The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-14


acceptable to her.
''You will come some afterp DON for drive
with me- ne was saying, as Hetty admired
the attractive turnout by the roadside
why not now this lovely dayT' he added,
eagerly staring up. ut is splendid going,
and we have three hours till dusk. We can
go down the old mill road and get look at
the river"
Hetty's young heart thrilled with innocent
anticipation. A drive behind such team
was a treat. But the proposition was a novel
one to Barnet. They were primitive peo-
pie, and whoever married into the family
was sure of getting wife whose thoughts
were as fresh as the morning dew, and lips as
fragrant and pure as wild roses. To accepta
'promiscuous" attention was unheard OF
But this sudden temptation was over strong,
and old Grandmother Barnet, proud OF
her Hetty's attractions made no serious
objections. and so the young couple drove
gayly away in the golden sunlight How de-
lightful the drive was along the daisy -fringed
country road, into a woodland path where
the spicy hemlock branches drifted across
their faces, and up to a height that over
looked the sleepy, winding river 1t was an
episode in the monotonous girl-life, and she
surrendered herself to a keen enjoyment
of it. II
"Who do you think has been here, Hetty?"
said her grandmother, as the girl appeared,
with the first star, at the door. "John Hay"
died suddenly out of her eyes.
''He asked mos. particularly for you, child,
as soon as he came in, and told him you'd
gone off to drive with his nephew. 1 thought
perhaps he'd be glad the young man wasn't
with worse company"
And what did-he say, grandmother?
asked the girl slowly.
He said Does she go often with himP "
"And YOU told him" Hettie paused with
choking breathlessness.
The old lady deliberately took out her
glasses, rubbed them carefully on the corner
of her apron, and then placing them on her
nose, looked at her granddaughter reflective
ly as she responded:
"Wel, yes, child l didn't see no reason for
not telling him that John Campbell had
been coming about here pretty regular"
"Oh, grandmother" cried Hettie, with
burning cheeks
''Well, did say this was the first down
right set attention afore folks. And l told
him, child, there want to be found nowhere
a likelier girl than my Hetty, an young
Campbell might count himself powerful
lucky to get you. The Barnets was always
particular set, and I've no objection to John
Jay knowing it. He don't want to throw
his property away, it amt at sll likely, on
relation with shiftless wife,
GRANDMOTHER" cried Hetty, again; "oh,
grandmother, you never told him that"
"Of course did The Barnets was always
an outspoken family John will have to
settle the property onto somebody 1t may
as well be your husband as. Bless me,
Hetty Barnett
For the young girl broke suddenly into
passionate storm of sobs and tears
what on earth is the matter, child? You
ain got it in your head John jay is going
to die, have you? He looks amazn' we'll and
young, considerin' Don't get notions"
Whatever allied Hetty, she had disap
peared, and had hidden herself from her To-
Quacious grandmother behind the old we'll
sweep, near the lilac bushes. There she sat
until the stars grew brighter though the
purple night and the dew dampened the soft,
disheveled hair thai was already wet with
tears. She heard the lonesome cry of the
whip-poor-will from the distant meadow,
and the call seemed to mock her own loneli-
ness
"Hetty"
The girl started up with bounding heart
and outstretched arms, to find them clasped
in pair of stronger ones. She was trembling
like the slim poplar in the corner of the yard,
and only found breath to say:
Eyes of course l am glad" and even to her
own ears her voice sounded unnatural and
formal. Her fingers were slowly loosed
from the warm grasp, and fell down cold and
limp; the tall bearded man at her side re-
treated, and paused to lean heavily against
the well-curb. Then he said in a voice we'll
under control
81 am only in town for a few hours l
shall make another trip later to the Rocky
Mountains. Hetty," he added, after mo-
ments silence 81 believe l shall never come
back again. 1t is the life that best suits me
this wandering one-and who should care
now?"
Hetty's heart throbbed hard. He was only
corroborating what so many declared-that
he never would marry" that desire for
love and home was dead within him.
faA Nrit, ,lxr.
Your sister will miss you"
'She has her interests" returned John
Jay, his glance seeking passionately out the
sweet face in the settling shadow. MY
nephew-has his, No one needs me, no one
will miss me-"
sigh that issued from the strong mans
breast.
Eyes" lie continued, "a rowing life suits
me, after all. You are happy and satisfied,
Hetty?"
The apparently careless question made the
girls heart sink like lead. But the Barnets
were proud, and followed the way of their
kind, and Hetty dared not cry out. She only
said beneath her breath:
ayes, happy. Our lives do not change"
well, 1 am glad-glad" responded her
companion, drearily, taking once again the
girls cold hand in his. II can only hope you
may ever be able to say so. In the change
tHdt tluSb VI HcOCSeiby hOW OOiiiO " yOuf L
wish you all joy and prosperity. Good by,
Hetty. I am going now, child. God keep
you'll" and the only man Hetty Barnet ever
loved was gone
II declare tot you're queer girl, Hetty
Barnett her grandmother said.
The two women sat as of old under the APP
pie boughs. The face OF the elder was scanned
with many new new seams and even with her
glasses she could not see her granddaughter's
face opposite. and her tremulous hands were
useless for all earth work. But to the end the
sturdy race held their own mentally and
Mehitable Barnet was not an exception
"Why, queer, grandmother" responded
Hetty, in her sweet, calm way. because
do not intend to marry? Am 1 not content
with you? 1 could not bear to leave the dear
old place to strangers and neglect as
should be obliged to if l married. and you