Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-03-12

treasured as to Wrinkles intentions.
Capt. Wrinkle started. 1t had flashed
upon him that he was being misundcr-
stood, and yet there was logged
something in his eyes which seemed to
say that little thing like a temporary
! misunde rstanding-- in so delicate
a matter-would amount to nothing as
an Offset against the humiliation
Evelyn's conduct had brought him.
Hasty reflection on this line made him
unusually blunt of speech.
"Yes, want TO talk TO YOU about her,
but not in the way you perhaps an
,icipate, Col. liasbrool<c," said the cap
| tain. almost patronzinqly. II felt it
my duty as personal friend Of yours
to come directly to you"
1T must be a proposal. after all"
thought the old gentleman. whose facs
was divesting itself of its look of per-
plexity. "the fellow is badly ratified"
III waved his hand towards the cap.
tain's chair and sat down himself.
Wrinkle took his scat and crossed his
tightly clad legs, his spurs jinglirg rs
he moved.
nov lGht, Nhpl' w lIhtt. NtuE
on the older man, that's always best;
ike the old way-a father has the big.
| gcst interest in a daughter after al az
! been said
! Wrinkles attention seemed not ia
/ fasten to this last remark.
May / ask if Miss Evelyn is at
home?" he asked. introductively.
Hasbrooke could not restrain smile.
/ lie told himself that lie had never
drcamt that Wrinkle would be knocked
off his feet by such fc4 mality, and yet
| il showed that the fellow was hard hit,
and that was what he ought to be.
II don't know" replied he, but" he
/ added, ''of course she is; she is never
/ out so late as this alone. and she went
| for a drive shortly after dinner. Shall
l send up your card?" The colonel
reached out for the old-fasLioned tas-
soled bcll-pull.
Il should like to know II she is at
home, for sure said Wrinkle; Tiff
she is, there can be no immed late dam
ger--though I feel certain"
"Danger!' calculated the colonel,
''what the devil do you mean. sir?"
Colonel. you may regard me as med
ding where | have no right. but fatter
myself that you cannot fail 70 appre-
ciate a thing done purely in your inter-
est and under sense of duty. The
truth is, I saw Miss Evelyn in the cart
with Ronald Fanshaw driving rapialy
away from the scene OF the shooting.
They were going towards the railroad
S.ufi lat.N Irei-u+al
hours over what I ought 70 do, and at
last"
The colonel stepped towards him. and
raised his two hands as if to clutch the
speakers throat. but he restrained his
fury and stood staring in Wrinkles
face.
What damnable nonsense is this?"
he Numbered.
81 have known for some time. colo
nell answered Wrinkle, calmly. that
she was falling in love with this fellow:
but ! could not feel that had the right
to speak"
Hasbrooke was as pale as death. and
he shook from head to foot as man
with palsy. He put his hands behind
him and held them tightly one in the
other.
You have made n serious. cu'pable
mistake. sir" he said. IL don't believe
my daughter has even a speaking ac-
quain,ance with Fanshaw--if she has
that-and as to your eXtravagant state
ment that You saw her"
II am your friend. Col. Hasbrooke,"
protested the Younger man. quick Y.