Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-03-07
CHAPTER N-CoNTINuED.

I have heard how hard you are strug-
Cling to fit yourself for your chosen
profession have been ashamed Of my
self for the idle, aimless life / am lead
ing, I have far more money than
can use, even II / were young, and you
see am getting old. Ifyou would only
allow me to instruct my banker to"
He understood what she intended to
say and the flush which had died out
CT his handsome face returned.
at il most kind Of you," he inter
rupted, "and under some circumstances
/ might be glad to avail myself Of your
benelolence, but in my struggles | have
found out that all the toll, all the saw
ing, all the deprivations have really
been best for me. Besides the worst
has passed. I find myself pretty sure
Of admittance to the bar, and have
really saved up enough to defray my
simple expenses for year or SO until
can get started"
Mrs. Lancaster looked crestfallen, but
she did not press her point.
"Then l can only hope and pray that
all success may come your way, and
perfect happiness" (she suddenly
thought Of Evelyn and sighed).
He seemed to be reading her
thoughts, for he started and grave
expression took hold of his features.
The color ran out of his face.
81 have made up my mind" he said,
simply, "that am never to have ideal
happiness-the sort Of happiness that
comes to some fortunate people and
never to others"
She was sure that he was al,uding
pointedly to Evelyn, and she felt a
sharp tug at her heart-strings. Her
eyes seemed to melt on his face; he was
80 like her dead husband, the sound
Of his voice was sweeter than lost
chord from some heavenly choir. She
stood up and, offering her hand, she
pressed his fingers tightly.
"If had my way you should have
all your DESIRES" she said, with a lit
tie catch in her voice; ''all, every one
Of them, including the love OF the
truest, purest girl that ever lived"
Then she saw his strength give way;
abe felt his hand quiver and grow
limp in her clasp; his face was working
under tense emotion.
~ do not allow myself to think OF
that" he said, with sudden frmness
THAT has been only a dream Of mine,
q hopeless, vain dream, sent to teach me
how grimly real life Is"
Tears spnng into Mrs. Lancaster's
eyes and she choked up.
"You must not lose hope" she al,
most sobbed, as she wrung his hand
and then quickly released it.
He laughed bitterly. al never called
It hope at any time," he said. "She
has only been my dream"
She had reached the door and was
looking out into the yard where old
Fanshaw, in his united brogans, hick'
ory shirt and jeans pants, was oiling
the axles Of q wagon under an apple
tree. She overheard the low voices OF
his two daughters on the porch and
Mrs. Fanshaw's heavy tread In the ad,
joining sittlng-room.
Remember" said Mrs. Lancaster,
shat you have . true friend over
there"
Thank you" he replied as she passed
ont. He escorted her, hat In hand, to
the cart and assisted her to her seat.
Then, with q twitching lip, he stood
watching the cart as it rolled away.
Evelyn was in the garden gathering
flowers for the dining-table when her
friend returned. She held her arms
,>all of them when the old lady aiight-
I'd and came down the walk to her.
Evelyn studied her face in astonish-
ment.
"Why, dear Mrs. Lancaster!" she ex-
claimed, you have been crying"
The old woman wiped her red eyes
and began to shed fresh tears.
"He is so like my husband" she said,
huskily. $50 noble; such grand char
acter."
Evelyn's face lighted up. II have al
ways known that, Mrs. Lancaster. Now
you must tell me all that took Place
mind, every word that you said and
every word he said" Evelyn drew her
down on a rustic seat; her whole body
seemed ready to listen. Mrs. Lancaster
told her of her offer to aid Ronald and
Evelyn broke out, impulsive,y:
"And he refused to accept it! Icould
have told you that"
ayes, he refused" and Mrs. Lancas-
ter gave his reasons in detail. Evelyn
raised a bunch Of pink roses to her
face; they were the color Of her cheeks.
Nothing" she said, with conviction,
nothing under high heaven can keep
q map down with such God-given pur-
pose as that"
For a moment the two friends were
silent, then Mrs. Lancaster caught
Evelyp's hand and pressed 1t tenderly.
81 made a little discovery this morn
ing" she said.
Evelyn caught her eye and smiled
still knowingly.
"You have discovered that he loves
me; l knew that long time ago, and
II has made me unspeakably happy"
"I discovered further" pursued Mrs,
Lancaster, that he does not hope ever
to win you." Mrs. Lancaster's lips
twitched a little. at Is that which
pains me so much. He looked so grand
when he made that admission. al
most cried in his presence"
HE does not hope?" said Evelyn
and then she caught her breath. low
cred her head and began to gather up
her flowers. "He does not hope?" she
repeated the words as II to herself, and
Mrs. Lancaster rose and followed her
I'D the walk to the house, and as the
girl, with bowed head and rigid mien
passed into the grand hall Mrs. Lancas'
ter began to think that Evelyn herself
had never really hoped.
Seeing that no one was IN the hall
EVELYN wheeled round suddenly.
81 have never once thought that /
that my love would be essential to bis
well-being-his happiness" she said
looking up into the expectant face OF