The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-24
ON THE RIVER.
Tho Argosy.

$50 Vane is at his old tricks again! Ii I
were that girls father or brother 1 should be
inclined to express my opinion of his tactics
pretty strongly"
rs that Miss Elliott? have noticed him
by her side more than half the evening-but,
if l may judge from the lady's expression,
his attentions are not otherwise that accepta-
ble"
"Splendidly handsome girl, isn't she?
Alice Hargreaves, the new beauty, is not a
patch upon her in my opinion"
Handsome enough for those no admire
1 that style-great Eastern eyes and Juno-like
figure For my own part, prefer something
softer and more fashionable"
so apparently did Vane yesterday morn
ing. He was sitting in the park under Mrs.
FairfaX's paraSol for over an hour and half.
How proud girl like Blanche Elliot can
stand such open rivalry passes my compre-
henSon."
Mrs Fairfax? The widow of Jack Fair
fax, of the Artillery"
| Even so-Nna Forester that was. You
must remember her Grahame-a pretty little
fair-haired thing, who looks as if puff of
wind would blow her away. She is awfully
we'll off-Jack took care of that poor old
chap! And really she looks hardly more
than child still, though she has little GIRL
| DIS pretty as utrSeil, over I'VE years Olu
And she is flirting with young Vane, you
saw"
"Flirting She's the veriest little flirt in
England. Her villa at Twickenhan is para
disc for that kind of amusement. slipping
lawn down to the river-boat always ready
straw berries and Greenland a pretty little
| hostess so charmed to see you if you run
| down for breath of fresh air on hot after
noon. She has been up in town this week,
staying with her brother, butwas to go home
| yesterday"
During this last speech Colonel Grahames
attention has apparently been chiefly be-
slowed upon Miss Elliot and the countenance
OF the man who is assiduously bending over
her.
1t is verv good looking face-a face which
| one OF Sir Reginald Vane's dog-loving friends
has sometimes likened to a Gordon setter,
| with dark, lustrous eyes and delicate profile
| and if there are weak lines marring the
| mouth and chin, they are concealed by the
| black, silky mustache and beard which
| cover both. He is a popular man, especially
| with women, who easily learn to call him
Reggie" and smile over the rather free-and-
| easy compliments, which have a charm of
| their own when uttered in that low musical
| murmur. In fact, drawing-room pet of the
| nineteenth century, such meets
| with here and there in the course of every
| season.
OF different type is Leslie Grahame the
man who, standing in the doorway, has been
| listening to the careless remarks of gossip
| ping acquaintance. OF Scottish descent, and
| with the rugged cast of features common to
that nation, he might, except for his COM
| handing height, pass unnoticed in the crowd
| assembled at Lady Hetheringtons At Home.
| But prob bly,, on an Aldershot ielti-day a
! spectator would pick out the cavalry officer
| who sits on his horse so CALAMITY (though
three fingers of his bridle-hand are gone. and
he is fain to wind the chargers rens round
| his wrist) as an object of curiosity.
For do not other medals, besides those so
| lately won in Egypt decorate his breast; and
| is there not some tale of heroism and danger,
| almost unparalleled in modern annals, con-
| nected with the cross earned at Ulundi?
! Blanche Elliot. ketn-witted in reading
| countenances, has singled him out this
evening and appeals to Vane with a half
Pray who is that stern-looking man lean
| ing against the door? He appears to take an
interest in me-this is the second time have
| caught him gazing this way"
| us that so remarkable? l should have
| thought the occurrence too frequent and
natural to attract your attention-although
| it is rather wonderful for Colonel Grahame
| to condescend to notice any one. His head
is usually in the clouds"
He looks out of place here-and feels it,
| See he is 'sloping off, as you say. Grahame
i remember the name-a V. c., is he not?'
| Gust so. great hero in his way, but not
a very amusing companion in ordinary life
/ only know him by sight however. But
! tell me once more: when and where am l to
| see you again"
Miss Elliott is playing with her FAM and
contriveS with it to hide the color that for a
moment overspreads her face at this question.
AS she remains silent he repeats it more
eagerly.
you know my hours-I always ride in
the evening during this hot weather-6 to s.
l shall probably do so to morrow"
"To-morrow!' Vane's handsome face be-
trays evident disturbance. Il am afraid l
shall be out of town. Very provoking-an
old engagement with relation"
"Why stoop to prevarcation, Sir Regi-
nald? Blanche has risen now and her dark
eyes are flashing "You are your own mas
ter. See mamma is reckoning to me. Good
night. You will find it cool and pleasant on
the river tomorrow. And with this part
ing shot she is gone, leaving Vane looking
decidedly foolish, and, what is worse, I'M
pleasantly conscious that he is looking so.
"By Georgel" he soiloquised, as he lights
a cigar during his midnight walk to MS club.
How savage she can look when she pleases!
Yet don't know but that 1 admire her all
the more-a hare-up shows off those mag
nifcent eyes. and the very fact of Jealousy
| betravs an interest in my movements. Still
the widow is decidedly pretty and l have
been down on my luck lately and sadly
need wndfall. And | really believe she is
fond of me, dear little soul"
And Sir Reginald Vanes ref ections not
leading him to any satisfactory conclusion,
the next afternoon finds him at WS@ rloo,
taking return ticket to Twickenham.
Five minutes walk from the latter sta
ton brings him to charming little villa,
with green lawn sloping down to the river;
while from beneath a weeping ash dainty
little figure, emerging from the depths of a
chaise Tongue. comes with hand extended to
meet him.
In her cool white summer draperies. and
with the Pickering sun beams lighting up her
great childish blue eyes, and waves of pale
gold hair Mrs Fairfax is as pleasant an OBJ
ject on blazing July day as any mans eye
could wish to rest upon. SO Reggie Vane
thinks, as with sigh and murmur of salts