Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-01

's'. NNO
 Fanshaw had killed him, it was natur- al that 1 should think"
 "You shall be convinced. sir,'' burst from Hasbrooke's lips, "that you have had an attack of blindness that is dan gerous to the reputa ton of honorable womer!"
 1 shall not dispute with you, solonel," said Wrinkle, in a conciliatory tone; "but passed as near them as l am to you now. I shall leave it to her. She will not deny my statement"
 The old officer shrugged his shoul ders in stern unbelief. and five minutes of sulleni silence bore down on the two men. It was lifted by the approach of Evelyn. Both men were on their feet as she entered the room. Capt. Wrinkle bowed low, but no word of greeting passed his lips. Her father placed chair for her, but she signified her de- sire to stand. Her lip curled with dis dain as her eyes fell on Wrinkles face, and then she gave her undivided at- tention to her father.
 You are to decide point between Capt. Wrinkle and myself,''. began the old man, as he released her hands, which he had taken to lead her to the chair. "He is sure he saw you in the cart with Fanshaw, driving away from the scene of the tragedy. I, of course, firmly denied it.'
 Evelyn held her head high, her arms tightly folded;- she seemed to have stopped breathing.
 Capt. Wrinkle is quite right" she an- swered, in a low, tense tone.
 The colonel reeled as if he were dizzy. For the ensuing moment there was no other sound in the room save his labored breathing. Suddenly he steadied himself before her, his eyes expanded.
 Are you crazy, my child?" he blurt- ed out.
 ."Almost!" Evelyn laughed barshly "The only manI ever loved as women love once in their lives is facing, the most horrible crisis of his existence. happened to meet him on his way to give himself up to the sheriff, and, as I love him and wanted to be with him as much as possible, to comfort ehirn, and assure him of,my fidelity, I insisted on i driving him to Ratchffs. He begged me not to insist Oh it, but would have it so. If you cast me off million times ] shall have all the more heart to be- stow on him-the more pity in his sor- row!"
 The old soldier seemed to wither like plant under fierce heat; his hands hung Imply at his sides for moment, and then he drew himself up as erect as 1N T
 itor.
 You have rendered me a. valuable service, Capt. Wiukle,' he said distant ly, "and hope some day to be able to show better appreciation for it.'' He moved backward to the bell pull. his eyes studiously avoiding those of his child.
 "Capt. Wrinkles horse!' he called out to the servant. His words rang like pieces of falling metal.
 When Wrinkle had gone, Hasbrooke stood for moment eying his daughter sorrowfully, then he sank into his big revolving chair and lowered his head to. the desk. Evelyn looked down on him pityingly, and then she stepped to him and laid a cold white hand on his head. Father" her voice cut sharply into the silence. ''I love you as fondly as any daughter ever loved a father, but as sure as God is in Heaven that love will die-you will kill it if you turn against me in my first hour of actual woe! am suffering for the man love as I never fancied even a lost soul could suffer, and yet you have no pity for me. You demanded more in your daugh- ter, but tell you demand more in father! God made me love Ronald Fan shaw; He did it by opening my eyes to his greatness of mind and character will not allow you to insult him by your tears." her voice rose to sharp command and. she stamped her small foot. q will not, I say!" The white head was raised. The old mans eyes gleamed with the fires of despair; but as they rested onthe calm, undaunted face of his best-loved child their glance wavered.s
 Do you mean that, Evelyn-my God--are you in earnest?"
 ''Thoroughly in earnest, father; you have often told me about the strenfth of the Carnleigh women in their love. Would the Carnleigh you welded have allowed her father to weep because of her love for you?'' E The colonel stretched out Two trem- bling hands and took hers in his grasp. .'Yon are right, my. daughter, in a ! way"-he kissed ghen lightly o4 tha brow iHt6t ran right, to1.- 1arden nc if hAxs besn lmpolfte: you and l 1AA4-n1x48 fGA . ,dlAlgxesEaaRt tefQEss.