Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-01-11
The World Against Him
BY WILL N. HARDEN.
Copyright. 1900. by
AN. Kellogg Newspaper Company.
CHAPTER XIII.-CoNr1NuED.

CHAPTER XIu.-CoNTINUED.
Capt. Wrinkle started. It had flashed
upon him that he was being misunder-
stood, and yet there was a logged
something in his eyes which seemed to
say that little thing like temporary
nderstanding-eveni in so delicate
a. matter-would amount to nothing as
IN offset against the humiliation
Eve1yn's conduct had brought him.
-Hasty reflection on this line made him
unusually blunt of speech.
S"Yes, I want to talk to you about her,
but not in the way you perhaps an
ticipate, Col. Hasbrooke," said the cap
tain, almost patronizingly. 81 felt it
my duty as personal friend of yours
10 come directly to YOU"
--It must be a proposal, after ALL"
thought the old gentleman, whose face
was divesting itself of it's look of per-
plexity, "the fellow is badly ratified"
He waved his hand towards the cap
tain's chair and sat down himself.
tightly clad legs, his spurs jingling as
he moved.
.That's right, Capt. Winkle," went
ON the older man, "that's always best;
Il like the old way-a father has the big
agest interest in daughter after all has
been said"
Wrinkles attention seemed note to
Hasten to this last remark.
s'May I ask if Miss Evelyn is at
5 homer" he asked, introductively.
Hasbrooke could not restrain smile.
EHe told himself that he had never
:. dreamt that Wrinkle would be knocked
: off his feet by such a formality, and yet
tit showed that the fellow was hard hit,
>and that was what he ought to be.
81 don't know" replied he, "but," he
added, "of course she is; she is never
sout so late as this alone, and she went
Tor. a.,drive shortly after dinner. Shall
u send up your card?" The colonel
reached out for the old-fashioned tas-
&eled bel1-pull.
81 should like to know if she is at
home, for sure" said Wrinkle; eff
she is, there can be no immediate dan
:Eer--though feel certain
"Danger!" calculated the colonel,
what the devil do you mean, sir?"
"Colonel, you may regard me as med
xiling where have no right, but flatter
myself that you cannot fail to appre-
r~ciate a thing done purely in your inter-
lest, and under sense of duty. The
truth is, saw Miss Evelyn in the cart
with Ronald Fanshaw driving rapidly
away from the scene of the shooting.
They were going towards the railroad
station. have hesitated for three
hours over what ought to do, and at
last"
The colonel stepped towards him, and
sraised his two hands as if to clutch the
speakers throat, but he restrained his
fury and stood staring in Wrinkles
face.
~'What damnabie nonsense is this?"
he thurdered.
az have known for some time, colo
mel" answered Wrinkle, calmly, "that
s-she was falling in love with this fellow;
but could not feel that had the right
Ito speak"
Hasbrooke was as pale as death, and
he shook from head to foot as a man
with palsy. He put his hands behind
him and held them tightly one in the
other.
you have made a serious, culpable
mistake, SIR he said. 81 don't believe
my daughter has even a speaking ac-
-quaintance with Fanshaw-if she has
ahat-and as to your extravagant state
tment that you saw her"
II am your friend, Col. Hasbrooke,
protested the younger man, quickly,
s.and do not want to leave your house
until am assured that your daughtes
rs safe under your roof. Every minute
we are talking here may be valuable to
YOU. Let me beg of you to.ascertain il
she is at home"
You shall have your wish. sir" The
old mans step across the room to the
bell-pull was majestic AS he drew the
4 Siiken cord toward him he smiled.
You shall certainly have your proof
he said, and then"-the old soldier
looked significantly at the door Gne
Llbowed.