The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-03-26
MATS LUCK.

shout the porch; on the old rector, tending
his favorite gsraniums In the distance, amid
blaze of sunshine and glow OF color.
Mat longed to be with him-the sombre
room seemed oppressive as cage.
He threw open the French windows drew
long breath and thrust his fingers into the
pockets of his shooting coat, falling netu-
rally INTO a careless, lounging attitude
peculiar to him. The finger came in con-
tact with note, and idly brought it TO
light. It was addressed, in womans hand
writing, to Matthew Curtis, Esq, NJ. D."
A grim smile played about that gentlemans
lips as he reflected how unsuited was that
formal superscription to the jovial. reckless
good for naught known to rich and poor for
miles around as young Mat Curtis.
With listleSs air he drew forth the brief
Enclosure. His face darkened as he perused
it.
Miss Agnes Bellue would be glad to
have few minutes conversation with Mr.
Curtis
''Lover-like-very." commented Mat, with
sarcastic emphasis.
Another glance at the delicate paper and
the firm, square handwriting, tie dark look
hardening the while, until the character of
the face seemed completely altered,
Look at 1t.'' quoth Mat. sHer hand new
eritrembled; there is not wavering stroke.
Why, most girls would cry their eyes out
while writing such a note as that to their
lovers"
He crushed the offending missivs into
crumpled ball as he spoke, and addressed
few more unapostolic expletives to the fair
sunshine-expletives peculiarly unbefitting
a clergyman's study, or the hearing OF the
young lady who noiselessly entered in time
indistinctly to catch them.
Young-nOt more than 20, perhaps-but
with a serene and queenly grace of move
ment, gravely beautiful face-an air Just
now of naughty disgust.
,rf1 11Sf,a r,,1v ssn, 49,
ing conversation with yourself is probably
of confidential nature"
Mat turns with a flaming face, quick
deprecatiDg gesture, courteous, apologize
bow and speech that somehow in their con-
fused humility stamp him as gentleman.
II trust, indeed, you did not hear it. l
earnestly crave forgiveness if you didl''
She contemptuous' y dlsmisses the matter
with the slightest wave of little jeweled
hand. Cold, hard, proud, she looks, and her
words have clear cut articulation sugges
tive of newly clipped coins.
Il sent for you"
ssYes,' answers Mat, defiantly. His peni-
tence is dying awsy-the dark, hard express
sion is returning. "Just my luckl'' it seems
to repeat.
ITO beg an answer to three questions y
continues Miss Bellue.
Mat bows, thrusts his hands into the
deep shooting pockets once more, and re-
sumes the careless, lounging attitude.
Have you entered your name, notwith-
standing my protest. as gentleman rider
for the autumn steeple chases?"
Yes"
sHave you, in truth gone back to the old
habit of dropping into the 'Barleycorn' two
or three nights in the week to (how superb
was the ring of scorn IN her vOice!) drink ale
aid smoke in company with the Doors
there?''
Eyes" repeats Mat, sturdily.
EkTz - 4 -
inn last night you involved yourself in a
poaching ARRAY, actually knocking down a
keeper and helping oae OF the pOacders 70
escape|
Yes said Mat, with kind OF su,len
despair.
white fingers and holds it out. Mechanic
ally Mats hand comes out OF the shooting
pocket and grasps it. 1t is a woman's en-
gagement ring.
They look at each other, curious con,
trast in the two faces. Hers composed
calm, haughtily Indifferent. His blanklN
astonished, angry, sitated, by turns.
''Not--not that. Agnes!i, he pleads husk
lily.
The serene beauty, the quiet determination
of her face answer hiT.
ssCan you no. make allowances he cried
"Can you not understand that mad youns
blood like mine must find some excitemen
greater than mixi1g pills, and powders, an,
lotions, or creeping through sick. rooms al
day."
It is itiful to see how he watches he
while he speaks, and notes the same fixed
mute, changeiess answ r:
SAT least let me explain. l can do so +
your satisfaction, think, l hope." he says
obviously.
Return it to your finger, and reserv
Judgment till you hear ths defense!" Ant
he holds the ring towards her with a great
hot frlunhiaa onuaoUhar
Still no audible reply. A faiut shake c
the head, look OF polite incredulity-sha
is all.
s.Do you not care?' he asks.
His appealing eyes search her face. /
does not change. Beautiful, Imperturblt
His unsteady fngars drop the ring. but
let ir lie half buried in fleecy rug. Ther
with set, stern look, he sets his foot upo
it. bows slightly, and walks from the room
He leaves the house. passing the windo
to gain the road, but looking neither 10 IL
right, nor to the left.
His head Is erect. his hands ara out of th
loose pockets. For once startling tran
formatton), young Mat. Curtis LOOKS pos
lively dignified-
And as he varishes as startling trausfo
nation takes place In the room he has gut
ted. Miss Bellue proves herself q womal
and not q queen, by series OF actions g
ssentially feminine.
First she rescues the bent love token fro
the floor; then she kisses it aud cries over
then she locks it away carefully IN wri
ing desk; then she rushes up stairs to watt
her lover out of sight from an upper viii
dow.
For quarter of mile or SO she wstche
him. Tetreating figure, growing small
and smaller in the distance He never on
looked back; the regular march
his steps never faitered; turn OF the rof
hid him from sight. Miss Bellue sat dow
on the foor-a most undignified position
and cried till her pretty eyes were red al
swollen.
at is all over p' she moaned-"all over
ssFire Fire p
Mat sprang from his bed, and with prof
nonal expertness struck ngnt, sumo !
into some clothes and rushed from t
- No need to ask whence the alarm procee
ed; the force pillar OF flame and the !