Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-01-25
The World Against Him
By WILL N. HARDEN.
Copyright, 1000. BY
A. N. Kellogg Newspaper Company.
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
It was about six o'clock that after
noon when the sheriff put Ronald down
at home. Dave had ridden close be-
hind the buggy all the way. Now and
then, when passing some acquaintance
on the road or in distant field, he
would wave his slouched hat and give
a yell that would have done credit to
the lungs of savage. When they ar
rived at home he fastened the bride
reins 10 a post and sprang over the
fence into the yard. Old Fanshaw sat
nodding, half asleep, on the porch in a
spot where the last rays of the slant
ing sunlight were falling; he was well
wrapped up in a ragged greatcoat and
wore a cap, the flaps of which COW
cred his ears.
IRONS come cleer!" Dave shouted to
him, and seeing his sister at the small
paned window, he yelled the same words
to her.
ST know better" grunted Fanshaw,
: who, being short-sighted, had not noted
the arrival Of the buggy. "Come cleer
the DEVIL"
"Well, thar he is oHt thar with Rat
Cliff" Dave assured him. "Ax the sher-
if, if you think I'm a-lyin'."
With a hand on either side Of his
chair, the old man got to his feet. His
legs shook at the knees, and he put his
hand on the railing. Then he saw Ron
aid approaching, and he stood still, his
features working strangely.
whats this 1 heer?" he stammered,
his few remaining teeth showing be-
tween his tobacco-stained lips.
SIT was proved that he killed himself
accidentally with his own revolver %
? our hero informed him.
"Huh, it is jest some lawyers trick!"
growled the man. who had not felt
enough interest in the matter to attend
the trial, and he tottered down the
steps calling in a sort of human bark
to Ratcliff, who was driving away. he
was bent on getting confirmation of
the story from some one outside of his
family.
Ronald passed into the house and
went up to his room. His heart, de-
spite his recent triumph, was beginning
to feel heavy again. No sooner was he
assured of freedom than dire thoughts
of Evelyn came focking to his wearied
brain. He was free, it was true, but
she had, no doubt, brought her fathers
wrath down upon her head. He stood
at a window watching the sunlight
climb up the side of a rugged cliff mile
toward the east. He heard the shrill
voice off ANN Josephine out near the
corn house.
''Oh, mai" she was calling, "Ron's
come cleer-Ron's come cleeri"
Our hero could see his mothers ro-
tund figure as she emerged from the
corn house and waddled towards the
hog-pen, her apron filed with apples
''Ain't you jokin', Josie?" she asked
and her son wondered at her expires.
sionless face.
mo, the sheriff has jest now fetched
i'm home"
"Well, feel easier" sighed the ole
woman. I'm glad thar amt goin
to be no hangin' amongst us. The Lord
knows we've had mighty nigh ever
thing else to happen to us. Ever since
yore gran'pa was put in Jail. have
looked for yore pa or one O. the boys
to-"
Ronald turned from the window; his
heart was very heavy. He was thinking
of Evelyn again, and the gulf between
him and her. All, how he loved her!
He crossed the room and stood at an
other window from which he could SET
the roof of Carnleigh.
81 am to blame" he sighed. sadly t.
blame; what right had to allow he1
first to pity, then to love me, whe1
have nothing to offer-Eothing, abso
iutely nothing, and she everything tt
give?"
The colonel reached home later thar
Ronald. Night was beginning to fall
and the big lamp at the top of the car
riage-drive threw its rays far dow1
the tree-borGered avenue as he drov,
through the big wrought-iron gate. Th'
lamps in the hall and drawing-room
under their yari-colored shades, cast
beautiful glow on the veranda. AS b,
entered the hall he fancied he say
Evelyn fit out at the door at the end
which opened into the conservatory
He was assured of this when he ha,
gone into the library, where there wa
70 other light than was made by tn
hinge wood fire, which famed an,
cracked on the brazen dog-irons, TO
she came from the conservatory by an
other door, bringing his smoking jack
ct and slippers; he knew that she ha