The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-02-21
The World Against Him
BY WILL N. HARDEN.
copyvieht, 10. By
a. \. 1slioss Nevspapss Company.
CHAPTER Ix.-CoSrNuEp.

Mrs. Lancaster had several times
taken short drives In the pony cart,
which was always at the disposal OF
the guests Of Carnleigh, and so, when
she ordered IL out at ten o'clock, no
one made any comment. As she
drove up near the dilapidated domi-
cilc Of the Fanshaws she began to
shrink from her intentions. Tho place
certainly presented n torn-down, for
bidding aspect. In front, not twenty
yards from the porch, was q decaying
rail fence and gate that sagged to
the earth. The roof Of the porch was
low and nat, dank and moss-grown,
and on Il lay some pieces Of ragged
cast-off clothing on which two or three
cats lay sleeping in the sun. The two
sisters half lay, half sat on the porch,
ana Mrs. Fanshaw stood In the front
doorway, her dull gaze on the cart
and It's inmate. The dogs sprnng
from under the house and ran bark.
ing furiously to the gate, and Mrs.
Fanshaw, thinking that the lady had
stopped TO ask some question about
the road. rs passers-by often did,
shambled down the steps and out TO
the cart. She succeeded in driving the
dogs back, and then leaned over the
gate expectantly.
81 called to see Mr.. Ronald Fan
,haw." announced the visitor; "is he ut
hcme?"
ayes, mn'am," answered Mrs. Fam
shaw; "hc was up In his room jest
now. Won't you light an come in?"
The room into which the aristo-
cratic caller was ushered had a worn
scrap of carpet from the door to the
big, socty fireplace. There were on
the walls several warped chromos and
crudely enlarged crayon portraits OF
Fanshaw nnd his wife, also photo
graphs of every member Of the fam.
lily except Ronald, who had never
cared to have his picture taken. Mrs.
Fanshaw gave the visitor q turkey
wing fan, and brought in some fresh
water. Mrs. Lancaster was slipping
IL from the edge Of the big cracked
tumbler when Ronald came down the
narrow crealling stairs and entered
the room.
"You may not know who am
began Mrs. Lancaster, rs he stood
waiting for her TO resume her chair
after she lad risen and given him her
hand.
"You may rest assured, madam, that
every body in this neighborhood knows
you, at least by sight. The poor and
needy have good cause for remember
ing you"
She started at the sound Of hi'
voice and stared at him for fully a
minute; her eyes were expanded In
surprise, and she seemed unable to re
ply to his compliment. She put hel
handkerchief TO her quivering lips
and when she finally spoke It was will
Q visible effort at self-contr,i.
II hope you will pardon me-" sh'
fnltered, "but your voice is so lik'
that of . dear one who was taker
from me q long time agony hus
band, who met n tragic death dur
ing the war. Last night when
heard you speaking In the distance
was reminded of him, and now-oh
II IL very silly OF me, but-you can
Imagine how much your voice re
sembles his, and" (the speaker swal
lowed something which seemed Il
stick in her throat "then your hair
and eyes, and hands remind me of hi
500 very much"
Ronald had flushed red, and seemed
at loss how to proceed.
II am sorry" he said, finally, III an.
features of mine bring up sad recol
lcctions."
"I am q silly goose" the visito
said, with n little laugh, which was no
quite her own. ~ hope you receives
the note wrote you yesterday"'
Ronald bowed. ut was the one thin
which sustained me-made me wor
ON TO the end. I almost lost hone yes
terday afternoon. There was not
man on my side, even the sherin wa
afraid to open his mouth. A dozen me
had threatened to kill me-"
II was almost sorry ! advised 20
10 try TO save him, Mr.. Fan shaw, whe
the climax was reached and i realize
your own peril; but now that you hav
triumphed am glad / wrote !ou-oi
so glad! For your work last nigh
has shown me what noble man 20
are, and"
III think" he said, seeing that sh
was not going to proceed, that tn
usual haste In such matters Is not du
10 the evil natures Of these people
but TO certain inability to believe
the innocence Of q man accused as tn
one was"
ut IL certainly good OF you to defen
them as you do" said the old lady, hi
eyes still bent eagerly, searchingly q
his face. "You have heard perhaps
the capture and confession of the rel
criminal?"
He told her he had just received II
news.
"Then," she went on, "the boy wi
be released, will he not?"
"Oh, at once, OF course!"
"Do you intend to see him before !
leaves?"
Ronald told her he was going to rit
10 town and persuade the prisoner
finish his journey by rail.
"Ah, I am SO glad. for that Is whit
1 Ieame to see you about. Ihaye brougl
him q little gift; I understand h
mother IL old and needy. I hope II wi
not trouble you to deliver IL to him."
II shall do II with . great deal
pleasure" ne told her.
A she gave him the roll OF bill
which she took from her purse h
eyes steadied themselves on his face.
"There IL another thing, Mr.. Fa
shaw" she faitered. ~ hope you WI
forgive me II am presuming, but sin'
have heard how hard you are stru
Cling to At yourself for your chos'