Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-03-05
CHAPTER TX.

The guests ard family at Carnlcirh
usually came down to breakfast irregu-
larly, but this morning by eight o'clock
they were all at the table. including
Evelyn. The colonel, who had been out
for an early business walk with one of
his oversecrs. was the last TO sit down.
Ard as be took his place at the head
of the table he had the dir Of Il man.
anxious to be questioned. He had
picked up piece of news.
/ WELL" he began, with twinliling
eyes, "it seems that Ronald Fanshaw
was not spending his breath and\rid-
ing his horse TO death for nothing"
80 he reached the Jail all right, did
he?" inquired Mr.. Hardy. as he put n
spoonful OF whipped cream into his cof
fee.
"Ob. yes, he made that trip all right,
but the news has just come from Wilkin
Station, ON the other side of the noun
tain. that negro has been arrested
who has already confessed 10 the crime
Of killing the old woman
$50 the boy was innocent, after ALL"
cried Hardy.
Eyes; the sheriff nabbed the wrong
bird at the start, and If it had not been
for Fanshaw his body would have been
swinging at the sport of the wind this
morning.
And a widowed mother would have
been without her SON." put in Mrs. Lam
caster, with telling effect.
"Fanshaw did only what any man
would have done who believed in the
prisoners innocence. said Capt. Win
kle, with an icy smile at no one in par
ticuar.
But Mrs. Lancaster was more than a
match for him. Its only what one
man did do," she retorted. Thereupon
Winkle stirred his coffee in moody ST.
lcnce.
Il am sorry it was Ronald Fanshaw
who is to get all the credit" remarked
Caroline Hasbrooke. coldlv. "Since he
has taken up the study of law it looks MS
if he has pretty good iGea Of III, i'm
portance. Things are coming 20 pref
ty pass when such people a. tie Far
shaws get into the proto sion, usually
held by gentlemen
Don't kick agaiust ;hc prrhe" lit
was a favorite expression cf ter f.
ther's), 1.-THE common people have been
rising into prominence since the birth
Of creation"
And the better class has been degcn-
Grating" remarked Mr.. Hardy. with n
slow smile. "As far as am concerned.
I'd rather employ man like Fanshaw
to defend ne, if were on trial for my
life. than some man with more ancestry
and less individual force
Bravo. bicn dit" applauded Mrs
Lancaster. and she rosr to accompany
Evelyn out on the lawn.
The dew lay as leavy as raindrops on
the grass a+1d hung like sciEtilatirg
gems from the gorgeous ollyhocks, the
Indian chieftains, and the roses fared
like pillows of red on the silvery green
sward of the sloping terraces. Mrs.
Lancaster was first TO break he silence
: 81 reed not tell You I'm glad that boy
was innocent" she began. II am espe-
cially glad because it emphasizes the
nobility of Mr.. Fanshaw's act. | am Co
ing to drive over 10 his house in the pony
cart this morning. ] have cthiug 20
say to him"
Evelyn raised her great eyes in aston
ishment, but she uttered no comment.
Mrs. Lancastcrs voice shook per-
eeptibly as she vent on:
Nothing has ever affected me 50
powerfully rs all thi, has. Last
night the imprisoned fervor OF his
voice while he was speaking down
there bI ought back some of the ten
uerest and saddcst recollectiOns of my
young married life, 1t reminded me
of speech in favor of secession that
my husband made. just before the
war broke out. There seemed to be
ring III Mr.. Fanshaws tones like my
husbands. It. may have been only
my imagination, and the great dis
lance, but it drove ne nearly wild
with the old pain And last night
in thinking OF Mr.. Fanshaws danger,
it seemed to be my husband who was
in peril. Really, l did not sleep
wink. | went to the window a hun
dred times. | saw Mr. Fanshaw re-
turning this morning" and then ! drew
my first easy breath Oh, Evclyn!"
(Mrs. Lancaster WAS gazing into the
girls eyes, what is the matter with
both of u.s."
Evelyn shook her head; her rich
abundan, hair gli>tening like threads
of FURNISHED gold IN the sun.
81 know what's the matter with me"
she said, with a little laugh Il hope
something else is wrong with YOU"
Mrs, Lancaster sighed. "When get
back from his house | may tell you
what | am going for, but | shall not
now-no. | shall not now"
Mrs. Lancaster had several times
taken short drives in the pony cart
which was always al the disposal of
the guests OF Carnleieh, and so, when
she ordered il out NJ ten o'clock, 10
one made any comment As she
drove up near the dilapidated domi-
Gle Of the Fanshaws she began 10
shrink from her intentions. The place
certainly presented torn-down, for
bidding aspect, In front. not twenty
yards from the porch, was a decayiug
rail fence and gate that sagged to
the earth. INC roof Of the porch was
low and hat, dank and moss-grown,
and on it lay some pieces Of ragged
Cast-off clothing on which two or three
Lac -.