The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-09-25


but she had seen Herbert Barton's mother, 8
naughty, purse proud woman, who had
seemed to look upon the Crofts as almost
savages, and she wondered how she had come
to consent to such an arrangement She did
not know until long after that it was only at
Herbert's earnest entreaties that his mother
had consented to what was in reality very
distasteful to her.
But whatever Elsie thought herself she
had no choice but to go. Her uncle and
aunt were delighted, and were profuse in
their thanks to Herbert and congratulations
to Elsie. Farmer George drew some of his
hard earned money out of the savings bank,
and what with that and some of the money
young Barton had made them accept as a
present, Elsie was fitted out becomingly, and
her neighbors in Rowandale would hardly
have recognized the moorland beauty could
they have seen her on her way to Barton
Towers.
Elsie had longed for some experience of
the world, and she straightway found herself,
when transplanted to Barton Towers, In q
circle which was the embodiment of world
illness. The Bart0ns were enormously rich
manufacturers; in their eyes wealth was
everything and check book always pro-
vided the drafts drawn in it were honored,
a passport to all that was worth having In
the world, their only regret being that they
could not add the world 10 come. The
golden calf was worshiped as obtrusively as
If it had been visibly set up in the brand
new house, which proclaimed to all the
country side how vast sum of money Jer-
emiah Barton had made by his trade. TODD
Herbert Barton justice he did not share the
family failing; but his mother was purse
proud enough for half dozen upstairs, and
the possession OF ample means was in her
eyes the highest possible ideal of life.
As may be imagined, Mrs. Barton had not
looked with favor upon Herbert's mad and
Quixotic scheme-for so she termed it-of
bringing the little moorland girl to Barton
Towers. But he was the only son, and she
could refuse HIM nothing; and Mr.. Barton
was so occupied in money making that he
hardly noticed who stayed at the howers at
all, so long as the dinners were punctual and
his letters arrived in good time in the morn
ing. The Towers was magnificent build
ing on the outskirts of large manufacturing
town. The people said Mr.. Barton had built
1T close to the place in order TO point it out
to strangers with whom he happened to be
doing business. 1t was fitted up with every
modern convenience, and ii is perhaps un
necessary TO add that il was ludicrously
ugly.
For time Elsie got on very well at Barton
towers Her position was certainly a little
but Mrs. Barton behaved to her
with fair civility, and she was kindly treat
ed. This was mainly OWING it happened,
to the fact that Herbert remained at
home, still an invalid, and his mother would
have done anything to humor him. This
strange fancy for the poor curates daughter
was one of his whims, and his mother was
content to yield to it for time intending
to make short work of spoor Elsie as soon as
Herbert was better and able to join his regi-
ment in India.
For Eli, herself Barton Towers possessed
an attraction which did not seem to be much
appreciated by the other inmates. 1t had
been represented to Mr.. Barton, when he
became wealthy, that he ought TO have a
library, and be had accordingly ordered one
Of an eminent London bookseller Just as he
would order Goals. As long as the books
were handsomely bound he was contented:
but bis order had been given to an intelli-
gent man, and the library had been we'll
furnished Here Elsie spent most of her
time among the books, which were more
companions than the gilded youths
and maidenS who rivalled Miss Kilmansegg
from the neighboring town. There one day
Herbert Barton found her, and as he looked
~ the fair head bent earnestly over book a
certain indefinable feeling came over him
which, not love exactly. was very near to il.
Ii flashed across his mind that one day some
lover would wish to win Elsie Croft; and
be was by no means certain of his
own feelings just then, he instinctively nour-
shed antagonism to her unknown suitor.
A man may have that feeling aud not be
really in love; but If he continue to give way
to 1T he will find himself very much so in a
short time.
He rt Barton would have had plenty of
excuse had he fallen in love with Elsie
There is nothing which so improves beau
tiful face as culture and study; and Elsie,
with full opportunities for such pursuits,
hitherto denied her, was developing into a
very lovely woman. No matter however,
what his feelings were, il would have been
impossible for him to have married then;
his regiment was in India, and he was to join
as soon as ever he was sufficiently GONZALES
cent. The time had come and In a few DAYS
We would leave Barton Towers.
Elsie sat like 1.-The fair pupil of Ascham,"
With eyes bent on her book, and Herbert's
first words did so.
'Elsie," he said-and though he imagined
be had carefully guarded against it, there
was an unusual tone of tenderness in his
STALL not have another chance of
81 eng you alone, probably, before go, so
will say good BY"
She had nerved herself to hear this but
even with the resolve-to hear ii the an
nouocement nearly stunned her. For, how
ever Dul tou lcCi tOWdIuo ncTs
Elsie Crofts heart had gone out to him ever
since the day when he was brought, bleed
ing and ssnseless TO the High Farm. She hal
never thought for an instant of its being re-
turned; il was merely hopeless dream, one
that she should cherish all her life, but of
which no realization was possible. And still
her heart seemed to stop beating, and the
blood to mount with a rush to the brain
when Herbert Barton spoke of his departure.
She looked up, and be could see the sweet
mist in Der eyes as she said, 81 hope you are
strong enough to bear the voyage"
II shall take no HARM" he said, land
ought TO go the moment / am able" And
he added, rather unkindly, she thought,
"Will you miss me, Elsie?'
Would she miss him? Ali bow her
throbbing heart answered the question; but
she managed to answer quietly enough, 1--WE
shall all miss you" In another second he
saw her eyes fill with tears, aud as she
turned her head away he caught her in his
arms and once, very tenderly, kissed her,
whispering, "Wait Elsie, till come back"
and then he lett the room, and, as it hap
pened, Elsie never saw him again before he
sailed.
He had said nothing but that, and yet
thrill of indescribable happiness ran through