The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-18
SOMEHOW.

II do not" Mrs Elice would say, II do not like
reticence in families Let there be feeling of
confidence, and let us talk things over together
comfortably"
1t was in accordance with this habit that there
had been rallying of the domestic forces and
gathering in the library of their country home,
where father, mother, two sisters and one
brother sat, as just stated, in conclaye.
The occasion was momentous, and the subject
under discussion presented obstacles to the
| placid and comfortable progress usual at these
domestic cabinet meetings Manette the
younger daughter, had received, and, so far as
she had power to do SO, had accepted
an offer of marriage, and this deeply
| interesting event was now under discussion.
Manette, impelled by some innate instinct Tor
dramatic situation, had placed herself in the
| middle of the room, while about her, as the
| figure in which the interest focused, were
| grouped the others, in various phases of depre-
catory protest. Mr.. Ellice, holding an open let
ter, was speaking He was mild and benev-
| client little gentleman, with fresh pink face and
| snow-white hair and beard reminding one oddly
| of cottonwood
sOf course you know. my dear child" he said
setting his gold trimmed spectacles upon his nose
and through them beaIning blandly upon
| Manette, that we are all thinking of your hap
| piness. Whatever may be the end of this mat
| ter, it is for that we are solicitous And so l
feel it necessary to give it our most careful con-
| sideration."
well, if you want me to be happy, papa
dear, said Manette, you must let me marry
| Frank. And l may as we'll tell you my mind is
made up about it, matter what you may all
| think" And Manette's pretty mouth wore
certain look of resolve resulting from familiarity
with her subject
"You need not adopt tone of defiance my
| dear. have not yet refused my consent" said
her father.
II don't see much use in talking it over if
Nettie's mind is made up: she won't pay any at
tention to what we say" said Reginald Ellice,
| acutely. He was just eighteen, and his wisdom
profound
'Oh, my dear, you know we could not allow
your sister to engage herself to any one till we
| had all talked it over comfortably" said Mrs.
Elliee.
''This young man, Manette," continued Mr.
Ellice, looking intentiy at the letter he held, as
| though to summon the writer to their midst
| sis, as understand it, sort of an artist. ehF
II don't know why you say "a sort of an artist
| papa. He is real artist, and a very talented
| one; and, oh, papa, he is so handsome!"
''Ah? | am glad he is likely to be ornamental
| only hope to find him equally useful. How does
| he gain his living Manette2"
! why papa, what question: By selling his
| pictures, of course"
HAS he no other source of incomes Does he
do nothing else for his supportp
why no. OF course not What sort of an
| artist would he be to be mixing up with other
professionsg What should you think of doctor
| or a lawyer who worked at any other calling
while waiting for practice2'
my dear, l only asked; did not not know.
| And about how much do you think he has per
| annum upon which to support wife?'
"Oh, Idon't know, papa, I'm sure. 1 suppose
that depends on how many pictures he sells"
'How much does he get for them, NetteW
| This searching remark proceeded from Reginald
| and it appeared to have an irritating effect on
1 Manette, vino answered curtly-
Different prices"
| "And where should you live, my dear, if you
| married him2 How should you manager
Manage what, mammaW
| Mamma means everything" said the oldest
sister, joining in the discussion.
Everything is rather vague, Sara,' Manette
| replied
'.Should you keep house or boards" said Mrs.
| Ellice, endeavoring to put into words some of
| her longings for detail
Mercy, mammal" cried Nettie; keep house!
No. indeed; we couldn't afford that.
''Then probably you would board" said Sara,
! who was generally credited with the clear head
| of the family.
Il suppose" said Manette, ''that for while
we might live in rooms; In fact" she added in
| a burst of confidence, 81 shouldn't wonder if for
| a while we lived right on in Franks studio. Lots
| of artists do live So"
ST guess his pictures don't bring much" said
| Reginald. in a manner indicative OF sniff.
| "I'm not aware that said they brought a
thousand dollars apiece, did Il" said Manette,
| by way of retort
| 81 must say, Manette" resumed Mr. Ellice,
| that this appears to me to be a very impracti-
| cable affair; and l confess that have never
garded the artistic profession with much favor,
| unless, indeed, the individual talent was of a
| very high ORDER
| Il don't know what you mean by such slur-
| ring remarks papa. Frank is not rich, to be
sure, nor distinguished yet, but he is doing well,
| and his reputation is growing every year. He
| can take care of me- or he wouldn't have asked
me to marry him. 1t may not be in way to
! satisfy you and mamma. but it would content
me. love the studio life. Besides" she added,
II love him dearly"
''But there would be the cooking. Nettie, and
your washing" said Mrs. Ellice, practically. Il
had every comfort all your ME, and now to
think of your branching, OF and living in this
harum sort of fashlon You don't real
ize what it would b. oeileve 1t would break
jOh, no, mamma dear. No, it wouldn't
! You'll see. shall be as happy as queen AS
| for washing, why, Frank must have his things
washed somehow I'll get mine done the same
| way"
land your mealsp
Oh, the meals are no trouble. Well manage
those easily, somehow or other. Restaurants,
you know, and sardines and crackers and every
| thing comes ported and canned
| "You would lose your circle entirely, Nettie.
You would have no place to entertain.
| ceive calls, Or"
| "Oh, yes, mamma; everybody comes to the
| studios; and it's no end of fun"
II WISH" said Mr. Ellce, ''that Mr. Roscoe
| were somewhat more prominent in his line. It
| would be more satisfactory to me. Now if he
| were an artist like Church, remember his
painting of The Heart of the Andes we'll. 1t
| was on exhibition in New York at one time An
/ artist of eminence would be less Objectionable
j to me-"
i You seem to forget papa, that Frank is
young I don't suppose Church was always
| famous. Give us little time, and you will see"
said Manette, nodding her curly head sagely.
"What has Mr.. Roscoe painted, Manette2 /
do not recall any of his works"
/ 'Why. Papa, there was his Bathsheba,' at the
| very last spring exhibition. You saw it your
i colf dont ,ro,1 rannarn har2-a 1uoraar n ruhiAa