Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-05
The World Against Him By WILL N. HARBEN.
 Copyright. 1900, by AN Kellogg Newspaper Company.

Ronald thanked him, surprised at his own calmness; the warm memory of Evelyn's face, as he had just seen it, in- spired him with strange, unexpected confidence in himself. The chair he had been given was quite near Has brooke's, and as the colonel continued to speak he leaned his head on his hand, his el- bow resting on his desk. This posture threw his face somewhat into the shadow. ---. "I may as we'll come directly to the point, MT. Fanshaw," in a forced, tense tone. s'To be frank, I find myself com pletely in your power, and, since it must be so, it is comfort to be in the power of fearless man. and one who would, I am confident, despise to take unfair advantage of me-
 T am sure do not underst tand," fall tered the visitor, in surprise. The old man twisted himself round in his chair; the lamplight brought his strong features out in minute lineality against the wall behind him.
 You have me, Mir. Fa4shaw, as com pletely in your power as if I lay at your feet and you held a saber against my heart My daughter has withheld noth- ing from me. Be her judgment good or ill, she loves you as she loves her life. She believed you have been greatly wrong nged-always misunderstood-and that has intensified her love- At first I was inclined to blame you for taking unfair advantage of her experience in worldly matters, but am now forced to admit that you have done nothing l should not have done had the woman been as attractive personally as my daughter. I know you must care for her, Fanshaw, and that is why have sent for you to unbosom mysef.'
 The speakers words had been grow ing more and more iDdistinct, until they finally died in the still room. Ron aid knew that he was expected to reply, but he could gather nothing beftting the moment from the mass of thoughts and emotions that seethed in his heart. At this point a bar of soft, ripping notes came from the piano, and they were caught up by sweet, well-trained voice singing 8 happy song. The old man held up his hand.
 You see how she feels, Fanshaw," he said, huskily; "since your arrest she has looked more dead than alive. was seriously afraid she would not survive. But you see how she is now; I told her the news just before supper, and she al- most fainted with joy. That is why I sent for you; I am unable alone to fight a love like hers. You and I must decide on what to do-between us!"
 'Between us,' repeated Ronald. still in the dark as to what was expected of him.
 Hasbrooke's face under the ordeal be- fore him took on the color of ashes, and as he began to speak again he picked the nap from the sleeve of his coat with the mechanical action of a dying man. Perhaps, Mir. Fanshaw, it may be as well to begin by our admitting that my social training has been different from yours. In my cradle I imbibed certain conventional ideas of the duty of a man of my name to his stock. From your standpoint, doubtless, l am wrong from mine, right. I am coming to the point, and l trust you will pardon me for being painfully plain. Fanshaw, as far back as my family records run-and we have volumes of them, sir-we have never found the line tainted with dis honor."
 Hasbrooke paused, taking a full breath. It was evident to Ronald that the climax was near, but he made no comment. The room was very still; out side of it could be heard only Evelyn's sweet, ringing notes. A vague, unac- countable despair had seized on the young mans heart. He knew not what was coming, but whatever it was would not be pleasant.
 
 seemed to pull himself up to his task with extra effort, If my daughter must marry and bring children into the world, should naturally desire the al- Eance to be with a man against whose family there had never been charge of -dishonesty!''
 Ronald breathed hard. The last word had fallen like powerful weight which crushed out the last bit ef hope he had ever had of fighting the worlds difficulties.
 II think l understand, Col. Has brooke,'' he heard his words iarring against the sweet floating sounds of Evelyn's voice, which was rising like happy prayer to heaven.
 The colonel leaned forward almost in an attitude of pity. f.
 Don't understand ne to say, Mir. Fanshaw," he said: ''that.I should de- mand z pedigree with my daughters husband, for I think there are good people who have not kept up their family records, but if I Rnew-actual- y knew of dishonesty in a family. that, sir, I should try to save my child from as l would from hereditary con- sumption or insanity. I had a. dear friend, MT. Fanshaw, in Virginia, who belonged to one of the best families distantly related to the Carnleighs. He had beautiful daughter who fell in love with self-made man, whose grandfather had been accused of dis honest dealings. My friend reluctant 2y gave his consent, but the only issue of that marriage, MT. Fanshaw, was a son who became an outlaw and broke the hearts of both his parents Par