Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-02-28


strain on her eyes produced blur In
her vision. He was almost out Of sight
now, and she went out on the veranda
to get a more extended view of the
road bending round the swamp. She
saw black Tobe, one Of her fathers
servants, coming up the avenue from
the road just traversed by Ronald.
Tobe had been to the post Office and
was bringing back bag Of letters and
papers. As he handed her the bag SHE
observed a half-frightened look in his
eyes.
"Tobe," she asked almost afraid to
trust her voice to calm expression,
"who Is the man on the white horse"'
"De oldest Fanshaw young man,
missile" was the answer.
what is he doing?" she asked, with
bated breath.
"He's powerfully upset, young miss.
He is doin' his level best to try ter gu
um all to let de sheriff tex i'm fur a
far trial. My Lawd! wish you coulo
a-heer dat young man talk; he sho is
bright"
"Are they paying any attention tt
him, Tobe?"
mot one speck, young miss; dey des
laugh in his face en- tell him dey will
hang him ef he fools wild EN-"
As Tobe went round the house to-
wards the negro quarter, Evelyn stood
holding the bag absent-mindedly. Her
heart was in the throat.
"How different he Is from the rest
Of men!" she thought. "Ah, he is my
hero! He is my hero! God bless him!"
She opened the bag and spread the
letters out on the hall table, their ad-
dresses upwards. There were five or
six for Capt. Wrinkle, all dainty pink,
white or blue scented envelopes, ad-
dressed in girlish handwritings. For
barely an instant slight sneer fitted
over her troubled face, and then she
turned back into the drawlng-room
She went again to the window. She
could see the white horse and its rider
coming back along the line Of men.
She could see Ronald gesticulating.
he took off his hat and
wiped his brow as if he were fatigued.
Evelyn felt a soft hand steal round
her waist and, knowing to whom it be-
longed, she simply pointed towards the
horseman.
"Do you see him, Mrs. Lancaster?"
she questioned, almost under her
breath.
"Who is it, dear?" asked her COM
panlon.
"Mr. Ronald Fanshaw." Evelyn
looked searchingly in the fair old
visage. Her voice had almost a tri.
umphant ring. "He is trying to per-
suade them to do right"
"How do you know, dear?"
Evelyn repeated what Tobe had said
and added:
81 want you to give your consent to
"Wbat is that, darling?"
"Come into the writing-room with
me. l am afraid you will object, and
yet so much may depend on i'll"
Mrs. Lancaster's face wore q frown
Of perplexity as she followed Evelyn
through the book-lined library into
little room adjoining. The girl sank
into a chair at the table and took up
o pen. She bit the end Of it nervously
as she glanced up at her friend.
81 want to send him line, only o
word, saying that I approve OF what
he is doing, and that I do not want
him to lose heart"
Mrs. Lancaster looked dubious AZ
she sat down at the table and leaned
her white head on her thin. blue-veined
hand.
'I don't think you ought to do 1t
your fathers consent" she
laid, still looking down.
Evelyn sighed deeply.
"He'd never consent-never; he'd not
my motive as 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
Eyn a steady look.
Remember, am your fathers guest.
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,
"He Is the only one among
all those people who is trying to do
right"
Mrs. Lancaster put her arm round
Evelyn's shoulders and gently took the
pen from her ngers.
~ love you as If you were my own
child, Evelyn. You are too young and
to see where all this is
leading. Oh, you must be carefuH II
there were no barriers between you 1t
would not be so bad. but under the ex-
sting circumstances l should be very
culpable to-to allow this. He Is
noble young man, and l like him
can't explain why like him SO much,
but l do"
With an impatient toss Of her head
Evelyn waived all arguments.
"If 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 compromise.
Suppose write to him over my own
name; will that do?"
A light kindled in Evelyn's eyes.
Eyes, that will do; oh, I'm so glad;
hurry upl"
Mrs. Lancaster dipped her pen, drew
a 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 laughingly folded