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

her waist and. knowing to whom it be
lonsed, she simply pointed towards the
horseman.
do you see him, Mrs. Lancaster"
she questioned, almost under her
breath.
who is it, dcar?" asked her com
panion.
"Mr Ronald Fanshaw." Evelyn
looked scarchingly in the fair old
visage. Her voice had almost tri.
umpbant ring. "IIe is trying to per-
suadc them TO do right"
"How do you know. dear?"
Evelyn repeated what lobe had said
and added:
II want you to give your consent to
something"
what is that. darling?"
Come into the writing-room with
me. | am afraid you will object. and
yet so much may depend on it"
Mrs. Lancaster's face wore frown
Of perpleXity as she followed Evelyn
through the book-lined library into a
little room adjoining. The girl sank
iuto a chair at the table and took up
pen. She bit the end of it nervousl y
as she glanced up at her friend.
81 want to send him line. only a
word, saying that ] approve Of what
he is doing, and that | do not want
him TO lose heart"
Mrs. Lancaster looked dubious as
she sat down at the bic and leaned
her white head on her thin, blue-veined
hand.
81 don't think You ought to 90 it
without your father. consent" she
said. still looking down.
Evelyn sighed deeply.
He'd never consent-never: he'd not
understand my motive a. YOU do: he'd
be perfectly unreasonable. but do not
want you to oppose me-that Is, | don't
want to do anything without your con-
sent"
The woman addressed now gave Eve
lyn n steady look.
Rene m Der. am your fathers guest
l know how you feel. and if | thought
it would be quite right | would"
you have no idea how little encour-
agement he gets" interrupted Evelyn,
impulsively. ''Hc is the only one among
all those people who is trying to do
right"
Mrs. Lancaster put her arm round
Evclyn's shoulders and gently took the
pen from her ngers.
81 love you as if YOU were my own
child, Evelyn. You are too young and
inexperienced to see where all this is
leading. Oh, you must be careful. If
there were no barriers between you it
would not be so bad, but under the eX
isting circumstances | should be very
culpable toto allow this. He is n
mobile young man. and l like him
can't explain why like him so much,
but | do"
With an impatient toss Of her head
Evelyn waived all arguments.
eff an innocent man should be killed
to-day" she said. firmly, you Will be
sorry we did not do something towards
averting his fate"
Mrs. Lancaster shrank back little.
and then she became very thoughtful.
Presently she suggested a compromise.
"S+ppose write TO him over my own
name; will that do?"
A light kindled in Evelvn's eyes.
"Yes. that will do; oh, I'm so glad;
hurry up"
Mrs. Lancaster dipped her pen. drew
n sheet of paper towards her and wrote
as follows:
"God bless you and help you succeed
in your noble effort. Our prayers are
with you.--Mrs. Lancaster"
Evelyn was reading over her shoulder,
and When the writing was done she
kissed Mrs. Lancaster on the cheek.
For that one word, She chuckled.
What word do you mean ," asked her
companion.
Taking the pen. Evelyn underscored
the word our" and laughngly folded
the paper.
"Perhaps # ought not TO go that
way protested Mrs. Lancaster. but
Evelyn only continued 10 laugh slyly,
as she thrust the note into an envelope
and held it under the old lady's eyes.
"Ronald Fanshaw. Esquire" she die
tated, firmly, and with sigh Mrs. Ian
caster reluctantly complied.
\ moment later Evelyn had slipped
out into the negro quarter and called
lobe from his cabin.
Take il TO Mr.. Ronald Fan shaw" she
said, land do not say a word about it
to anyone. Mind, 10 10 one--uot
soul!"