, pausing now and then as if in argument. She decided that the | horse was Ronald Fanshaw's-that he was the rider. Something told her that he was feeling as she felt and that he was trying to influence his neighbors to refrain from illegal conduct. She watched the rider so closely that the l strain on her eyes produced a blur in her vision. He was almost out of sight now, and she went out On the veranda to get a more extended view of the road bending round the swamp. She saw black Tobe, one of her fathers | servants, coming up the avenue from the road just traversed by Ronald Tobe had been to the post office and was bringing back bag of letters and papers. As he handed her the bag she observed half-fri9htened look in ,his | eyes.
 "Tobe," she asked almost afraid to l trust her voice to calm expression, "who is the man on the white horse?"
 De oldest Fanshaw- young man, rnissie,' was the answer. . | What is he doing?" she asked, with bated breath.
 lies powerfully upset, young miss. He is doin' his level bestto try ter git usn all to let de sheriff tek i'm fur a far trial. My Lawd. fLwish you. ould a-heer dat young man talk; he sho is bright!" n. /.
 Are they paying any attention to him. Tobe?'' ..
 Not one speck, young miss; dey des laugh in his face en tell him dey will hang him ef he fools wid 'enn.''
 As Tobe went round the house to- wards the negro quarter, Evelyn stood holding the bag. ~bsent-mindedly. Her heart was in the throat.
 l How different he is from the rest of men!" she thought. ''Ah, he is my hero! He is my hero! God bless hin.'
  letters out on the hail table, their ad- dresses upwards. There were five or 3ix for Capt. Wrinkle, all dainty pink, white or blue scented envelopes, ad- dressed in girlish -handwritings. For barely m instant a slight sheer fitted over her troubled face, and then she turned back into the drawing-roon. She went again to- the window. She could see the white horse and it's rider coming back along the line Of men sle could see Ronald gesticulating Sometimes he took off his hat and 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 i breath. t.t'.
 Who is it, dear?' asked her com panion.
 MT. Ronald Fanshaw." Evelyn looked searchingly in the fair old visage. Her voice had almost a tri- umphant ring. He is trying to per suade them to do right" 1 How do you kno ow, dear?"
 l Evelyn repeated what Tobe had said 1 and added: II want you to give your consent to something." s What is that, darIng?"
 Come into the writing-room with | me. l am afraid you will object, and yet so much may depend on itI" Mrs. Lancaster's face wore trown of perplexity as she followed Evelyn through the book-lined library into 1 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 & line, only a word, saying that I approve of what he is doing, and that I do not want him to lose heart.''
 Mrs. Lancaster looked dubious as she sat down at the table and leaned her white head op her thin hlue-yRin ed