The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-10-22

AOti hiC al dDOut, Sdlu, cTOuCuiHS
close down by his side in my girlish way
Just then my mother and sisters came along
the garden walk and sat down beside us.
''Puss," he said, he always called me puss, 'sis
begging me to describe to her what saw at
the races, and I've mind to do it. In fact
I've load on my heart which can be remov-
ed by full confession. and in no other way
Another cigar. Pussie dear. A rather strange
circumstance led me to the races
Mother made an impatient gesture, but I
caught her hand and gently held it. Uncle
Glenn did not notice this. Lighting the
fresh cigar gave him, he went into his story
with will, speaking thus:
"My room at the D. hotel, where
stopped in S. opened upon a broad
veranda which ran the entire length of the
building. About midnight of last Wcdnes-
day, 1 awoke suffering intensely in my feet.
| 1t sometimes relieves me to walk about
| little during my severest attacks, so 1 slipped
| on my clothes, and barefooted went out for a
| few turns the veranda, seeing that no
one was there. A broad light shone from
| one window; all the others were dark As /
passed this window I glanced into the room
and saw what / had no right to see, but
| most thrilling vision it was. A young
| woman of queenly stature and rare beauty,
| richly attired sat on an ottoman, and before
| her knelt rather boyish-looking youth with
his hands clasped and uplifted as if praying
| to her. She was dark, Southern beauty,
with large, soft eyes and bright lips, a straight
nose and delicately penciIed brows.
He was fair, yellow-haired, blue-eyed,
| slightly built, with an almost feminine mouth
scarcely shaded by slender mustache.
| / stopped, as one stops before a masters
picture, and gazed fxedly, utterly unable to
turn away.
| Clearly, distinctly the young mans words
came to myears. The voice had in every
tone an infinitude of love. l knew / ought
not to stand there looking and listening, but
not for my life's sake could 1 have broken
the spell which had suddenly fallen upon me-
/ did try to turn away, really did, but /
could not move. No doubt l was not quite
myself. My feet had panied me terribly for
many days and nights, robbing me of sleep
and rest. OF course my nerves were exhaust
ed and my will-power could not be great
Be this as it may, l stood there as if rooted
to the condition of my feet, had been noise
less and l well knew was unobserved. This
made me feel the more guilty. Still I could
do nothing but stand there and stare and
listen. At the first glimpse l was aware that
loves crisis had been reached by that young
man, and somehow, too as if from the inner
most soul ofthe woman, it flashed upon me that
his love was vain. How quickly his fate was
sealed! A few passionate words from him, a
few firm kindly sentences from her almost
cruelty determined lips and all was over. He
writhsd to his feet and stood before her quiv-
ering from head to foot, and pale as death.
1--WE part then," he said huskily. 81 will
leave s. tonight. 1 must get far away
from you"
"And who will drive the horse? Who
will drive Brownboy?" she hurriedly gasped,
rising as she spoke.
81 do not know or care he replied. at
is all over with me-"
saw big tears roll down the youths
cheek
"Come, now, Lawrence" she said, laying
her hand on his shoulder. ''you can not
be SO unkind. Ny very life depends upon
Brownboy winning tomorrow You will
not desert me. Who can drive like you?"
'Let him drive" he muttered bitter
ly. ASK him to condescend to sit upon the
sulky behind Brownboy for your sake. You
love him.
She stopped and looked closely into the
youths eyes, for she was the taller. then she
too grew very pale.
Lawrence Lawrence, YOU do not mean
it, You can not be so wicked. Think of al
my kindness to you," she cried passionately
81 took you from the slums and made
you
''Made me love you, and then trampled
me under your feet. 0, Linda, Linda, my
life is ended" His voice broke and ht
sobbed like little boy.
The young woman grasped his shoulder
and shook him impatiently.
"Come come, Lawrence, this is really
child's play. l am ashamed of both of us
Let's have an end of such ridiculous farce
and arrange for the final effort, the great
race tomorrow. Be a man, Lawrence
She looked into his eve.
again as she spoke, but sh,
turned away with cloud on her face. HI,
was as resolute his despair was deep.
II will never drive Brownboy again." h,
said, Il have no life no hope no heart fol
anything"
He walked toward the door, but she caugh
his arm and held him.
, "For Heavens sake, Lawrencel" she muir
, INJURED, her face really splendid in its pallor
her eyes burning with intense distress. "Yol
can not, you will not desert me now in thi
: great crisis-this supreme final struggled
"Let me 60" was his only answer.
She held him firmly. "Sit down." she sal,
gently, pushing him to chair. "Sit dowr
and listen to me-
He obeyed, but determined look, almos
) dogged in its fxedness, had settled on hi
face
Lawrence said the young woman, takin
a seat close to him, 81 would not have be
lieved this of you. You know and hav
:, known all the time that / love a man who's
station and age are fit for me. You are
. mere boy, 10 years my junior and not yet oil
enough to think of love. Nothing could b
d more foolish than the course you are taking
: Stay with me, drive Brownboy tomorrow
1 win the race, and will give you money t.
4 go to Italy and complete your art studies
n Will you, Lawrence?"
). "Hush" he cried, springing to his fee
i "Hushi I will not hear you'll What do
a care Tor money or art or anything but you
6 o Linda, Linda he will never love you as
! have
: He stretched out his arms toward her, bu
i she put them away. His face seemed I
shrivel up like dry leaf before a hot fir