The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-18


Or where the woods on eithe. hand
Lead onward into fsry-lsnd,
Where all the children dine at five.
And ell the playthings come alive.
Robert Louis stevenson,
ANNA story for Girls.
Eleanor Kirk In Youths Companion.I
1t would have been q hard position for
most girls, but for Anna Campbell il was ue.
scriblngiy painful After reading the story,
many readers will no doubt say that Anna
Campbell was very foolish girl Other
will feel that Der position was Q trying one,
and that she behaved as we'll as most girls
would have behaved under such ciTcum-
stances Here is the story:
The dining room in which Anna sat, was
bright, sunny apartment, with birds in the
windows and Maltese cat slumberipg be.
fore the open fire. The breakfast service
was very tasteful and pretty, and every CD.
pointment of the room betOkened comfort
and good cheer. Indeed. there seemed bat
one drawback TO perfect domestic harmony.
This was Anoa-
A fne-iooking gentleman. of forty. We or
Whereabouts, sat at the foot of the table and
dispensed beetsteak, fried potatoes and bon
mOts In a mann er which most persons would
have considered extremely agreeable.
Not SO to Anna. To her Colonel Demer
was al ogre,-a handsome, polished Blue
Beard, who smiled because his teeth were
fine and was kind 10 every body because of
MS 0verweening vanity and desire to DC
popular. In this respect, as In many 9TH
ers. Anna was very much mistaken.
| beautiful woman presided at the coffee
urn. There seemed the best possible under
standing between this lady and the gentle
man. There certainly should have been. for
they were husband and wife. What is more,
the lady was Anna's mother, who had bee n
married to Colonel Demer three or
four months. This is all there is
to offer an extenuation of Anna's unhappy
conduct
For some reason-inex piIcable ct least TO
Anna-she had been placed, on the day of
their arrival, on the Colonels left hand and
because she was too proud to have il seen
she did not like her seat, not because she
would have cared in the least about hurt.
ing the Colonel's feelings, she had taken it
regularly three times day and made her
self as disagreeable as possible. Howl By
an unsmiIing face, and an exaggeration Of
manner that made her appear like naughty
guest, instead OF a member Of the family.
Between Colonel Demer and his wife sat
Paul Demer, q young man of eighteen, an
invalid and cripple. He was seldom able
to come to the able. This was one of the
exceptional days. Some years previous y
fail on the ice had caused spinal trouble.
slight alienation.
At his right sat Lulu Demer. a girl of
eight, and on the other side OF the table
Frank Demer, lad of fifteen. This consti.
tuted the whole family.
I'VE are goisg to gather holly this morn
ing, Anna" said Colonel Demer. after he
had waited upon them all, land hope you
will make one of the party"
Thank you" replied Anna, stiffiy.
tDOps that mean Yea mop
inquired the gentleman, with q
smile, determined 10 vary the programme
q little by teasing. The girls face flushed
as she answered.
1t means no. Colonel Demer. il you will
have me be so impolite.''
Excuse me if am not able to see where
the impoliteness comes in, in politely declln-
ing an invitation" said the Colonel, In bis
usual quiet manner. He then turned and
said, II hope you feel able to ride az far as
the woods with US, Psul?"
There was an indescribable ten derness In
the mans voice as he addressed the invalid,
which was by no means lost on Anna, though
at that time she would not have admitted il,
even to herself,
"Oh, if only couldr' said Paul, with
wistfnl look toward Mrs. Demer of whom he
was very fond, and in whose judgment he
had learned to confide IF neither thinks
twill be all right" he continued.
"A ride this morning would be against
the doctors orders, Paul." said the lady.
But If you keep pretey well to-day, | think
by to morrow he will prescribe one himself
am very sorry to disappoint you, DEAR"
oh, it's no matter" said Paul, bravely.
THE fact is, forgot all about the doctor"
Mrs. Demer rose from the table and was
about to wheel the invalid away but stopped.
with her hands on the back of the chair, and
said
Il sm sorry to say that have an unpleas
ant duty to perform this morning; one j
should be very glad to disregard il that were
possible. My daughter wishes il to be an.
derstood by the family that she not Only
does net want any Christmas presents given
her. but that she will under no circum
stances accept any"
"Oh, isn't that pokyl" broke in the i'm.
pulsive Frank. "If were Anna; I'd take
them, IL threw them into the fire after
ward" And unable longer to restrain his
anger, he rose and left the room.
Il think you might at least have waited,
mamma, until / was out of the ROOM" said
Anna as she moved toward the door. II
there is one thing more disagreeable than
another. it is q scene."
Il agree with you, Anna" said Mrs.
Demer; 'and especially scene of this kind. |
| delivered your message while you were
present so that you might have an oppor-
tuuitJ VI WltuccelDk tuo eucCs Vi yOuf TO
solve. Now"-as Anna hesitated on the
you may be excused"
This little episode had taxed Mrs Demers
patience and nerve to the utmost Paul
reached up and took the hand that reskd on |
the back OF his chair, and Mr.. Deemer kissed
his wife and entreated her to think no more
about 1t. Frank returned to ask bis moth
ers pardon for being 90 hasty, and Lulu de-
clar shed never love Anna any more rs
long as she lived.
Two hours after, Anna was sitting in her
own room reading. Her door was locked
and bolted. quick, imperative knock
caused her to rise and open IL. Why she 90 /
secured herself against intrusion,
ls hard to tell; but she certainly seemed
very much in earnest as she attended to this
process OF locking and Earring; and yet q o
one ever invaded her privacy. not even her
mother.
please come to Mr. Paulw said fright.
sned chambermaid, who stood At the door.
Hes in one of his spasms, and l don't
know what to do"
We'll. if you dun't know, how should II"
replied Anna. tartly, rs she followed the
girl; for no other reason. 90 far % / can see,
han that the girls will was stronger than
hers.
Poor Paul. There be lay, pale and rigid, i