The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-03-07

heard you were In prison II almost
drove me Wild. Evelyn wrote me
about your arrest. and then II was
a week before I learned Of your re-
lease. Ny name is Elizabeth: I gave
your father that silver tobacco-box;
and, moreover. lost you exactly where
you were taken during the war.
am 40 happyi am actually afraid my
10Y will kill me-"
She began 10 cry silently. and In his
sesire 10 comfort her he found him
fclf claspirg her hand and stroking
back the white hair from her brow.
"And I'm glad you are my mother"
he said. simply. "You have been my
ideal woman ever since that day you
came TO see me-"
They sat together foC an hour. max
| ing plans for the future.
"Evelyn and I are go'1g TO spend
next year abroad" she told him, ''and
you are going with US. Col. Hasbrcoke
ssys be IL too old for the journey snd
we shall need . man."
His face ciouded for the first time
during the interview.
"But Col. Hasbrooke-"
"He 4. simply wild TO call you SON
in-law," Mrs. Lancaster broke In. with
q laugh. Evelyn has been almost
dead with sorrow since he separated
you. I really believe he was coming
round anyway. Yesterday he said q
great deal about your nobility Of char
scter aud talent. He always listens to
me, and I told him there was nothing
to be done but TO let you have her.
But that reminds me; she Is waiting
TO see you. Poor, dear child! ! never
was SO sclfish-so thoughtless. I'm
going TO send her 10 you"
She rose and he nervously held her
hands, a fixed look on his face.
"Arc you sure" he faltered. shat
have the right tot"
His mother drew herself up TO her
full height. you are a Lancaster,
she said. proudly.
When she had passed through the
heavy curtains obscuring a room IN
the rear, he sat for several minr;e,
fairly dazed by what had taken pl..ce
Ills rcveric was disturbed by the com
ing of Evelyn. a flush was ON he
slightly attenuatcd face. and her eye
were red and sparklcd as il she ha,
been crying. but she came to him will
n firm, confident step, and put botI
, her hands in his.
''lt IL all so wonderful" she q: ID
simply. II am actually too choked a
to speak. I've been laughing, crying
end douhting the truth Of IL by turn
ever since Mr.. Redding went away
! at seems like a lream to me-" b
! made answer. 81 am afraid sll
wake and find myself back in my Ittl
l. room over there on the farm"
"Mrs. Lancaster told me just now,
said Evelyn, "that she had forgotic
TO tell you your given name. Sh
asked me to inform you. but hat
to pronounce II. shall never ca
you anything but Ronald. Will tha
suit you. sir?"
. They were seated side by side o
the sofa.
81 stall never want you 10 call m
anything else" he smiled; "but mui
own up 10 n little curiosity as TO whi
am legally entitled to-"
"Chailes Erskine," answered Evely,
Mrs. Lancaster was a Miss Erskin
How do you like it?"
'It's not bad" he laughed; "pc
haps I may grow up to Il In time"
just then Basbrooke looked in ,
the door and limped towards them. a
almost boyish look Of embarrassmei
on his face.
81 am going to beg your forgivcnei
for what I said the last time you wei
here" he said.
"I did not blame you, Col. Ha
brooke" was the reply.
But ] blame you" Evelyn turns
n on Ronald. suddenly. "If had know
.e your stupid reasons for giving me 4
II / should never have consentcd-neve
d ! thought IL was because-becausc yo
,r thought me too great a responsible
d ity, nnd burden"
l. well. settle Il between you" smii,
y her father. And when he had quit,
IL the room they did.
l. THE END.