The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-24

going through the doorway, which he pre-
tended not to see. He did not stay long
after her departure, aad as he drove home
to the Temple he began to have doubts
whether he hadn't made a great fool Of him.
self and whether he hadn't behaved badly
toward her after all The following morn
ing he half made up his mind to run down to
Harrow and make peace with her, but then
the devil within him whispered that it
would be showing a great want Of frmness
In SO doing, and that it was her place, as the
wTongdoer, to plead for forgiveness, and his,
as the injured party, to grant it. And so he
allowed the day to go by, hating himself
and all the world, thoroughly wretched and
Ill at ease. He expected she would write,
admitting her fault But no letter came.
And now, when we see him the second morn
ing after the dance, he has been again dis
appointed. When he came from his bed
room he found three or four letters beside
his plate, but none from Mabel. He is in a
DIX, and does not know what to do.
Its her place to write, not mine" he tells
himself, "and yet I'll be hanged if go
through such another day as yesterday for
all the pride in the world; perhaps l was
wrong after ali, and it was her fathers do
Ing. Poor little darling, l was wrong, and
it's no good saying l wasn't. behaved like
brute; she didn't care for that fellow,
I'll bet my life on IL. I'll go down to Har-
row to-day By Jorel won't it be grand
making up again, amantium irB amoris, etc.
Those old Latin dogs knew what spooning
meant But won't stand any more of the
old mans humbug, or he'll be making some
real mischief. I'll run home as soon as get
q chance, talk it over with the governor,
and see if we cannot arrange matters so that
! can be married this .Lopg'-Hullo, hope
| that's not summons for chambers" as
there was a knock heard at his door, swell,
| Rogers, what is it!' to his clerk, who en-
| tered.
"A parcel and note, SIR"
"Put the parcel on the table and give me
| the note; thank you, that will do"
aFrom Mabel, at last" he exclaimed, as
he reads the direction in the hand that he
knows so we'll. IL knew she'd write, and it
was just as well didn't go down yesterday,
| after ALL"
whats thisr as he opened the sheet and
reads as follows:
| SIR-After your conduct toward me at
Mrs. Laneham's dance it is evident l have
been mistaken in your affection for me;
| your studied rudeness was remarked by
| many, and, after what has occurred, it is
clear that you wish our engagement to cease.
Indeed, there is no other course left open,
| and the bearer of this will deliver parcel
containing the presents you have given me
at various times l may mention that my
father quite approves Of the course am
taking, and has seen this letter. OF course,
we shall not expect to see you again at Har-
row. l remain yours, etc.,
MABEL LINTON
| "Good heavens! she can't mean itw is all
he says as he finishes reading, and then sits
i iii into, he in, for q
long while, without uttering a sound. Half
an hour has passed before he rises with a
deep sigh.
"Well, that's all over, suppose, and she's
| no better than the rest of them. A real live
lord is more attractive than struggling
| commoner, and coronet will send true love
to the rightabout any day. But didn't ex-
pect this of Mabel; did think she was true
grit Where are these precious presents
| was fool enough to waste my money on!
What shall do with theml Sell thema No
l don't think, after all, l could do that; they
were hers once. No; can't sell them. Con-
found it! I'm getting childish over them;
there, 60 up on that shelf" putting them in
an unoccupied division of his bookcase; "you
will serve memento where my loves
been put, if should ever want one; and
now for those pleadings."
III.
Six months have passed since we saw Percy
Fletcher last. And we are once again in his
chambers The long vacation is just over,
and work has commenced again. 1t is even
ing and the curtains are drawn, lighted
lamp is on the table, and bright fire in the
CRATE. Percy is sitting where first \
him, and, if we may Judge by his appearance
the last few months have not been the hap
piest Of his life. The lines round his mouth
have deepened, and one or two crows feet
are beginning to show in the corners OF hi:
eyes; he has a careworn look, and altogether
he seems aged. Opposite to him sits his one
chum, Glassdale, also barrister, who
has just returned to town, and the
two friends are talking over the event.
that have happened to each in the
Long" Glassdale has lately faller
q victim to his Cousin Mile Danvers
charms and is now pouring into Percy's cal
long detailed account of show it all hap
pened." Percy allows him to continue un
interruptedly until he has finished, and Their
offers his congratulations. Glassdale thank.
him, and then continues: "When wa
staying with my uncle's people lately a
Brighton l saw Miss Linton. She was dowr
there with her father, and Ivor was will
them as their guest"
"Ohp is all Percy's reply, but an anxious
inquiring look comes into his eyes which i
quite at variance with the careless air he at
tempts to assume. II spoke to her once Oh
twice on the pier, and, do you know, |
struck me- she was greatly altered for tn,
worsel She seems to have lost all her spirits
and she looks far from WE'LL
"Poor little darling" mutters Percy undel
his breath, and then aloud: II suppose She,
engaged to Ivor by nowl Not that II matter
to me, though"
"No. she isn't; at least, didn't hear any
thing about il. But he means IL II ever
man did, and follows her about like dog
don't like that fellow, somehow
VI should think not; he's q downright cad
He only wants her for her money; every on
can soc that" exclaims Percy, very warmly
and then, as IL ashamed of displaying 81
much emotion, he suddenly changes the sub
jet and inquiries:
"And how did tho old scoundrel, he