Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-03-19

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sionless face.
mo, the sheriff has jest now fetched
i'm home"
"Well, I feel ensier." sighed the old
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. I 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 see
the roof of Carnleigh.
81 am to blame" he sighed, sadly to
blame; what right had I to allow her
first to pity, then TO love me, when
have nothing to offer-nothing, abso-
lutely nothing, and she everything to
give?"
The colonel reached home later than
Ronald. Night was beginning TO fall.
and the big lamp at the top Of the car
riage-drive threw its rays far down
the tree bordered avenue as he drove
through the big wrought-iron gate. The
lamps in the hall and drawing-room,
under their vari-colored shades. cast n
beautiful glow on the veranda. AS he
entered the hall he fancied he saw
Evelyn fit out at the door at the end,
which opened into the conservatory.
Z
gone into the library, where there was
no other light than was made by the
huge wood fire, which famed and
cracked on the brazen dog-irons, for
she came from the conservatory by an
other door, bringing his smoking jack
ct and slippers: he knew that she had
had them ready, for she bad not had
time to go TO his room for them. His
heart sorely smote him as he kissed her
white face and noted the dark holows
under her eyes--eycs which absorbed the
red freight like diamonds. At any rate
he had good news for her. but the
thought pierced him like dagger to
think Of il as such. Despite himself. a
trown gathered on his brow. She
misunderstood il, and he saw her catch
her breath as she held his coat for him.
Neither Of them spoke, though
when she had knelt at his feet
and her white tapering fingers trem-
bled over their task of unacing
his shoes he felt an almost uncon-
trollable impulse 10 snatch her
to his breast and sob out the aw f,I re-
. bellion within him. When she had
taken off his shoes she smoothed out
, the wrinkles in his stockings and put
on his slippers, finishing her task with
n little sad pat as she rose to her feet.
"Ah. YOU vixep." he said. tremulous-
/ ly-"Evelyn. you are my baby" He
, looked towards the door. II have al
, ways given YOU more of my heart than
, ] have TO your sister, perhaps because
you have given me more Of yours, poor
{ dear child"
| The tears sprarg into her eyes. and
| she turned away quickly to table
where she had put cigar and match
: for him.
81 have rolled it and cut the end. :
q There was catch in her voice as sh'
scratched the match and held it to the
cigar.
I Thank you, baby" he said, as h,
puffed.
, For a moment she stood searching hi
face and then, as he did not speak, sh'
i said
II have waited as long as I can. papa
!, It seems to me that I shall die IL ] d.
not know the news. Is there an,
hope?"
He pushed out his knee and drew he
:, down on it. He felt that her body wa
4 rigid with expectancy.
Evelyn, you are my most helples
= child. l must do my duty towards 20,
in spite Of what you feel to be right"
l. She'slid her arm round his neck, bu
he knew that it did not clasp him wit
her usual tenderness.
1--WE can talk about that later" sh
said, "but I must know now what the
;, did. to him. Tell me. papa"
=, He averted his eyes; a scowl was o.
! his face.
a Don't torture me, papa; remember
=. am only woman"
y He raised his hand till il touched he
- head; he essayed to draw it dow
:. against his own, but she held hersel
q firmly erect.
- Don't torture me-" she repeated, a
; most threateningly.
a.. "Well, will not. he said. "Of cours
; 7 know what you want. The case wa
II thrown out Of court. II was prove
a that Sgd Hart accidentally shot himsel
> with his own pistol. Fanshaw was i
no way responsible. He is at home b.
this time, a free man."
/. He felt her gasp, and then her hea
i, fell on his shoulder, all the RICHNESS {
suspense was gone from her body; sh
>, lay like one dead. He thought she ha
a tainted, but moment later she stirred
- the color ran into her face, and 81
stood up before him.
D. "Oh, papa. oh, papa!" was all sh
could say. but world of unutterabl
JOY lay in her tone. His cigar had gon
l. out; he took a taper from vase o
;s the mantelpiece and lighted it at III
fire, and as he applied it to his ciga
10 he felt his anger returning TO him. III
u outlook seemed so hopeless. She coul
10 never be happy without Fanshaw-sh
, would be worse than miserable wit
u him, after she learned the folly OF h
e step. No, there must be some escap