The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-06

proud OF ner beauty: and she who knew nothlng
of his true nature, thought him as perfect as a
brother can be.
He kissed her, complimented her on her good
looks. then sat down and made himself pleasant.
She answered his remarks somewhat mechan-
ically, wondering all the time what effect her
news would have upon him. She hated things
hanging over her head, and had made up her
mind TO tell MIN of her intentions, if not to-day,
the next time she met him.
''The lawyers have almost settled your little
matter he said. Its lucky for you l made up
my mind at once; things haven't turned out so
we'll as we expected"
'She thanked him-not effusively as if he was
doing no more than she had right to expect.
Yet the thought flashed across her that before
she took his bounty she was by honor compelled
to make him acquainted with what she purposed
doing
by the by, Eugenia," said Herbert 'syou
know Ralph Norgatef'
Eyes. He called day or two ago. did not
see him"
'Well, expect he'll soon call again. He has
been forcing his friendship on me lately. In
fact-Fd better tell youths mind is made up
you are to be the future Lady Norgate Now
you know what to look forward to-"
Her face flushed. He troubles were beginning.
But James," she stammered, II was just
going to tell You. I am already engaged"
He raised his eyebrows. To express great
surprise was against his creed, and the idea
Eugenia was capable of disgracing herself did
not enter his head.
$50 much the worse for Norgate," ne said.
'Who is the happy man?"
spoke, timidly. His manner told her she had
good grounds for fear His mouth hardened,
but he still spoke politely and pleasantly:
my dear girl. don't discount my displeasure.
Tell me who he isg"
"Hs name is Gerald Leigh"
"a pretty name, and one which sounds ia
miliar to me. Now, who is Gerald Leigh2"
HE is sculptor"
"Ah!-now know. Son of that excellent old
tenant of my fathers. The genius he discovered
On dungheap. Eugenia, are you quite mad!"
He will be a famous man some day."
Herbert shrugged his shoulders in apecularly
irritating way.
'.Let him be as famous as he likes What
does it matterir
1.-The proudest family may be proud of allying
themselves to great artist"
Herbert looked at his sister with plying but
amused smile. My poor girl, don't be led
astray by the temporary glorifcation of things
artistic. When these fellows grow talked about,
we ask them to our houses. and make much of
them. It's the fashion. But we don't marry
them. Indeed, as they all begin in the lower
ranks of life, like your friend, they gensrally
provided with wives of their own station, &ho
stay at home and trouble no one."
She WINGED under the sting of his scorn. He
saw it, and knew he was pursuing the right
treatment for her disease.
Nov, this young Leigh" he continued,
what will he be for years and years. a sort of
superior stone-cutter. He will make what living
he can by going about and doing busts of mayors
and mayoresses and other people of that class,
who want their common features perpetuated.
Perhaps he may get job on tombstone for a
change. Bah! OF course, you have been testing
with me, Eugenia. / shall tell Norgate to call as
soon as possible"
II shall marry Gerald Leigh" said Eugenia
sullenly. All the same, the busts and tomb
stones weighed heavily upon her.
That" said her brother rising and still speak
ing with SMILE Il am not the least afraid of,
although you are of age and mistress of two
thousand pounds. You are not cut out to orna-
ment an attic. | need not say | must counter
mand that settlement 1t must wait until you
marry Norgate or some other suitab man."
He kissed her and walked carelessy away. To
all appearance, the matter did not him a
moments anxiety. He was a clever man, and
f1attered himself he knew how to treat Eugenia-
human nature should be assailed at its weakest
points.
His careessness was of course assumed, for,
meeting Mrs. Cathcart as she drove home,
Eugenias was sufficiently disturbing to
make him stop the carriage, seat himself beside
his aunt, and beg her to take another turn in the
park, during which he told her what had trans
pired.
They were fitting coadjutors. Mrs Cathcart
was delighted to hear of Sir Ralph's overtures
and was shocked to find that Eugenla was
entangled in some low attachment. She quite
agreed that the girl must be led not driven
v.
Girls nearly always make fools of themselves
once in their lives" said Mrs Cathcart cynicaily.
''Thev do" said James Herbert. who knew
something about the SEX ''All the same Eu
genia shall not. Find out all about the fellow
where he lives, and all the rest of it. She doesn't
know I've told you about this. Keep a sharp
lookout for any letters"
So the next day, when Eugenia and her aunt
were together, the latter, skilled domestic
diplomatist. commenced operations by regretting
that Mr.. Herbert although fond of statuary,
had never employed a sculptor to make his own
bust. Mrs Cathcart spoke so naturally that
Eugenla fell into the trap, and informed her that
Mr.. Herberts likeness had been taken in CLAW
two years ago by young sculptor then staying
at Acton Hall. 1t had been done for pleasure,
not profit, but her father had always intended to
order copy in marble. Mrs. Cathcart was de-
lighted. Did Eugenia know where the young
man could be found?
Eugenia did know. She told her with tinge
of color on her cheeks and took advantage of
the opportunity. and perhaps soothed her spirit
somewhat by expatiating on what great man
her lover was to become. Mrs. Cathcart in
return, spoke of geniuses as struggling poverty
stricken persons, to befriend whom was the
one great wish of her life. 1t was indeed pleas
ant for Miss Herbert to hear her aunt speak of
her lover she might of g hard working
seamstress or deserving laundress. She had not
yet written to Gerald She must find strength
to throw off her brothers scorn, and the busts
and tomhstones before she again met her lover
Sir Kalph Norgate called that morning. He
was q man of about forty. Not ill-looking, but
| with the unmstakabie appearance of one who
has led a hard life. He was rich and of fine old
| family 1t was clear to Mrs Cathcart that he
meant business Eugenia had met him several
times last year, and it was no news to her that
he was her ardent admrer. She was very cold
towards him to-day; but Mrs. Cathcart did not
chide her. She, clever woman knew that men
| like Norgate valued prize at what it costs
them to win it. So the baronet came, stayed
nfaHf yn0 hon r0yt h1xv
In fair train to declaration by and by
[To BE CONCLUDED NEXT sUNDAY.l
A al IF