The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-26

without a shudder. Oh, the folly OF those Parl-
sian days-the silly romance, the faulty of it
ALL What burden she had laid upon herself
what a chain she had forged for her young life.
If this faithful admirer of hers, who looked up
to her with such respectful devotion, if he could
know how idiotlc she had been, how must his
admiration be changed to scorn, his regard to
loathing. 1t was the thought of this which made
her uncivil to him. She wanted to keep him at
arms length if possible She would not give him
reason to reproach her for hypocrisy and double
dealing.
But day in the utter desolation of her life
she turned involuntarily to this friend of her
childhood. How good and true he was, how
frank, and honest, and straightforward. Not so
elegant not so accomplished or fascinating as
Victor de Camillac; but what a thoroughbred
English gentleman, without fear or reproach-a
man to stand before kings and not be ashamed.
us Lady Darnel too i'll to come down to lunch!'
inquired Mr.. Colchester
''She is not ill-but she is very miserable, poor
| thing" answered Grace.
And she gives way to her grief said Dora,
II always envy the people who give way to their
grief They generally get over it so SOON"
Il do not think Lady Darnel will get over her
grief very soon, Aunt Dora, if my father is
taken away from us" said Grace, with stfed
sob.
How pale you are looking" said Edward Col
chester 81 don't believe you have had any
fresh air since this trouble began. Will you
come for turn on the terrace; it is lovely
afternoonl"
"Yes," said Grace, rising suddenly. II will
come think should 60 mad if l stayed in this
house any longer. I must 60 up stairs and hear
the last report of my father, and then will go
for ramble in the garden. You'll come, Aunt
Dora?7
NO. Grace, shall not leave the house. can
exist without fresh air"
Grace looked embarrassed, but having &C,
copied Mr. Colchester's invitation she could not
recede all at once. The withdrawal would be
too marked. She went away, and came back in
about ten minutes with white Shetland shawl
wrapped round her shoulders.
There is no change in the sick-room," she
said 'It is always the same answer-no change
no Improvement Oh, those nurses, what
machines they are! l wonder if they seem a
little more human when their own people are
ill., Come, Mr.. Colchester"
| She went out to the terrace, walking very
| quickly in her nervous agitation. 1t
| infinite relief to feel the fresh autumul breeze
| blowing over her face and hair to breathe in a
wider space. 1t seemed to her as if it were
weeks since she had felt that cool evening air,
and looked across that wide expanse of lawn to
| the wider region of oaks and beeches which had
been the fairy forest of her childish fancies.
| rh al Pol
Hood had gone unconscious to her
DOOM Through just such wood
| Fatimas brother had ridden to the rescue
of Bluebeards last victim. In just such wood
Beauty had dwelt meekly in the Palace of the
enchanted Beast; in just such wood she had
| bent over the dying monster, breathing soft
words of pity into his ear, and had seen him
restored to the grace and glory of manhood. the
perfect Prince of Fairyland. With all her heart
| Grace loved the domain that had been her cradle
| ard her playground.
| 1t was delicious afternoon the low sun golden
above the undulating line of beeches, with their
rounded crests dark against the glowing sky,
wave above wave, bowy masses Of dark yer
| dure soon to be touched with the varied hues of
| decay.
| For little while Grace and her companion
walked about the lawn in silence, she too I'M
happy to speak, he rackng his brain for some
thing appropriate, or at least an lnOffenSive sub
| ject of conversation
| How we'll the strawberries are looking" he
said at last, feeling as if the remark were flash
| of inspiration.
| Now the strawberries had been Sir Adams pc
| culiar pride He had filled them with new and
| rare conifers, with every variety of Towering
| shrubs, they had been fed with the most scen-
| tifc preparations that can enrich the SOIL they
| had been watched. and sheltered from the frost
and cared for as if they had been precious human
things.
| Yes, they are too lovely" said Grace II
never saw that picea nobilis look so superb as it
does this year. My father is SO proud of it.
| And to think that he may never see those trees
| again!"
| Here she began to cry and again Edward Col
| chester felt that he was brute. He seemed
predestined to say british things to put his
| finger tip upon open wounds.
| He walked by her side while she dried her
tears, his heart aching for her, his love flowing
| out towards her like a magnetic stream. They
| were in one of the winding shrubbery paths
| which they two had trodden many time gaily
| careessiy, as comrades and play fellows in
those remote days before his friendly feeling for
| a pretty girl had ripened into passionate love-
before trouble or care had darkened her. young
| life. 1t was path completely screened by conf
| fers and eYergreens out Of sight OF the house.
| In forest they could not have been more alone.
| At the end of the path there a little Swiss
| chalet, a fantastic summer house of carved
wood in which Mr.. Colchester had often had 5
| o'clock tea after a warm afternoon at lawn ten
| mis-. 1t was Graces favorite retreat in fine
| weather, and her books and drawing materials
| were scattered on the rustic table just as she
| had left them week ago. She looked at them
with a lstless air. and stopped to put the books
| together
Browning, Maud, La Petite Fadette," she
| said, as she gathered up the volumes. "How
/ happy was that last morning sat here reading.
Such warm morning--like July. Everything
was so lovely, the air SO delicious. forgot that
/ had care"
What could you have to forget week
ago9" asked Colchester.
"Oh, there are cares in every life. Everybody
has some kind of burden to carry. But never
knew what real sorrow meant till my fathers
life was in danger"
Her tears flowed afresh at the thought of that
peril, and then Edward Colchester forgot himself
altogether, and caught her in his arms and
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