The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-18


that uffisn gave you"
But you have the parcel to carry" re-
turned Eveline, hesitatlDgly.
II can manage both you and the parcel"
be told her with laugh.
you have never carried a parcel bsforein
your life" observed Eveline, as she accepted
his arm.
'.How 20 you know THAR" he asked, good.
bumoredly. We'll, il have never made
myself useful before. it is high time l began
now"
They bad left the lane, and were in the
high road. Strange to say, the walk, which
81 the commencement seemed so intolerable
10 Eveline, now appeared marvelously short.
81 shall never see him again, she thought,
with faint sigh. as they parted az the gates
OF North Lodge and it was with q very weary
little face that she entered the presence OF
the lady OF the house. BE had told her that
Mrs. Tnursby was very emiabie woman,
but still Eveline was sgreeably surprised at
the kindness Of her reception. She had bsen
TO many houses on the same errand before.
but nowhere had she been treated with such
consideration.
She was at North Lodge foT several days,
working away as il life had depended on it,
and, as she worked, her thoughts were Of the
handsome stranger who had rescued her
from the brutality of the tramp. Once he
came up the carriage-drive and, peering
from the window, she looked at his frank
face and stslwart figure with q queer little
ache at the heart. He was making q call on
the ladies OF the house, and, no doubt, was q
lover of-an accepted lover Ozone Of Mrs.
ThuIsby's daughters.
She felt relieved when her business was
over, and she stood waiting in the little rail-
way station for the train that was TO carry
her 10 London. There ia no place under the
SUB more depressing than a country rail way
station, and our little heroine had repeatedly
glanced at the clock, when tall form dark
cnad q Knd nm, IN
Ralph Vernon standing before her.
so you are going task to town." he said,
shaking hands with her as IL they had been
old friends 81 thought l would like to
come and ssy gcod-by."
How did you know2" che asked, in sur.
prise.
"Ob Grace Thursby told me-" he answer.
ed, carelessly; she is one OF the best girls
in the world
"she seems 7ery nice to her interiors;" ob.
served Evelile, a little bitterly: Il can
imagine how charming she can be TO her
equals"
who is her inferior?' asked Ralph Yer
non, quickly. Not you, by Jove She
YVES saying 10 me that you were a perfect
LADY"
"Vsry kind of her. am sure" said Eve
line, bsughtily; "onlY | am at loss to IN
derstsnd how such discovery came about"
There now, I have offended You" said
Ralph, contIitely; pat an such a clumsy
fellow"
Not at al" returned Eveliue huskily.
1T is very kind of your sfianced wife TO
take such an interest in me-"
My sfiaccsd wife, ne said. with a hear
~ laugh. II should like my brother John
e hear you soy that" lie was very close %
her now as they sat on the hard bench.
Don't You know that I fell desperately in
love with YOU that night when 1 rescued
you from the tramp-st east think l did
although 1t was not till I saw you peep at
me through the window that I knew how
exqusitely pretty you were. Be my wife.
and let me take care of you. not only on
dark nights, but all your life."
But Eveline shook her head, foS, although
her heart PROMPTED her to say yes" she
fell that she had no right to accept the sac.
fifce Der impulsive and hot-hesded lover
was willing TO make for her sake.
ut can not be-" she said, mournfully "It
IS mad Qujxotic idea. [ know, from what
l have heard Mrs. Thursby say, that you are
wealthy"
Hang the money! exclaimed Ralph. "If
you don't say yes Tll-Tll go lion hunting
in Africa, and get torn to pieces by wild an
imals."
But even this terrible threat had no effect
upon Eyeline; she was firm in her determin.
alton TO do right at any cost: she would not
even tell him where she lived. And so they
parted at the little railway station, and Eve
lire went back to town with less color in
u
strange gloomy look in her beautiful eyes.
The girl was brave-very brave and
wanted TO do right; but the struggle between
love and duty sapped her strength, aud laid
her on bed OF sickness from which it
seemed she would never rise. During her
illness she was continually calling upon
Ralph Vernon in such piteous accents that
1t drew tears from the eyes of those who
heard the poor weak voice.
Mother, Pm going to telegraph for this
ut is dreadful to look at her white face and
elittering eyes, and to hear her calling upon
his name from morning to might"
Who is this Mr.. Vernon?' asked the poor
mother.
II don't know" raid Nellie; "but found
a card with his name and address on il, and
intend to send for him. 1t must be some
one she cares for, and don't mean to let her
die IL anything can save her"
But perhaps he won't care to come" said
the mother, with the prudence OF age and
experience.
her eyes wet with tears; and there was look
OF pain n her sweet countenance for her
mother might be right, and what would be-
come OF poor Eveline il there should be no
answer 10 the telegram? The next few hours
were anxious ones for Nellie.
She stood up breathle&s with eagerness
when some one knocked softly at the door,
In another moment Ralph Vernon was in
the room and had grssped her by the hand as
If she bsd been an old friend
us she"?' He could not finish the SEN
tence.
she still lives" returned Nellie; and,
taking him by the hanc, Eyeline's sister led
Ralph into the next room where the poor
girl lay. Her mother was kneeling at the
eide of the bed, but Toee instantly and mo-
tened TO Ralph 10 take her place, aud as be
did so, Eveline opened her eyes and looked
at him. The sight OF that beloved face had
magical effect upon Eyeine She put out
her weak hand with little CRY tha. told
more plsinly than words how cruel her sac
rifice had been, and, as he gathered her in