The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-09

Eyes sir, said the agreeable servant 'IIl go
right away, SIR and left the room.
Five minutes elapsed, and then voice at his
shoulder startled him:
Did YOU send for me- Mr.. Mckinney What
is it can dor
Mrs. Miller said the lady, with a smile that
he remembered.
Now, please spare me even the mildest of re-
Dukes. deserve your censure, but Icant stand
It'll can't, positively and there was pleading
look in Johns lifted eyes that changed the little
womans smile to an expression of real solici-
tude. II have sent for you, continued John,
ito ask of you three great favors. Please DO
seated while enumerate them. First-I want
you to forgive and forget that illnatured. un-
caled-for grumbling of mine this morning when
you Weakened me.
'sWhy, certainly said the landlady, again
smiling though quite seriously.
II thank you, said John, with dignity. "And,
second, he continued-11 want your assurance
that my extreme confusion and awkwardness on
the occasion of our meeting later were rightly
interpreted
Certainly certainly, said the landlady, with
the kindliest sympathy.
81 am grateful-utterfy,p said John with
newer dignity. And then" he went on,--''after
informing you that it is impossible for the best
friend have in the world to be with me at this
hour, as intended. want you to do me the
very great honor of dining with me. VIII your
Why, certainly said the charming little
landlady and a thousand thanks beside! But
tell me something of your friend, she eontin-
ued, as they were being served: What is he
like-and what is his narue-and where is be?n
"Well, said John, warfly, -s'heslike al young
fellows Of his age Hes quite young, you know
NOT over thirty, should say-a mere boy, in
fact, but clever alented-versatile.v
Unmarried, of course said the ehatty
little woman
'tOh, yes!r said John, IN matter Of course tone
but he caught himself abruptly-then stared
at aTlki af
side-face of his questioner, and said oh yes!
Yes, indeed! He's unmarried. Old bachelor
| like myself you know Hal ha!s
so he's not like the young man here that dis
tinguished himself last nightF said the little
woman, archfy.
The fork in Johns hand half-Iifted to his lips,
faltered and fell back toward his plate.
why what's that" said John, in a strange
voice; II hadn't heard anthing about It'll mean
l haven't heard anything about any young man.
| What was itF'
Haven't heard anything about the elope
mentf exclaimed the little woman,
/ in astonisment. s'Why-- it's been the talk of
the town all morning. Elopement in high
/ lHeson of a grandfather, name of Hines, or
/ Hines or something, and preachers daughter
Josie somebody--didn't catch her last name.
Wonder if you don't know the parties Why,
/ Mr. Mckinney, are you illss
'Oh, no-not at air. saId.John: 'sDon't men
| ton it HaAha just eating too rapidly that's
/ all 30 on with-you were saying that Bert and
| Josie had really clipped
What Bertlp asked the little woman quickly.
why, did say Bertlr said John, with a
| guilty look II meant Haines of course, you
know-Haines and Josie. And did they really
elopel'
':Thats the report answered the little
woman as though celebrating some important
evidence; land they say, too. that the plot of the
| runaway WAS quite ingenious. 1t seems the
| young lovers were assisted in their fight by
some old fellow friend of the young mans
L hxr Nv fox INN lx9n
| Johns face was ashen.
.sNo-no~ he gasped painfully: "Go on-go on
Tell me more about -the-the old fellow
the old reprobate! And is he still at Target
| Eyes, said the little woman. anxiously re-
! gardiDg the strange demeanor of her companion
They say, though that the law can do nothing
with him, and that this fact only intensifes the
agony of the broken harted parents it seems
! they have, till now, regarded him both as a
| gentleman and family friend in whom
81 really am III, Hmoaned John, wavering1y rising
4 to his feet but beg you not to De alarmed
Tell your little boy to come to my room where
will retire at once and send for my physician. 1t
is simply nervous attack am often troubled
so, and only perfect quiet and seclusion restores
me- You have done me great honor Mrs
Mrs Miller, sighed the sympathetic little
woman, MRS. Miller,-and thank you more
| than have words to express He bowed Imply
/ turned through side door opening on stair,
| and tottered TO his room.
1 During the three weeks illness through which
| ne passed. John mad every attentlon-Tnuch
4 more, indeed, than he had Consciousness to APP
1 preciate For the most part his mind wandered,
! and he talked of curious things, and laughedhys
| terically, and serenaded nermaids that dwelt
in grassy seas of dew, and were bald headed
like himself He played upon fourteen jointed
| flute of solid gold, with diamond holes, and keys
carved out of thawless ice His old father
/ came at first to take him home; but he could
| not be moved, the doctor said.
/ Two weeks of Johns illness had worn away
when very serious looking young man, in a trav-
cling duster and high hat came up the stairs
| to see him. A handsome young lady was cling
| ing to his arm. 1t was Bert and Josie. She
had guessed the very date of their forgiveness.
John wakeHed even clearer IN mind than usual
I that afternoon. He recognized his old chum at
a glance, and Josie-now Berts wife Yes, he
comprehended that He was holding hand of
each when another figure entered. His thin
white fingers loosened their clasp, and he held
hand toward the new conner. Here" he said.
| lis my best friend in the world-B Bert, you and
Josie viii love her know; for this is Mrs
| Mrs" MRS Miller" said the radient little wo-
man. Yes Mrs. Miller" said John, very
| proudly.