Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-03-21
CHAPTER XVI.

would wave his slouched hat and give
a veil that would have done credit to
the lungs of a savage. When they ar
rived at home he fastened the bride
reins 10 a post and sprapg over the
fence into the yard. Old Fanshaw sat
uodding, half asleep, on the porch In a
spot where the last rays Of the slant
Ing sunlight were falling; he was well
wrapped up In ragged greatcoat and
wore a cap, the flaps Of which COW
cred his ears.
"Ron's come cleer!" Dave shouted to
him, and seeing his sister at the small
paned window, he yelled the same words
to her.
81 know better" grunted Fanshaw,
who, being short-sighted, had not noted
the arrival Of the buggy. "Come cleer
the deyill"
"Well, thar he Is out thar with Rat
cllff," Dave assured him. AK the sher-
iff, II you think I'm a-lyin'."
With q hand on either side Of his
chair, the old man got to his feet. His
legs shook at the knees, and he put his
hand ON the railing. Then he saw Ron
aid approaching, and he stood still, his
features working strangely.
"What's this 1 beer?" he stammered,
his few remaining teeth showing be-
tween his tobacco-stained lips.
at was proved that he killed himself
accidentally with his own revolver"
our hero informed him.
"Huh, II Is jest some lawyers trick!"
growled the man. who had not felt
enough interest in the matter to attend
the trial, and he tottered down the
steps calling in sort Of human bark
to Ratclifi, who was driving away. He
was bent on getting confirmation OF
the story from some one outside Of his
family.
Ronald passed into the house and
went up to his room. His heart, de-
spite his recent triumph, was beginning
to feel heavy again. No sooner was he
assured Of freedom than dire thoughts
OF Evelyn came flocking 10 his wearied
brain. He was free, II was true. but
she had, no doubt, brought her fathers
wrath down upon her head. He stood
at a window watching the sunlight
climb up the side of rugged cliff mile
toward the east. He heard the shrill
voice of Ann Josephine out near the
corn house.
"Oh, NAL" she was calling, "Ron's
come cleer-Ron's come cleer!"
Our hero could see his mothers re-
tund figure as she emerged from the
corn house and waddled towards the
hog-pen, her apron filled with apples.
"Ain't you jokin', Josie?" she asked,
and her son wondered at her express
sionless face.
"No, the sheriff has jest now fetched
i'm home"
"well, l feel easier" sighed the old
woman. "I'm glad thar ain't goin'
to be no hangin' amongst US. The Lord
knows we've had mighty nigh ever
thing else to happen to us. Ever since
yore gran'pa was put in Jail, l have
looked for yore pa or one O. the boys,
to"
Ronald turned from the window; his
heart was very heavy. He was thinking
Of Evelyn again, and the gulf between
him and her. All, how he loved her!
He crossed the room and stood at an
other window from which he could see
tba roof ~ Carnlei0h
~ am to blame" he sighed. "sadly TO
blame; what right had to allow her
first to pity. then to love me, when
have nothing to offer-nothing, apso:
lutely nothing. and she everything to
giveW
The colonel reached home later than
Ronald. Night was beginning to fall
and the big lamp at the top Of the car
riage-driye threw its rays far down
the tree-bordered avenue as he drove
through the big wrought-iron gate, The
lamps in the hall and drawipg-roem,
under their vari-colored shades, cast a
beautiful glow on the veranda, AS be
entered the hall he fancied he saw
Evelyn fit out at the door at the end
which opened into the conservatory
He was assured Of this when he had
gone into the library, where there was
no other light than was made by the
huge wood fire, which famed and
cracked on the brazen dog-lrops, fol
she came from the conservatory by an
other door, bringing his smoking jack
et and slippers; be knew that she haI
had them ready, for she had not hat
time to 60 to his room for them. Hi:
heart sorely smote him as he kissed hei
white face and noted the dark hollows
under her eyes-eyeswh absorbed the
red freight like diamonds. AT any rate
he had good news for her, but the
thought pierced him like dagger &c
think of It as such. Despite himself. 6
frown gathered on his brow. She
misunderstood it, and he saw her catch
her breath as she held his coat for him.
Neither of them spoke, though
when she had knelt at his feet
and her white tapering fingers trem-
bled over their task OF unlacing
his shoes he felt an almost uncon'
trollable impulse to snatch her
to his breast and sob out the awful re-
bellion within him. When she had
taken off his shoes she smoothed Out
the wrinkles in his stockings and put
on his slippers, finishing her task with
q little sad pat as she rose to her feet
"Ah, you vixen," he said, tremulous
ly-"Evelyn, you are my baby! H'
looked towards the door. Il have al
ways given you more Of my heart thar
/ have to your sister, perhaps because
you have given me more of yours, pool
dear child"
The tears sprang into her eyes, ane
she turned away quickly to table
where she had put cigar and a mater
for him, :,
"I have rolled 1t and cut the end,
There was a catch in her voice as sh'
scratched the match and held 1t to TIT
cigar.
Thank you. baby" he said' as h'
pulled. -,
For . moment she stood searching hd