The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-25

woman, beginning TO explain But matters
have TO 20 rapidly at railway stations, and
before Mrs. Coventry bad arranged her plan
of action Colonel Seymour had shaken her
by the hand, said be was pleased TO meet
her. much Obliged for Der venturing on such
morning. put his little girl under her care
and desired the porter 10 see them to a car
rage. while he went to get their tickets.
Flight was impossible She had come 70 far.
and now she must go on.
An hour later the train was crawling
slowly past Saltwater. In one corner of the
carriage sat Mrs. Coventry. opposite her was
/ Bah at the far end Colonel Seymour
The usual civilitfes had been exchanged,
and since then the Colonel had sat in
trenched behind his paper. keeping ii up as
a screen, under shelter of which he was tax
ing stock OF his fair eighbor.
''Uncommonly fine young woman; re
markedly good style, tool' And then he
shook bis head and sighed compsssionately.
Far to pretty to be governess. III they
have some OF Mr. Beb's chums down there
to stay, therell be the very deuce to pay at
Ashridge Manor"
At this moment Bah took possession of a
seat which Mrs Coventry had offered next
to her. The movement attracted her father s
attention. What big girl that child was
growing She would be old enough to have
a governess herself soon Psbaw What
nonsense nextP And a single man like him,
too That would indeed set people talking
Colonel Seymour laid aside his paper moved
nearer the lady he was observing, and be-
gan:
Il hope you are not feeling the cold.
That's famously warm cloak you have
on"
The cloak was a handsome sealskin dol
man. Good gracious His voice seemed
rather pointed. Did he think it too hand
some for governess to wear2 To allay
his suspicion. if he had any, she said:
ut is Mrs. Coventry's cloak; she was
afraid might feel cold, and lent it to me. ;"
OF conrse ne remembered who Mrs. Gov
entry was, her great friend Kitty had told
him that it was she who had recommended
her.
Mrs. Coventry rose full fifty feet In the
Coloners estimation. ssAh," he thought,
now that's very kind action" and he
smiled approvingly, as he said:
j MY sister tells me that Mrs. Coventry is
charming-very nicer" and he looked as If
expecting to hear an emphatic affirmation.
"Yes-oh-I have known her so long that
| am hardly able to say. She has great
many friends" In what a sad voice she
said that. Poor girl! the Colonel felt quite
touched and drew nearer still. and to ex-
plain his reason for doing so said he felt q
drsught from the window.
Won't you have your rug9" she said,
tnhtbS Ohc iIOni DnDs anu WIappluB ncf
half her own. Your little girl and l will
share this one.'
Colonel Seymour protested, but allowed
his scruples to be overcome.
II don't think you know Mrs. Lambton,
my sister, do your
lis she at all like your asked Mrs. Gov.
entry, evasively.
I The Colonel smiled.
Some people think SC" he said. He was
not at all displeased at the way she had
aske d the question; there was a look in her
face which gave point to the inquiry.
Mrs. Coventry thinks Mrs. Lambton is so
handsome" she said nalvely.
MRS. Coventry herself is very cookbook
| ing. isn't she?"
"Oh, she mas lot of money, you know"
and she smiled rather meaningly.
| Not tenth part 80 pretty as you are, I'll
take Odds" thought the Colonel, but aloud
he said: Il abominate women with
money"
mo, really; do your" and she sighed audi
bly,. IL thought that was all men cared
women to have"
I'm sure you are not speaking from ex.
perience now" said the Colonel calamity.
'How do you known She spoke sharply,
and looked the Colonel so straight in the face
that he stammered:
oh am-judging from appearances"
Very unsound policy. People often are
not in the least what they seem to be-" and
she opened paper as il she intended to
read.
/ "Oh. oh we have claws under our veivety
paws, have we," thought the Colonel; and
then he betook himself to his paper, and on
they went in silence.
/ Dear me, the train seems to have come
to standstill" 1t was past 3 o'clock-they
had been due at Ashridge an hour ago
Mrs. Coventry felt her courage rapidly ebb
ing.
We've chosen a cheerful day to make
our journey on" Colonel Seymour said
with vain attempt to see the cause of the
obstruction. The windows were blocked
with snow; the carriage was all but dark.
| What can il be?' she asked anxiously
II really wish we were all back at home
again."
well, don't fancy that would mend
matters much in my case. NV house at
present is ali SKIES and sevens; they're hav-
ing general scrimmage there to see who
shall be master"
| lis that why Mrs. Lambton wants you to
- She stopped; her eyes had fallen on
Quite right-little pitchers sometimes
have long ears. So my sister acquainted
Mrs Coventry. did she, with her philanthro-
pic views regarding my future?"
Eyes, and she told you that Mrs. Coventry
had lots of money, didn't she?"
vi, tuc WuOlt tulUR is
ranged charmiDgly. You will be asked to
witness tableau vivant we shall play to-
gether."
"We What. you and Mrs Coventry You
are sure of her consent then?r
"Certain-when l ask Ii, which, with all
due respect to the lady, have not the slight.
est intention of doing"
No? thought it was because you had
made up your mind to marry that she had
i been asked To meet Won ~
i "On the contrary; my sister seemed to
think that the fair widow intends taking to
herself another husband, and has so ar.
ranged that should meet her. Wicked lit
tie intriguer, it was only at the eleventh
hour she permitted her hand to be seen, and
then it was too late to change my plans, or
should not have had the felicity of making
this journey in your company"
Il III.
Upon my word, you are the very pluck,
lest woman l ever knew In my lifel" Col
onel Seymour said enthusiastically.