The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-10

Il conld never be completely happy While
cold" she said. nor utterly miserable with my
body clad in warmth. Oh, do understand how
people can sell love and liberty-yes, and honor
for luxury!'
Where was the reserved and maidenly com
panion of a moment since, with her chaste cameo
face aud corresponding hngersl This was
young LAMA, full Of all sensuous longing. open
and unconceaed. Edward Lamb sprang to his
feet, and, whiring toward the fire. tore from his
bosom a letter he had hidden there All day it
had burned there in his breast, full of its own
admonition.
Il would have put it in her hands, he told
himself, between the muffled punges of his
heart but now there is no need. Her own
speech has taught me what she feels" lie
dropped the letter between the cedar logs, with
a very storm of passions and temptations war
ring within him And yet-so speedily, so
silently, made the decisions that determine
the human Observation-Disclosures the curled and
cracking ash few upward, black and writhing.
a strange revulsion of feeling swept over him,
and he loathed himself for the sin he would have
done
He turned reluctant eyes on Madelon Soulsby,
afraid and ashamed; and, behold, she sat, un-
conscious and composed as some young saint,
her grave brow serious and calm, her delicate
hands folded, almost as if for prayer. Had Mr..
Lamb come very near making mistakel
Does man live who can battle with tempta-
ton and overcome it, and then abandon the
field without further dalliance with evill Is it
that we like to parade our power and make show
of our strength
What little creature you are, said Edward
Lamb. "How tall definitely Stand up and let
me see."
He put out his hand as If to raise her from
the chair, but drew back short of her finger tips.
For his life, he dared not now presume by so
much as that slight touch. She stood up rs sim
ply as a child
What was it that Orlando said about his la
dy's staturer
Just as high as my heart'T-she barely
5reathed the words. yet with exquisite tender
ness inclining her head, with movement un
speakably sweet and shy, until her cheek bent
Just above his throbbing heart, yet quite apart
from him.
But before her hair Was stirred by the sigh
from his dropping lips, she sprang back like
creature at bay, her brow knit in frown, her
eyes blazing indignation and reproach.
How dare youi" she cried. What a pitiful
pretext! How ingenious! How full of courage
What wonder that the fair Irishman blushed
for his own poor ruse to bring her near him for
moment! Was this acting2 Had she only af-
fected just now to discover his motives Was his
ardor answered by wild rapture in her own I'M
disciplined hearth Or was she like some fair
saint far above the comprehension of earthly
passions2 Could she have used ignorantly the
dangerous phraseOlogy of evil, as a child might
play unwttingy with engines of destruction
each innocently vain of its fancied knowledge
Come i'm Miss Soulsby's sweet voice fol
lowed knock at the door
Mr. Lambs associate came into the room.
'Ledyard telegraphs that the line is open now,
and party is starting out You have not
moment to spare No one knows how long we
may be shut in here once the spring thaws set
in"
And so, before the curious scrutiny of this OBJ
server. they closed the day and babe each other
but formal adieu.
soENE H.
Mr. Edward Lamb brought to its close a let
ter, sitting in the reading room of hotel in the
city at the western seagate. Sundry influences
had delayed its completion; he had but just come
to the end Of his transcontinental trip.
A certain sense of freedom and citation
was still new enough to intoxicate him,
heart and brain; he could not put out of his mind
his sensation, when, crossing the bay from the
train. he first caught sight Of the city looming
ahead like some mighty monster in bronze.
And an acquaintance he had made restrained
him for time.
He was just putting pen to paper when he
was grasped by fellow Journalist who present
ly introduced MIR. Lamb to man sitting near; q
man whose name stands historic in the
records of the State. whose position and
great wealth might have commanded the younger
mans attention Beyond these, his interest had
been won by the mellow wisdom and gentle
shrewdness of this quiet, kindly potentate, who,
as per the Pacific journalists dctum, owned
half county"
Even now, despite the vital interest of the
lines he was writing, Mr.. Lamb found his mind
and his eyes straying toward his neighbor. The
fine, small head, venerable with its seant white
hair and flowing, gray beard, was in relief
against the wall, that threw up all its wholesome
freshness and calm benevolence. Mr.. Lamb
found sort of fascination in this contemplation,
and divided his attention pretty equally between
the gentleman and the letter.
AS he folded the sheet, he lifted his eyes
toward the general staircase coming down
from the floor above the woman he was
addressing
Self possessed and easily poised. she came to-
ward him with the old free step and the old i'm
penetrable challenge on brow and lip-a little
warmer of tint, little brighter of eye than
when they parted. 1t was only when she had
come very close to him that he noted the exceed
ing richness of her attire, worn with the same
careless grace as the old-time flannel.
''She does become fine raiment!" his thought
exulted and yet she would not seem endiman-
chez in cloth of gold"
She paused beside his chair and looked straight
into his kindling, deep blue eyes with her own
unwavering gaze
ITO think l meet you here he said: I was
sending you letter to Ell Paraiso --seel Take it
read it now Incoherent as 1t is it will speak
as my lips cannot"
He put the paper into her reluctant hand.
Il would better not read it, think she said,
gently; ''let me explain first"
Read" he said, almost iercely; and she read
slowly down the page;
1t was year since have heard word of you
(the letter ran with that abrupt beginning which sin
ies absolute absorptionl when iedyard writing, men
toned casually that in passing through FL Paradise he
had met you there The next day started w est
again. l am here, but dare not go further until
send in advance my expanation-not an excuse mind
for what seemed cruel and cowardly retreat when
we parted out yonder-you remember the bleak and
hopeless day. The fight fought that afternoon has
disabled since; but also it has strengthened
me. Can you understand tbat9 No; woman can
understand what it meant to have you there before
my eyes within reach of my arms, and TO leave you.
To know your sordid surroundings TO hear of your
privatious, to see you beating your wings against
your prison bars, and to know that the pleasures
and luxurses would have hesped upon you must
render in unwilling tribute to a woman l alb
horred. You do not know-no this side
knew--that had wife. | married her in London
when I was Just of age. She honest woman
1 would have divorced her else but her and
vulgar nature made my life hell. gave up every
thing to her and came over to New York. She
nestled in luxury, and you we're in actual wantl Now
YOU understand tho temptation Ibattled with out yen
der. had wild dream of carrying you away with
me. How you would have regned little queen in
the bright and careless set knew just that Won
i l.. L. .