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

4 cover the secret without my help as L know
you are a friend of the Kerstertons and ac
quainted with this girl"
I've known it long time"
Have you, though? Ny instinct was
right Did my uncle know that Charlie left
| a child?"
! mo he wished it to be kept secret"
Well" said Dexter, after a few moments
elaboration, PPM not as safe as should like
to be. 1t seems to me I've only one course
open to me, which will insure everything
turning out right"
What is thatP'
81 must marry Amy"
Maitland gave start. "Mary ANY, be
repeated.
Yes. Why not? must get engaged as
soon as possible When my uncle dies, if he
has left me his property, | can break off the
engagement, if | want to, without much
difficulty; and if she gets it all for want of a
will | must press forward our marriage.
You see, m showing my confidence in you
IN telling you my plans before hand, as
take it for granted you mean to let Amy
know who she is after my uncle's death, uu-
less he leaves everything to me by will"
You are quite right" replied Maitland,
stiffly. He had recovered his calmness now,
and had need of it all to restrain himself.
1T certainly was my inteption to let her
know. do not promise you | shall not tell
her at once, in order that she may have an
opportunity of urging her claim"
'Oh, confound it all, Martlahd, what good
will that do? Let it stand as it is for time,
at any rate. Give fellow a chance. You
see, as it is l can make love to her as a man
with good expectations, and she's only a
poor governess; but reverse our positions and
where's my chance? No. you must let mat
ters stand for a week or two"
Il won't promise anything now" replied
Maitland. Il shall see you tomorrow and
will tell you my decision then"
He turned away without even saying good
night Dexter was such a mixture of ap-
parent good-nature and selfshness; he had
such a way of taking him into his confidence
and making him sort of partner in his dis
graceful plans that Maitland was disguised
beyond measure. And this was the man who
was his rival for Amy! And his own hands
were tied!
He rose early, after an almost sleepless
night He found that his patient was out OF
sorts, evidently the result of want of rest.
He made no allusion to the events of the
previous day; both of them seemed unwill-
ing to start the subject. However, in the af-
ternoon, Fletcher abruptly said;
Maitland wish you would send to my
nephews hotel. You know it, l SUPPOSE
Eyes. Are you going to the terrace, this
afternoon?'
Yes; the same time as yesterday. I want
to see Amy"
Half an hour afterward Dexter made his
appearance. Mr.. Fletcher asked Maitland to
leave them, and rejoin them on the terrace
in an hour. AS he went. out Dexter man
aged to whisper:
You won't tell her?'
mo" replied Maitland firmly.
The interview between uncle and nephew
was rather long. Mr.. Fletcher told Dexter
that he was not so ignorant of his doings as
he supposed, and that he had for some time
doubted whether he ought to let such Escape
grace be his heir.
81 was once harsh to my son" said the old
man, land l lost him. l determined to make
every allowance for you. don't ask you if
you deserve it, but l should like to know
what your plans are. Do you intend to
marry?"
This sudden question took Dexter off his
guard. Making up his mind on the spur OF
the moment, he answered:
Eyes, sir"
''Whom?'
"Well, it isn't quite settled yet between
us. have not declared myself yet but if
obtain your consent, l will do so at the earli-
est opportunity"
VINO is she."
"She Is the governess at the Kestertons,"
replied his nephew, boldly You've never
seen her, suppose, but she is very charm
ing girl" .,.,
"Then you can't marry unless with my
money!
Dexter rather uneasily answered.
mo, sir"
every we'll" said his uncle. 81 have no
objection to your making love match. l
tell you what / will do. 1t would be unsatis-
factory for both of you if you, a rich man,
were to marry her, pauper, If you win her
consent | will give mine, and make her heir
ess of half what have. You will then be
on equal terms, as man and wife should be-
Dexter was growing more and more I'M
comfortable, This was far from the state of
things he wished for.
You are very thoughtful, uncle" he
murmured.
81 should like to see this young LADY,
continued Mr.. Fletcher. II presume that
by birth and education she Is fitted to be
your wife? You have made inquiries pre-
sume?''
"well uncle, thought that would be
rather wanting in delcacy. She is evidently
lady"
Your sentiments do you honor, Fred 1t
was quite right of You not to make imper-
tinent inquiries, especially considering her
position"
Dexter felt he had done it now. 1t was
impossible for him to confess that he knew
Amy's identity. After little further con-
versation they started for the terrace, where
Maitland was shortly to meet them.
Meanwhile the young doctor had been
spending an unhappy hour. He was sure
that Dexter would take the opportunity of
telling his uncle his intention to marry Amy
The probability was greatly in favor of the
old mans approval of his nephew's suit
rather than of his, Maitland's. One thing ne
was sure of-that he must keep silent till
Dexter had either won or lost, and that if he
won he must keep silent forever. His only
hope was that Amy loved him. Yet why
should she? He had always been careful to
treat her as young sister, and if occasional
ly he had been conscious of saying some
thing which was not quite appropriate for a
brother, she had never given him reason for
believing that she had ever contemplated
the possibility of closer relationship be-
tween them than had always existed. Yet,
if he lost her, and to such a heartless scoun-
drell No. he would never let her marry that
other. Yet what could he do if she acce pied