The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-21

gGttiGs tired You will dine with us to-
"Many thanks, uncle, but Eve promised to
see some people Tonight"
"Who?'
"They are called Kesterton"
do you know themT' inquired Maitland
rather anxiously.
. "oh yes. very well. Do your
There is very nice girl in the house, a
sort of companion or goYerness. She called
Fletcher-same name as unele's. Odd coin
cidenee, isn't it?''
Gomez said Mr.. Fletcher peremtorily.
After dinner, instead of trying to get his
usual nap, Mr. Fletcher sat in his easy-chair,
evidently in a very excited frame of mind.
He seemed undecided what to do he
fidgeted about with one book and another
till at last he threw them down and called
out Maitland"
YES"
"Let me see the letter that precious nephew
OF mine wrote you. You haven't destroyed
1t, L could see we'll enough that you were
only trying to screen him. He said could
have read it if it had not been torn up"
II have it, it's true" replied Maitland,
but can't show it without his permits
sion"
''He gave it."
But [ told him thought had destroyed
it,"
Very well, if you don't show it to me
shall conclude the worst; it's clear you
would let me see it in a moment if it was fit
to be seen. Fred. had better take care; he
knows that he is my heir, but he doesn't
know how near he is to having his expecta-
tons disappointed. Pm afraid he is a scamp,
and it will be bad Job for him if he can't
conceal the fact few months longer"
Maitland did not attempt to defend DeX-
ter; both his conscience and inclination were
against such course. He knew that he was,
in spite of his advantages, loose, untrust-
worthy and selfish fellow, and he had strong
reasons for hoping that his succession to Mr..
Fletcher's money might never become fact.
The old man seemed inclined to talk this
evening. He turned himself around to face
Maitland, and said "Who is Amy Fletcher
She is governeSs at the Kestertons."
why? Who got her the placer
II did" replied Maitland, looking rather
guilty
HIN! you seem to take a considerable
interest in this Young lady. Has she any
money%'
None whatever"
'Then who paid for her schooling?''
Her father left enough to cover most of
the expense"
"And you supplied the rest"
Maitland's look was sufficient to condemn
him.
TITS nice romantic story" continued the
old man. when do you propose to marry
her?'
Il don't know" replied the young doctor;
perhaps not at all"
you mean she doesn't care for your"
No l don't mean that; but am in a very
peculiar position in regard to her."
What is the Peculiarity?''
"Do you ask me to tell your
Eyes; why not?'
81 don't like to do SO without your asking
me directly. have reason to believe that she
may be an heiress."
Il don't see why that should stop you"
mo; perhaps not though people would
doubt my sincerity in proposing to girl SO
rich as she is liable to become"
1T is very odd that an heiress should be
governess."
''She doesn't know who she is" explained
Maitland II am the only one in the world
who does know. Suppose that ask her hand;
she may accept me. atterward she discovers
that she is very rich; what will she think of
me then? She will judge me to be the most
despisable man in the world"
"Why not tell her she is an heiress and
then propose? If she loves you, the fact that
she is rich will only add to her willingness
to accep. you"
Il cannot tell her, because she may never
be So"
Mr. Fletcher looked puzzled "There is
more in this than you tell me- Maitland" he
said. you've treated me very WE'LL I've
taken liking for you and for the girl, too,
for that matter. / should like to help you
if can and feel that have done one kind
ness before it is out of my power to do any.
How did you come to have this girl on your
hands?"
Il knew her father and mother very we'll
They died abroad within few months of
each other. l was only very young man
then, as you may imagine; but they left me
- E III.
scarcely more than an infant. My mother
brought her up; when she was old enough
she was sent to school, as told you"
This simple recital interested the old man
more than he cared to show. He could not
prevent his voice from trembling as ne asked:
SIS her grandfather aliye?''
Yes" was the reply.
"YVhy does he not support her?'
"He does not know of her existence He
quarreled With his son, VINO went abroad and
died there. telling me never to let his father
know that he left child. l have kept the
secret till now"
'You may as we'll finish the story, now you
have gone so fer" said the invalid falling
back in his chair. what was her fathers
name?"
''Charles Fletcher"
MY son?''
Eyes, your son%'
'Then Amy is my grandchild%'
Maitland assented.
''She does not know it?
mo; she is not aware of the existence of
any relative. Your son made me promise
she should be kept in ignorance of her rela-
tionship to you. l shall never tell her."
"rhat will do for tonight. am tired and
excited; my head aches abominably l will
go to bed.'
Maitland came down stairs so soon as he
had seen his patient attended to. He too felt
excited and feverish. He determined to take
a stroll in the cool evening air. His object
had been accom- lished; he had made known
to his patient the existence of his grand
daughter. Would the result answer his ex-
pectations? If so, what would it be his duty
to do?
He was still revolving the matter in his
mind, trying to look at it dispassionately as
an outsider, and failing miserably, when he
l.. Il IL 81 ckn1