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

In the doorway to give half an ear TO
Caroline, who was listlessly playing the
piano. Her music had never touched
him as had Evelyn's. Evelyn's songs--
her lightest touch--seemed to invite the
sweetest memories to his heart. Caro-
line looked up and saw him standing
in the doorway.
Father" she turned on the stool.
"Mr. Hardy has written asking me TO
marry him; he says he will write to
YOU If I encourage him to do So"
Hasbrooke advanced till he stood be-
hind her. Somehow he had little in
clinaton to touch this one Of his daugh-
ters. well" he asked. "have you
thought it over?"
Caroline turned page Of her music
book leisurely.
"I like him as we'll ms ! ever liked
anybody" she said, slowly. "Yonknow
he is well off; he has nice home-the
Hardys are good people. I have al
ways wanted 10 live in Charleston"
"Then write him it is all right" re-
turned Hasbrookc, YEARLY. and they
went in to supper. Evelyn came down
a moment later. Her father wondered
at the transformation in her. In her
evening dress. she looked like flower
which had never been touched by
storm.
After they had left the table she
followed him to the door of his study,
but he coldly begged to be left alone,
and asked her to send James to him.
The servant found him at his desk.
81 want you to bear a message for
me, James, he said. II want to have
private talk with Mr.. Ronald Fanshaw.
60 over to his house and present my
compliments. and ask him if he will
DO me the honor of calling on me this
evening If he has no previous engage
ment. You remember my exact words,
james,"
The servant repeated them.
THAT will do. and when he comes
show him into this room, and see that
we are not disturbed
~Thank you, sub
About eight o'clock Ronald rode up
TO Carnlcigh and turned his horse over
to waiting groom At the foot Of the
steps he was met by James. who, in a
low. guarded voice, invited him into his
masters study. AS he passed the win
Cow of the drawing-room The young
man had a hashlight view of Evelyn as
she sat reading at the center table I'M
Ger tall lamp with pink shade. lie
| had never seen her countenance so ra-
: dainty aglow. The thought took pos
session OF his brain that it was due 70
his release from prison. and that idea
+ was infinitely sweet TO him after what
he had been forced TO endure.
AS he entered the colonies study,
from the walls of which family por'
traits leaned downward in deep, old
fashioned gilt frames, a casual observer
l would have taken him for a man of the
world rather than man whose life ex
periences were bounded by the limits OF
n single county.
First Of ALL said the colonel. as hi
extended his hand, stiffly. 81 must con
graduate you upon your escape from
that disagreeable affair. l was rejocet
Mt the outcome
e Ronald thanked him, surprised al his
own calmness: the warm memory o.
IsNtII IL ldtt. az Ilt udtA ,Jis' S'cI ~ III
spired him with strange, unexpected
confidence in himself. The chair he hat
y been given was quite near Hasbrooke's
t and AS the colonel continued TO speal
he leaned his head on his hand, his el
l. bow resting on his desk. This postur,
o threw his face somewhat into tn,
' shadow.
II may as well come directly to th'
r point, Mr. Fanshaw." in forced, tens
$ tone. "To be frank. I find myself com
pletely in your power. and, since il mus
Is be SO. it is a comfort to be in the powc
u of fearless man. and one who would
I nm confident, despise to take unfai
u advantage of me"
IL am sure l do not understand" fal
tered the visitor. in surprise.
e The OLD man twisted himself roun'
y in his chair; the lamplight brought hi
strong features out in minute linealit.
II against the wall behind him.
you have me, Mr.. Fanshaw, as com
petely in your power as If lay at you
feet and you held a saber against m
= heart. My daughter has withheld moth
"a ing from me. he her judgment good o
IL ill., she loves you as she loves her life
She believed you have been great
i wronged-always misunderstood-an
that has intensified her love. At first
Sc was inclined to blame You for takin
IS IN fair advantage of her experience i
u worldly matters, but am now forced t
II admit that you have done nothing
N should not have done had the woma
y been rs attractive personally as m
daughter. / know you must care 70
"a her, Fanshaw. and that is why hav
Oh sent for you to unbosom myself"
'ss The speakers words had been grow
~ ing more and more indistinct, unit
- they finally died in the still room. Ror
nc aid knew that he was expected to reply
but he could gather nothing befittin
,e the moment from the mass of thought
ie and emotions that seethed In his hear
lie At this point bar of soft, ripplin
III notes came from the piano. and the
1t were caught up by sweet, well-traine
AZ voice singing happy song. The ol
10 man held up his hand.
:" "You see how she feels, Fanshaw,
~. =. he said, huskily; "siuce your arrest sh
VI has looked more dead than alive. wa
" seriously afraid she would not surviv
~ nut Won 600 how he iS now. I told hp