The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-29

Kate sang us French song 1t delighted
Jourdan, and when it was done he burst out in
admiration:
Il never heard anyone sing and play before, :"
he explained to show how his pleasure was
heightened
Il wish you could have begun with better
performer. But truly, did you never hear anyone
sing and play beforeF
mo one except a girl VINO lives near me at
home"
l thought that by this odd way of describing
her performance he might entertain US and par
italy atone for his ignorance of common
accomplishment but he added only: ''She has
never had a teacher"
Kate gave us the song again, and Jourdan di-
vided his time between watching her fingers and
listening to the music
Isn't that one of the best songs there are?" he
asked, when she was through.
Kate laughed. II shall play you everything
know. II you ttatter me IN this way.
Il suppose that | am an able fatterer?'
II am afraid you are
'There is one thing | want to ask if may:
the words-aren't you English!'
Il don't know; but English girls sing French
songs"
1t was kind Of her and adrot toput before him
the name of the language she had sung in so
that he might not blunder. She made me no
party to the craft and that was kind, too al
though [ did not think that her consideration
for HIM need have excluded me from her con-
fdence. But very often the singers know little
of language except what is in the song
Then they only learn for -"
For show exactly"
Jourdan bIushed. "You know more than the
song?7
Yes am something of Frenchwoman. It
is no credit to me that know more. But if l
had to acknowledge that was only pretender,
wouldn't you have been very sorry that you
forced me to such a confessiOn!
A narrow escape. Il am glad you are French"
he said. as if making the best of it. Il believe
had rather-ta}k to you in French"
What were hearing? Hates face was
written with establishment, but with another
emotion, too. Jourdan wondered what
error he had fallen into and looked from one of
US to the other for a solution.
DO you mean that you speak French-that
you can speak it now2" asked Kate, in a moved
voice.
''On, is that it, Why. yes; I'm French
man." He greatly relieved
Kate turned entirely away from the piano and
looked at him. He looked In return, puzzled at
her change.
Are you in earnest-are you Frenchl"
eyes, truly"
''Are-is-. Tell me about yourself"
''What can [ tell you?"
'Where did you come froms"
'Watereor 1t was the name of a township
near at hand.
How long have you lived there's"
'Snce was little"
"Your father and mother-are they" She
seemed to dread the answer and to delay it.
Are they"
"Living|
'My father isn't"
and your mother?"
He made words with his lips. He could not
refuse her. but the answer was not for every
one. Afterwards learned what it was; that he
did not know.
Warned by this, Kate made her questions
more guarded; but Jourdan, as far as he knew
it. had nearly exhausted his history. He lived
with his uncle; his fathers name was Emile; of
his mother, he whispered, he knew nothing-his
uncle knew nothing.
thought these very proftless Undergraduates,
and whatever her own object in them, Kate
soon comprehended that they were strange and
allowed US TO terminate our call. But Jourdan
was to see her the next day. Before we left she
even went to the length of inviting him to an
evening reception that her aunt, whom she was
visiting was to give her two days from then.
This did not like. | thought that Kate and I
had already done enough for him. To be sure
it was not necessary, with an older and
dteceat nan t9 Maf an p6
there is always the probability that the favors
will not be appreciated. and that when he devel-
ops from his raw state, he may show himself I'M
worthy of them. Jourdan, in private, was very
charming with his modesty and his unlooked-for
accomplishments, but at reception, where only
his crudeness would appear he would be quite
out of place determined that he should not
GO and when | thought of the matter, there
soon occurred to me a means of keeping HIM
away. In my device | founded myself upon ms
constituencies. and more upon his regard tor
Kate; it would only be necessary to point out to
him that he could not, with his doubt limited
wardrobe, make an appearance hitting the occa-
sion.
On the evening of the reception l went into
his room for moment to put my plan In execu-
ton He was i'll high spirits.
"kate-AliSS Sands" he began says she Will
give ME as many dances as she gives anyone and
sit with me while they last. She is very good
to me- You remember what an interest she
took in me day before yesterday when we were
there? To-day she just the same. Don't
think that anything is going to harpen,' she
said. for you will be disappointed But she is
interested in anyone who is French, and she
thinks that perhaps our families used to be
acquainted. How is thatl She drove out to my
uncle's this afternoon to find what he knows. l
hope he'll know something. Then she shook my
hand. and I'm going to make her picture She's
good, isn't she?"
Altogether too good. / was in fury, and all
the more ready to prevent his attendance at the
reception;
Are you going?" I asked.
an be ready to start when you are"
But You will wear dress suit| He turned
to me with questioning smile. "A dress suit"
/ repeated
81 don't know; what is it!"
"Well, it's dress suit"
He didn't understand II have this suit that
wear every day" l shrugged my shoulders.
Il nave OfuSHeu IL up DIS wen AS couiu. Doh
you think l will look we'll enough to sit in
corner9 You know | am not a very prominent
figure at dance"
l might have relented, but he added: "She ex-
poets me- Then was resolved again. That
isn't the way people dress"
He was only child in some things; trying to
determine himself not to 60 made his lip trem
ble do you suppose Kate thought l had a
dress suit"
Miss Sands expected you to be properly
dressed. of course"
But she thinks l will come; we talked great
deal about it."
Il am only advising you. Go il YOU want to. ="
NO; | will stay here. If she asks why /
didn't come you can tell her"
So | went and left him. Kate, from the re-
ception rooms, | entered the hall, and
came quickly out. was surprised to see her
foster parents follow her closely and to note that
they ali had the same singular expression.
Where is hep Kate asked